Travel Nurse Housing in Lake Tahoe, California: Complete Guide
Lake Tahoe straddles the California-Nevada border in the Sierra Nevada mountains, offering legendary skiing, crystal-clear alpine waters, and stunning mountain scenery. Travel nurses typically work at nearby hospitals while enjoying one of America’s most beautiful natural settings.
Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee serve the area.
Whether you are heading to Lake Tahoe 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. Lake Tahoe 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
Lake Tahoe 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.
Barton Memorial Hospital — A community hospital in South Lake Tahoe providing emergency, medical, and surgical services.
Tahoe Forest Hospital — A hospital in Truckee on the north shore serving the greater Tahoe area.
Travel nurse demand in Lake Tahoe is generally moderate, with ED, med-surg, and ortho (ski injuries) being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during ski season (December-April) and summer 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 Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe.
South Lake Tahoe
The larger town on the south shore with Heavenly ski resort and casinos across the Nevada state line.
Pros: More affordable, more services, Heavenly access, year-round community
Cons: Casino town feel, tourist traffic, can feel crowded
Tahoe City
A charming north shore town with shops, restaurants, and lake access.
Pros: Charming, lake access, north shore skiing, community feel
Cons: More expensive, limited services, seasonal closures
Truckee
A historic railroad town north of the lake with growing restaurants and shops.
Pros: Close to hospital, historic downtown, more affordable, year-round community
Cons: Farther from lake, heavy snow, I-80 traffic
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Chains or snow tires are mandatory in winter. Lake Tahoe is about 72 miles around. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Lake Tahoe through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Lake Tahoe 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: $1,200 to $1,900 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,500 to $2,400 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,800 to $3,000 per month
Tahoe housing is extremely seasonal. Ski season and summer drive up short-term rental prices. Many homes are vacation rentals. Year-round housing is limited.
Many travel nurses in Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe, CA 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 Lake Tahoe
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Lake Tahoe that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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California vs. Nevada — South Lake Tahoe is in California (state income tax). Stateline casinos are in Nevada (no state income tax).
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Winter driving requires preparation — Snow tires or chains are legally required November through April. Four-wheel drive is recommended.
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Elevation is significant — Lake Tahoe sits at 6,225 feet. Allow time for altitude adjustment.
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World-class skiing and snowboarding — Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood are all within 30-45 minutes.
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
Lake Tahoe’s cost of living is well above average, driven by the resort economy and vacation rental market that limits long-term housing.
When budgeting for your Lake Tahoe assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Safeway and Raley’s are available. Grocery prices are higher due to mountain logistics. Costco in Reno or Truckee offers savings. 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. Lake Tahoe has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Skiing at Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, and Northstar — World-class ski resorts surrounding the lake with thousands of acres of terrain.
- Lake Tahoe beaches and kayaking — Crystal-clear alpine water for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding in summer.
- Emerald Bay State Park — One of the most photographed spots in California, with Fannette Island and Vikingsholm castle.
- Desolation Wilderness — Pristine backcountry hiking with alpine lakes and granite peaks.
Take full advantage of your time in Lake Tahoe. 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
Lake Tahoe, California offers travel nurses a Sierra Nevada alpine paradise with world-class skiing, crystal-clear lake waters, stunning mountain scenery, and hospital access at both Barton Memorial and Tahoe Forest Hospital. With Barton Memorial Hospital and Tahoe Forest 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 Lake Tahoe, 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 Lake Tahoe assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Lake Tahoe assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.