Travel Nurse Housing in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Complete Guide

Grand Rapids is Michigan’s second-largest city and one of the best mid-sized cities in America, with a thriving craft beer scene, arts community, and strong healthcare market along the Grand River. Travel nurses find excellent hospitals and an affordable, welcoming community.

Grand Rapids healthcare includes Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) and Trinity Health (Mercy Health Saint Mary’s).

Whether you are heading to Grand Rapids for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Grand Rapids has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.

Major Hospitals and Health Systems

Grand Rapids is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.

Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital — The flagship of the Corewell Health system with Level I trauma center and nationally recognized cardiac and neuroscience programs.

Mercy Health Saint Mary’s — A large Trinity Health facility with comprehensive medical and surgical services.

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital — Part of Corewell Health, a major pediatric facility serving western Michigan.

Travel nurse demand in Grand Rapids is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and OR being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.

Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses

Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Grand Rapids assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Grand Rapids.

East Hills and Heritage Hill

Historic neighborhoods near downtown with beautiful homes, walkable streets, and proximity to hospitals.

Pros: Historic character, walkable, close to hospitals, beautiful architecture

Cons: Older housing, parking permits, some blocks transitional

Eastown

A walkable neighborhood with independent restaurants, shops, and a progressive community.

Pros: Walkable, excellent local businesses, community feel, affordable

Cons: Limited parking, some noise, older housing stock

Downtown Grand Rapids

A revitalized downtown with restaurants, breweries, and cultural attractions along the Grand River.

Pros: Walkable, growing dining scene, ArtPrize venue, close to hospitals

Cons: Higher rents, limited parking, noisy during events

Kentwood

A suburb south of Grand Rapids with affordable apartments and easy highway access.

Pros: Affordable, safe, diverse community, highway access

Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Grand Rapids has a bus system (The Rapid) but most nurses drive. Commutes are short, typically under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Grand Rapids through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Grand Rapids are roughly in line with the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.

• Studio apartment: $750 to $1,200 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $900 to $1,400 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,150 to $1,800 per month

Grand Rapids offers good value. Heritage Hill and Eastown are popular with travel nurses near Butterworth Hospital.

Many travel nurses in Grand Rapids find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.

GSA Stipend Rate

The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Grand Rapids, MI area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.

It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.

Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.

Housing Tips for Grand Rapids

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Grand Rapids that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. Beer City USA — Grand Rapids has been named Beer City USA multiple times with over 40 breweries in the metro area. Founders Brewing is a local icon.

2. ArtPrize — Every fall, ArtPrize transforms the city into a massive open-air art competition and festival.

3. Michigan winters — Grand Rapids gets significant lake-effect snow. Winter gear is essential from November through March.

4. Michigan income tax — Michigan has a flat state income tax of about 4.25 percent.

For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.

Cost of Living Overview

Grand Rapids has a cost of living roughly at the national average. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate. The craft beer scene offers affordable socializing.

When budgeting for your Grand Rapids assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Meijer and Aldi offer excellent grocery prices. Grand Rapids’s brewery scene provides affordable entertainment. Lake Michigan beaches are free and beautiful in summer. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.

Things to Do on Days Off

One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Grand Rapids has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Brewery Tours — Visit dozens of craft breweries including Founders, Brewery Vivant, and Elk Brewing.
• Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park — A world-class botanical garden and sculpture park with works by Rodin, Calder, and other masters.
• Lake Michigan Beaches — Beautiful beaches in Grand Haven, Holland, and Saugatuck are about 30 to 45 minutes west.
• ArtPrize — The world’s largest open-air art competition transforms Grand Rapids every fall with art installations throughout downtown.

Take full advantage of your time in Grand Rapids. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.

Final Thoughts

Grand Rapids, Michigan offers travel nurses Beer City USA with strong hospitals, a thriving arts community, Lake Michigan access, and an affordable Midwest quality of life. With Corewell Health and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s and a average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.

Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Grand Rapids, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.

For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Grand Rapids assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Grand Rapids assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.