Travel Nurse Housing in Knoxville, Tennessee: Complete Guide

Knoxville is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and home to the University of Tennessee. Travel nurses find a strong healthcare market, no state income tax on wages, affordable living, and incredible outdoor recreation in one of the most scenic regions of the eastern United States.

Knoxville’s healthcare is led by the University of Tennessee Medical Center and Covenant Health, the region’s two dominant systems.

Whether you are heading to Knoxville 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. Knoxville 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

Knoxville 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 Tennessee Medical Center — The region’s only Level I trauma center and academic medical center, affiliated with UT College of Medicine.

Parkwest Medical Center — A large Covenant Health facility in West Knoxville with comprehensive services.

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center — A Covenant Health hospital near the UT campus with strong medical and surgical programs.

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital — The region’s pediatric specialty hospital.

Travel nurse demand in Knoxville 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 flu season and UT football 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville.

Old City and Downtown

Knoxville’s revitalized downtown with restaurants, breweries, and proximity to the Tennessee River.

Pros: Walkable, growing dining scene, close to UT Medical Center, brewery district

Cons: Limited housing options, noise from nightlife, parking costs, some blocks quiet at night

Bearden

A residential area west of downtown with Kingston Pike restaurants and shops.

Pros: Good restaurants, residential character, moderate rents, central location

Cons: Car-dependent, limited walkability, traffic on Kingston Pike

Fourth and Gill

A historic neighborhood near downtown with Victorian homes and community character.

Pros: Historic charm, walkable to downtown, affordable, community events

Cons: Limited housing stock, some blocks transitional, quiet nightlife

West Knoxville and Farragut

Suburban areas with newer apartments, shopping, and proximity to Parkwest Medical Center.

Pros: Modern apartments, safe, close to Parkwest, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban sprawl, car-dependent, far from downtown, limited character

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Knoxville is car-dependent. The city is relatively compact with most commutes under 20 minutes. I-40 through downtown can be congested. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Knoxville through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Knoxville 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: $700 to $1,100 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $850 to $1,350 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,700 per month

Knoxville is very affordable. Your stipend goes far with no state income tax on wages. Downtown and Bearden are popular with travel nurses.

Many travel nurses in Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN 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 Knoxville

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

1. No state income tax on wages — Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. Combined with Knoxville’s low cost of living, this makes for excellent take-home pay.

2. Great Smoky Mountains are 30 minutes away — The most visited national park in America is right at your doorstep. Hiking, waterfalls, and scenic drives are minutes away.

3. UT football transforms the city — Neyland Stadium holds over 100,000 fans and game days are massive events. Plan accordingly.

4. Four seasons with mild winters — Knoxville has four seasons with relatively mild winters compared to the Midwest and Northeast.

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

Knoxville has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are at or below national norms. Gas is cheap. Dining out is very affordable.

When budgeting for your Knoxville assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Food City and Kroger offer great grocery prices. Knoxville’s growing food scene offers excellent value. Free outdoor recreation in the Smoky Mountains keeps entertainment costs very 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. Knoxville has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park — America’s most visited national park with stunning mountains, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of trails just 30 minutes from the city.
• Market Square — Knoxville’s charming downtown square with restaurants, live music, and seasonal events.
• Ijams Nature Center — Over 300 acres of natural space with trails, quarry swimming, and mountain biking within the city.
• Cades Cove — A scenic valley in the Smokies with an 11-mile loop drive through historic homesteads and abundant wildlife viewing.

Take full advantage of your time in Knoxville. 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

Knoxville, Tennessee offers travel nurses an affordable gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains with strong hospitals, no state income tax on wages, and world-class outdoor recreation at your doorstep. With University of Tennessee Medical Center and Covenant Health 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 Knoxville, 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 Knoxville assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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