Travel Nurse Housing in Little Rock, Arkansas: Complete Guide

Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas and the state’s healthcare hub. With an extremely low cost of living and strong hospital systems, Little Rock offers travel nurses exceptional financial value in a Southern city with growing amenities and genuine hospitality.

Little Rock’s healthcare includes UAMS Medical Center, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Whether you are heading to Little Rock 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. Little Rock 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

Little Rock 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.

UAMS Medical Center — The state’s only academic medical center and Level I trauma center, affiliated with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Baptist Health Medical Center — The largest hospital in the Baptist Health system with comprehensive services.

CHI St. Vincent Infirmary — A large Catholic hospital with strong cardiac and surgical programs.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital — The only pediatric hospital in the state and one of the largest in the nation.

Travel nurse demand in Little Rock is generally steady, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and pediatric specialties 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock.

Hillcrest

Little Rock’s trendiest neighborhood with Kavanaugh Boulevard restaurants and shops and beautiful early 20th century homes.

Pros: Walkable, excellent dining, neighborhood character, moderate rents

Cons: Higher rents for LR, hilly terrain, limited parking near Kavanaugh

The Heights

An established residential area adjacent to Hillcrest with safe streets and family-friendly atmosphere.

Pros: Safe, moderate rents, close to hospitals, residential charm

Cons: Car-dependent, limited nightlife, quiet evenings

Downtown and SoMa (South Main)

The revitalized downtown and South Main districts with restaurants, bars, and the River Market.

Pros: Growing dining scene, River Market, close to hospitals, walkable downtown core

Cons: Some blocks need awareness, limited nightlife variety, can be quiet at night

West Little Rock

A large suburban area with shopping, dining, and newer apartments along Chenal Parkway.

Pros: Modern apartments, safe, good shopping, family-friendly

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

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Little Rock is car-dependent with limited public transit. Commutes are typically under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Little Rock through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Little Rock are 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: $600 to $950 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $700 to $1,100 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $900 to $1,500 per month

Little Rock is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Your stipend will go extremely far with quality furnished housing available at very low prices.

Many travel nurses in Little Rock 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 Little Rock, 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 Little Rock

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

1. Incredible financial value — Little Rock’s extremely low cost of living means travel nurses can save significant portions of their stipend.

2. UAMS is a career builder — The state’s only academic medical center offers valuable clinical experience.

3. Hot and humid summers — Arkansas summers are hot and very humid. Air conditioning is essential.

4. Arkansas income tax — Arkansas has a state income tax, but the extremely low cost of living more than compensates.

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

Little Rock has one of the lowest costs of living in the country. Groceries are well below the national average. Gas is cheap. Dining out is extremely affordable.

When budgeting for your Little Rock assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger and Walmart offer excellent grocery prices. Little Rock’s dining scene along SoMa and Kavanaugh Boulevard offers great food at remarkably low prices. 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. Little Rock has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Big Dam Bridge — The longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in North America spans the Arkansas River and is a popular recreation spot.
• River Market District — Downtown’s dining, shopping, and entertainment hub along the Arkansas River.
• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site — Visit the site of the 1957 desegregation crisis, a powerful piece of American civil rights history.
• Pinnacle Mountain State Park — A prominent peak just west of the city with hiking trails and excellent views of the Arkansas River valley.

Take full advantage of your time in Little Rock. 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

Little Rock, Arkansas offers travel nurses one of the most affordable cities in America with strong hospital systems, genuine Southern hospitality, and a growing food and arts scene along the Arkansas River. With UAMS Medical Center, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital and a low 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 Little Rock, 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 Little Rock assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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