Travel Nurse Housing in Lubbock, Texas: Complete Guide
Lubbock is a West Texas city on the Llano Estacado, home to Texas Tech University and a healthcare hub for the western Texas region. Travel nurses find no state income tax, an extremely low cost of living, and strong demand due to the remote location.
Lubbock’s healthcare includes UMC Health System, Covenant Health, and Grace Medical Center.
Whether you are heading to Lubbock 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. Lubbock 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
Lubbock 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.
UMC Health System — A Level I trauma center and teaching hospital affiliated with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Covenant Medical Center — A large hospital with comprehensive cardiac, surgical, and emergency services.
Grace Medical Center — A community hospital with emergency and medical services.
Travel nurse demand in Lubbock 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. 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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock.
Tech Terrace
A residential neighborhood near the Texas Tech campus with tree-lined streets.
Pros: Near hospitals, residential charm, walkable, moderate rents
Cons: Student noise during school year, limited nightlife, older housing
Southwest Lubbock
Newer developments with modern apartments and shopping.
Pros: Modern apartments, affordable, safe, good shopping
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character
Depot District downtown
A revitalized area with restaurants, bars, and entertainment.
Pros: Growing dining scene, entertainment options, close to hospitals, walkable
Cons: Small area, limited housing, quiet on weeknights
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Lubbock is car-dependent. The city layout is a grid and commutes are under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Lubbock through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Lubbock 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 $1,400 per month
Lubbock is extremely affordable. No state income tax and very low rent mean exceptional savings on assignment here.
Many travel nurses in Lubbock 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 Lubbock, TX 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 Lubbock
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Lubbock that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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No state income tax — Texas has no state income tax, making Lubbock one of the most financially rewarding markets.
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West Texas wind and dust — Lubbock is known for wind and dust storms, especially in spring. It takes some adjustment.
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College town energy — Texas Tech gives Lubbock a youthful energy with game days, restaurants, and cultural events.
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Remote location premium — Travel nurse pay packages may include premium rates due to Lubbock’s remote location.
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
Lubbock has one of the lowest costs of living in Texas. Groceries and gas are very cheap. Dining is extremely affordable.
When budgeting for your Lubbock assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. United Supermarkets and Walmart offer great prices. Lubbock’s Tex-Mex and barbecue are outstanding and very cheap. 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. Lubbock has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Buddy Holly Center — A museum celebrating Lubbock’s most famous son, rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly.
- National Ranching Heritage Center — An outdoor museum on the Texas Tech campus showcasing the history of ranching.
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park — The second-largest canyon in the US is about 90 minutes north with stunning scenery.
- Texas Tech Football — Experience the Red Raider football atmosphere at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Take full advantage of your time in Lubbock. 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
Lubbock, Texas offers travel nurses an extremely affordable West Texas city with no state income tax, strong hospitals, and demand-driven compensation that maximizes savings. With UMC Health System and Covenant Health 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 Lubbock, 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 Lubbock assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Lubbock assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.