Travel Nurse Housing in Juneau, Alaska: Complete Guide
Juneau is Alaska’s remote capital city, accessible only by air or sea and surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and rainforest. Travel nurses earn premium pay packages here due to the remote location and limited local workforce.
Bartlett Regional Hospital is Juneau’s sole hospital.
Whether you are heading to Juneau 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. Juneau 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
Juneau 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.
Bartlett Regional Hospital — A community hospital and Juneau’s only hospital, providing comprehensive services to the capital city and surrounding communities.
Travel nurse demand in Juneau is generally strong, with ED, med-surg, and ICU being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during year-round due to limited local workforce. 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 Juneau 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 Juneau.
Downtown Juneau
The walkable downtown area near the cruise ship docks and state capitol.
Pros: Walkable, close to hospital, restaurants, waterfront views
Cons: Tourist crowds in summer, rain, limited parking, higher rents
Mendenhall Valley
A suburban residential area near the Mendenhall Glacier.
Pros: Affordable, residential, glacier views, quieter, more space
Cons: Car-dependent, farther from hospital, limited nightlife
Douglas Island
A quiet residential community across the Juneau-Douglas Bridge.
Pros: Quiet, waterfront access, mountain views, affordable
Cons: Bridge commute, isolated feel, car-dependent, limited services
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent but the city is small. Most commutes are under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Juneau through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Juneau 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: $900 to $1,400 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,700 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,200 per month
Juneau has very limited housing inventory. Agency housing may be the best option. Start searching extremely early.
Many travel nurses in Juneau 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 Juneau, AK 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 Juneau
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Juneau that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Premium pay packages — Remote Alaska locations often command the highest travel nurse pay in the country.
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No state income tax — Alaska has no state income tax plus permanent residents receive a Permanent Fund Dividend.
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Rain is constant — Juneau averages 62 inches of rain per year. Waterproof gear is essential.
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No road access — Juneau is only accessible by air or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system.
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
Juneau’s cost of living is well above the national average. Groceries cost 30-50 percent more than Lower 48 prices. Housing supply is severely limited.
When budgeting for your Juneau assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Costco and Fred Meyer are the main grocery stores. Shopping in Juneau is limited — many residents order online. 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. Juneau has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Mendenhall Glacier — Visit a massive glacier just 12 miles from downtown with hiking trails and a visitor center.
- Whale Watching — Juneau is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales from May through September.
- Tongass National Forest — The largest national forest in the US, with hiking trails accessible from town.
- Tracy Arm Fjord — A stunning fjord with tidewater glaciers, accessible by boat tour from Juneau.
Take full advantage of your time in Juneau. 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
Juneau, Alaska offers travel nurses a remote Alaska capital with premium travel nurse pay, stunning glacial scenery, world-class wildlife viewing, and the adventure of living in one of America’s most unique cities. With Bartlett Regional Hospital and a well 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 Juneau, 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 Juneau assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Juneau assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.