Travel Nurse Housing in Kansas City, Missouri: Complete Guide

Kansas City straddles the Missouri-Kansas border and is famous for its jazz heritage, world-class barbecue, and a revitalized urban core. For travel nurses, KC offers a strong healthcare market, very affordable living, and a city that consistently surprises newcomers with its quality of life.

KC’s healthcare market spans both the Missouri and Kansas sides and includes major systems like Saint Luke’s Health System, HCA Midwest Health, the University of Kansas Health System, and Truman Medical Centers. Travel nurse demand is steady and diverse.

Whether you are heading to Kansas City 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. KC 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

Kansas City 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.

University of Kansas Medical Center — A major academic medical center and the region’s only NCI-designated cancer center. Located in Kansas City, Kansas, it offers travel nurses a premier academic environment.

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City — One of the highest-ranked hospitals in the Kansas City area with nationally recognized cardiac programs. Located on the Country Club Plaza.

Truman Medical Centers — Kansas City’s safety-net hospital system with a Level I trauma center serving a diverse and underserved population.

Research Medical Center — An HCA facility known for its neuroscience programs and comprehensive emergency services.

Travel nurse demand in Kansas City is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and cardiac 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 Kansas City 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 KC.

Westport

KC’s entertainment district with restaurants, bars, and live music venues. It is walkable, centrally located, and popular with young professionals.

Pros: Walkable entertainment district, excellent restaurants, central location, close to Saint Luke’s and Plaza

Cons: Noisy on weekends, parking is limited, higher rents for the area

Country Club Plaza

Kansas City’s iconic outdoor shopping district with Spanish-inspired architecture, upscale dining, and proximity to Saint Luke’s Hospital.

Pros: Beautiful architecture, upscale dining and shopping, walkable, close to Saint Luke’s

Cons: Higher rents, tourist-adjacent, limited grocery options, more upscale atmosphere

Crossroads Arts District

KC’s creative hub south of downtown with galleries, restaurants, First Friday art walks, and a growing number of residential lofts.

Pros: Vibrant arts scene, First Friday events, growing dining options, close to Truman Medical Center

Cons: Limited grocery options, some blocks are quiet at night, parking can be limited during events

Brookside

A charming residential neighborhood south of the Plaza with walkable shops, restaurants, and tree-lined streets.

Pros: Walkable commercial district, family-friendly, tree-lined streets, close to Plaza and Saint Luke’s

Cons: Higher rents, quiet nightlife, car needed for hospital commutes outside the area, limited furnished options

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Kansas City is car-dependent with a limited bus and streetcar system. The KC Streetcar runs through downtown and is being extended to the Plaza. Most commutes take 15 to 25 minutes depending on location. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Kansas City through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Kansas City are slightly below 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: $750 to $1,200 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $900 to $1,450 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,150 to $1,800 per month

KC is one of the most affordable major metros for travel nurse housing. Your stipend will go very far here. Westport and the Crossroads offer the best combination of walkability and proximity to hospitals. The Plaza area is beautiful but commands higher rents.

Many travel nurses in Kansas City 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 Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City

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

1. Two states, two tax situations — Kansas City straddles Missouri and Kansas. Where you live and work affects your state tax situation. Missouri has a state income tax, and so does Kansas. Confirm which state your hospital and housing are in.

2. The barbecue is legendary — Kansas City barbecue is a food group unto itself. Joe’s Kansas City, Q39, Slap’s BBQ, and Gates are essential stops. You will form strong opinions about burnt ends.

3. Four seasons with weather extremes — KC gets hot, humid summers and cold, icy winters. Severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes are possible in spring. Pack for everything.

4. The city is growing rapidly — Kansas City is experiencing significant growth and revitalization, especially downtown and in the Crossroads. New restaurants, housing, and attractions are constantly opening.

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

Kansas City has a below-average cost of living that makes it an excellent financial choice for travel nurses. Groceries are below the national average. Gas is cheap. Dining out is incredibly affordable, especially the barbecue that draws food tourists from around the world.

When budgeting for your Kansas City assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Price Chopper, Hy-Vee, and Aldi are popular grocery options. KC’s barbecue scene is world-famous and remarkably affordable by any standard. The city’s many free attractions, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, help keep entertainment costs low. 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. Kansas City has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Kansas City Barbecue Trail — Embark on a personal tour of KC’s legendary barbecue joints. Joe’s Kansas City, Q39, Slap’s BBQ, and Gates Bar-B-Q are must-visits.
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — A world-class art museum with free general admission featuring everything from ancient to contemporary art, set in a beautiful building and sculpture garden.
• Country Club Plaza — Stroll through KC’s iconic outdoor shopping district with its beautiful Spanish-inspired architecture, fountains, and upscale dining.
• First Fridays in the Crossroads — The first Friday of every month, the Crossroads Arts District opens its galleries and fills the streets with food trucks, live music, and art lovers.

Take full advantage of your time in KC. 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

Kansas City, Missouri offers travel nurses an extremely affordable city with strong hospitals, world-class barbecue, a growing arts scene, and a quality of life that consistently exceeds expectations. With University of Kansas Medical Center, Saint Luke’s Health System, and Truman Medical Centers and a 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 Kansas City, 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 Kansas City assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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