Travel Nurse Housing in Greenville, South Carolina: Complete Guide
Greenville has emerged as one of the best small cities in America with a stunning downtown, Falls Park on the Reedy, and a growing economy. Travel nurses find strong hospitals, affordable living, and a charming Southern city that punches well above its weight.
Greenville’s healthcare includes Prisma Health (the state’s largest health system) and Bon Secours St. Francis.
Whether you are heading to Greenville 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. Greenville 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
Greenville 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.
Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital — A Level I trauma center and the flagship of Prisma Health, the largest healthcare system in South Carolina.
Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown — A community hospital with comprehensive services in downtown Greenville.
Prisma Health Children’s Hospital — The region’s pediatric specialty hospital.
Travel nurse demand in Greenville is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season and fall foliage 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 Greenville 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 Greenville.
Downtown Greenville
One of the best downtown revitalizations in America with Main Street restaurants, Falls Park, and the Liberty Bridge.
Pros: Walkable, stunning Falls Park, excellent dining, close to hospitals
Cons: Higher rents, limited parking, tourist crowds on weekends
North Main and Stone Avenue
A growing corridor with restaurants, shops, and proximity to hospitals.
Pros: Close to hospitals, growing dining scene, community character, moderate rents
Cons: Some blocks transitional, limited parking, car-dependent outside the corridor
Travelers Rest
A charming small town north of Greenville on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Pros: Swamp Rabbit Trail, charming downtown, craft breweries, community feel
Cons: 15-minute commute to Greenville hospitals, limited housing, car-dependent
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. The city is compact with commutes under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Greenville through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Greenville 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: $850 to $1,350 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,000 per month
Greenville offers good value for the quality of life. Downtown is most desirable but commands higher rents.
Many travel nurses in Greenville 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 Greenville, SC 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 Greenville
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Greenville that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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SC is a compact state — South Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
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Downtown Greenville is spectacular — Falls Park, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and Main Street create one of the best small-city downtowns in America.
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Four mild seasons — Greenville has mild winters and warm summers with beautiful fall foliage.
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Mountains and beaches — The Blue Ridge Mountains are 45 minutes north and Myrtle Beach is 4 hours south.
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
Greenville has a cost of living roughly at the national average. Groceries are at national norms. Dining is excellent value.
When budgeting for your Greenville assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix and Aldi are popular grocery options. Greenville’s Main Street restaurants are excellent, and the growing food scene offers great value. 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. Greenville has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Falls Park on the Reedy — A stunning urban park with a waterfall, the iconic Liberty Bridge, and beautiful gardens in the heart of downtown.
- Swamp Rabbit Trail — A 22-mile paved trail connecting Greenville to Travelers Rest, perfect for biking and running.
- Main Street Dining — Walk Greenville’s beautiful Main Street and explore dozens of nationally recognized restaurants.
- Caesars Head State Park — A mountain park about 40 minutes north with stunning overlooks and hiking trails.
Take full advantage of your time in Greenville. 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
Greenville, South Carolina offers travel nurses one of America’s best small cities with a spectacular downtown, strong hospital systems, affordable living, and a quality of life that attracts people from across the country. With Prisma Health and Bon Secours St. Francis 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 Greenville, 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 Greenville assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Greenville assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.