Travel Nurse Housing in Honolulu, Hawaii: Complete Guide

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the most remote major city in the United States. For travel nurses, a Honolulu assignment means tropical beaches, stunning mountains, and a unique island lifestyle, but it also comes with the highest cost of living in the country and important logistical considerations.

Honolulu’s healthcare market serves the entire island of Oahu and receives referrals from the neighboring islands. Major facilities include Queen’s Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center, Kapiolani Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Moanalua.

Whether you are heading to Honolulu 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. Honolulu 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

Honolulu 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.

The Queen’s Medical Center — Hawaii’s largest private hospital and the only Level I trauma center in the state. It serves as the primary referral center for complex cases from all Hawaiian islands.

Tripler Army Medical Center — A large military hospital serving active-duty personnel and their families. Some travel nurse contracts are available through military staffing.

Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center — A major Kaiser facility serving Oahu’s Kaiser membership with organized care delivery.

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children — Hawaii’s only maternity and pediatric specialty hospital, part of the Hawaii Pacific Health system.

Travel nurse demand in Honolulu 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 tourist season and summer vacation months. 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu.

Kaimuki

A residential neighborhood with a walkable Waialae Avenue strip of restaurants and shops. It is more affordable than Waikiki and has a local feel.

Pros: Local character, walkable restaurant strip, affordable for Honolulu, close to Queen’s Medical

Cons: Limited parking, older housing stock, not on the beach, humid without trade winds

Kakaako

A redeveloping urban neighborhood between downtown and Waikiki with modern condos, SALT at Our Kakaako food hall, and waterfront parks.

Pros: Modern condos, SALT food hall, waterfront access, close to downtown hospitals, walkable

Cons: Expensive rents, construction noise, limited parking, can feel sterile

Manoa

A lush valley neighborhood near the University of Hawaii with cooler temperatures, hiking access, and a quieter residential atmosphere.

Pros: Cooler temperatures, lush scenery, close to UH campus, Manoa Falls hiking, residential calm

Cons: Rainy microclimate, farther from hospitals, limited nightlife, car needed

Waikiki

The famous beach district with oceanfront living, restaurants, and tourist energy. Some furnished condos are available for short-term rental.

Pros: Beach access, restaurants and nightlife, furnished options available, tourist-area amenities

Cons: Very expensive, tourist crowds, noisy, limited parking, not a local neighborhood feel

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Honolulu is car-dependent with a growing rail project. Traffic on the H-1 freeway is notorious. TheBus public transit system is functional but slow. Living close to your hospital is essential on this island. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Honolulu through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Honolulu are well 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: $1,600 to $2,400 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,900 to $2,900 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $2,300 to $3,500 per month

Honolulu has the highest housing costs in the country. Your stipend likely will not cover a solo apartment in most areas. Shared housing and studio apartments are the most practical options. Many travel nurses find rooms in shared houses for $1,200 to $1,800 per month.

Many travel nurses in Honolulu 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 Honolulu, HI 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 Honolulu

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

1. Hawaii pay packages are unique — Hawaii assignments often include higher stipends and may include travel bonuses to offset the high cost of living. Negotiate your package carefully and confirm that the numbers work before committing.

2. Shipping your car is expensive — Many travel nurses leave their car on the mainland and use public transit, a rental, or a bike. Shipping a car to Hawaii costs $1,000 to $2,000 and takes several weeks.

3. Cost of living is extreme — Everything from groceries to gas costs more in Hawaii. Budget carefully and understand that your daily expenses will be significantly higher than the mainland.

4. The experience is worth it — Despite the costs, many travel nurses consider Hawaii their best assignment ever. The beaches, hiking, culture, and island lifestyle create memories that last a lifetime.

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

Honolulu has the highest cost of living of any major US city. Groceries are 30 to 50 percent above the mainland average since most food is shipped in. Gas is the most expensive in the nation. Dining out is expensive across the board. Housing is the biggest expense by far.

When budgeting for your Honolulu assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Shop at Don Quijote and Costco for the best grocery prices. Plate lunch spots offer large, affordable meals with rice, macaroni salad, and protein. Take advantage of the countless free outdoor activities including beaches, hiking, and snorkeling. 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. Honolulu has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head — Relax on the famous beach and hike Diamond Head crater for panoramic views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.
• North Shore — Drive to the North Shore for legendary surf watching, shrimp trucks in Haleiwa, and a laid-back beach town atmosphere.
• Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial — Visit the moving memorial and museum honoring the events of December 7, 1941. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.
• Kailua Beach — One of the most beautiful beaches in the world on the windward side of Oahu, with turquoise water, soft sand, and kayak rentals.
• Hiking Trails — Oahu has dozens of stunning hikes including Lanikai Pillbox, Koko Head Stairs, and the Manoa Falls trail through a lush rainforest.

Take full advantage of your time in Honolulu. 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

Honolulu, Hawaii offers travel nurses a once-in-a-lifetime island experience with strong hospitals, tropical beauty, and a lifestyle unlike anywhere else in the country, though the high cost of living requires careful financial planning. With Queen’s Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente and a very high 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 Honolulu, 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 Honolulu assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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