Travel Nurse Housing in Hot Springs, Arkansas: Complete Guide
Hot Springs is a unique spa city built around natural thermal springs in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas. The only city in America within a national park, it offers travel nurses affordable Ozark living with historic charm.
CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs and National Park Medical Center serve the area.
Whether you are heading to Hot Springs 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. Hot Springs 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
Hot Springs 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.
CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs — A community hospital with emergency, surgical, and comprehensive medical services.
National Park Medical Center — A hospital providing emergency, medical, and surgical services to the Hot Springs area.
Travel nurse demand in Hot Springs is generally moderate, with 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 spring and fall tourist seasons. 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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs.
Downtown Hot Springs and Bathhouse Row
The historic spa district within Hot Springs National Park.
Pros: Historic, walkable, Bathhouse Row, restaurants, character
Cons: Tourist traffic, limited parking, older housing
Lake Hamilton Area
A residential area along the shores of Lake Hamilton.
Pros: Lake access, boating, fishing, scenic, residential
Cons: Car-dependent, farther from hospitals, variable housing quality
Jessieville and Highway 7 Corridor
Rural communities north of town in the Ouachita Mountains.
Pros: Very affordable, mountain setting, quiet, space
Cons: Remote, car-dependent, very limited services
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Hot Springs is small with most commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Hot Springs through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Hot Springs are 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: $500 to $850 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $600 to $1,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $800 to $1,300 per month
Hot Springs is extremely affordable. Lake Hamilton offers scenic living. Downtown has character but limited rental options.
Many travel nurses in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs, AR 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 Hot Springs
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Hot Springs that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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National park city — Hot Springs is the only city in America located within a national park.
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Natural thermal springs — Bathe in naturally heated spring water at the historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row.
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Horse racing at Oaklawn — Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is a major local attraction and employer.
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Arkansas cost of living is low — Arkansas consistently ranks among the most affordable states in America.
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
Hot Springs is well below the national average for cost of living. Housing, groceries, and utilities are all very affordable.
When budgeting for your Hot Springs assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Walmart (headquartered in nearby Bentonville) and Kroger are common. Local restaurants offer excellent 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. Hot Springs has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Hot Springs National Park and Bathhouse Row — Bathe in naturally heated spring water and explore the historic bathhouse district.
- Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine — Two beautiful lakes for fishing, boating, kayaking, and sunset watching.
- Ouachita Mountain Trails — Hiking and mountain biking in the surrounding Ouachita National Forest.
- Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort — Horse racing, gaming, and entertainment at one of the premier racing venues in the South.
Take full advantage of your time in Hot Springs. 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
Hot Springs, Arkansas offers travel nurses America’s only national park city with naturally heated thermal springs, Ouachita Mountain trails, beautiful lakes, extremely affordable living, and steady healthcare demand. With CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs and National Park Medical Center and a well below 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 Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Hot Springs assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.