Travel Nurse Housing in Hartford, Connecticut: Complete Guide

Hartford is Connecticut’s capital city and an important healthcare hub in southern New England. While often overshadowed by neighboring cities, Hartford offers travel nurses strong hospital systems, a moderate cost of living, and proximity to both New York City and Boston.

Hartford’s healthcare market includes Hartford HealthCare (Hartford Hospital), Trinity Health of New England (Saint Francis Hospital), and Connecticut Children’s.

Whether you are heading to Hartford 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. Hartford 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

Hartford 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.

Hartford Hospital — The flagship of Hartford HealthCare and a Level I trauma center with comprehensive services and strong teaching programs.

Saint Francis Hospital — A large Trinity Health facility known for its cardiac care and one of the busiest emergency departments in Connecticut.

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center — The only children’s hospital in Connecticut, providing pediatric specialty care across the state.

UConn John Dempsey Hospital — The teaching hospital of UConn Health in nearby Farmington.

Travel nurse demand in Hartford is generally steady to 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. 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 Hartford 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 Hartford.

West Hartford Center

A charming shopping and dining district in the adjacent town of West Hartford with walkable streets and a strong community.

Pros: Walkable, excellent dining, safe, community character

Cons: Higher rents, in West Hartford rather than Hartford, car needed for hospital commute

Downtown Hartford

The city center with revitalization efforts around the Connecticut Science Center and riverfront.

Pros: Close to Hartford Hospital, riverfront access, affordable rents

Cons: Quieter nightlife, safety varies by block, limited walkability outside the core

Glastonbury

An affluent suburb east of Hartford with excellent amenities and safe neighborhoods.

Pros: Safe, excellent schools, nice shopping, family-friendly

Cons: Higher rents, suburban, car-dependent, limited nightlife

West End

A residential neighborhood in Hartford with beautiful historic homes near the Mark Twain House.

Pros: Beautiful architecture, Mark Twain House, affordable rents, close to hospitals

Cons: Some blocks need awareness, limited dining, quiet at night

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Hartford is car-dependent. CT Transit bus service covers some routes but is limited. The metro area is compact with commutes under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Hartford through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Hartford are slightly above 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: $900 to $1,400 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,050 to $1,650 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,350 to $2,100 per month

Hartford area housing is moderate by Connecticut standards. West Hartford is the most desirable area but commands higher rents. Downtown Hartford is more affordable with shorter commutes to major hospitals.

Many travel nurses in Hartford 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 Hartford, CT 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 Hartford

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

1. Connecticut has high taxes — Connecticut has both state income tax and one of the highest costs of living in the country outside of Hartford proper.

2. Proximity to major cities — Hartford is two hours from both New York City and Boston, making weekend trips easy.

3. Insurance capital — Hartford is the insurance capital of America. The healthcare and insurance industries are the primary employers.

4. New England seasons — Hartford has beautiful fall foliage, cold and snowy winters, and pleasant summers.

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

Hartford’s cost of living is above the national average, though more affordable than coastal Connecticut. Groceries are slightly above national norms. Gas is moderate. Dining out is reasonably priced with good variety.

When budgeting for your Hartford assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Stop & Shop and Aldi are popular grocery options. Hartford’s restaurant scene has improved with new options downtown and along New Park Avenue. Fall foliage drives and state parks provide beautiful and free recreation. 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. Hartford has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Mark Twain House and Museum — Tour the beautiful Victorian home where Mark Twain wrote some of his greatest works.
• Wadsworth Atheneum — The oldest public art museum in America with an impressive collection of European and American art.
• Connecticut River Valley — Explore the scenic river valley with fall foliage drives, river cruises, and quaint New England towns.
• Day Trip to New Haven or Mystic — Visit Yale University and its famous pizza scene in New Haven, or the charming coastal town of Mystic with its seaport museum.

Take full advantage of your time in Hartford. 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

Hartford, Connecticut offers travel nurses a solid healthcare market in the heart of New England with access to world-class hospitals and easy proximity to New York City and Boston. With Hartford HealthCare, Trinity Health of New England, and Connecticut Children’s and a above 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 Hartford, 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 Hartford assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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