Travel Nurse Housing in Mackinac Island, Michigan: Complete Guide
Mackinac Island is a car-free island in the Straits of Mackinac between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas, famous for fudge, Victorian architecture, and horse-drawn carriages. Travel nurses typically work at hospitals in nearby Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, or Petoskey.
The nearest hospitals are McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey and War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie. Mackinac Island has a small medical center.
Whether you are heading to Mackinac Island 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. Mackinac Island 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
Mackinac Island 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.
McLaren Northern Michigan (Petoskey) — A community hospital about 20 minutes from the Mackinaw City ferry dock.
War Memorial Hospital (Sault Ste. Marie) — A hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, about 55 miles from St. Ignace.
Mackinac Straits Health System (St. Ignace) — A critical access hospital in St. Ignace near the ferry docks.
Travel nurse demand in Mackinac Island is generally seasonal and moderate, with ED, med-surg, and primary care being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer tourist season (June-September). 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 Mackinac Island 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 Mackinac Island.
Mackinaw City
A mainland town at the south end of the Mackinac Bridge with year-round services.
Pros: Year-round community, affordable, ferry access, hospital nearby, practical
Cons: Tourist town, seasonal economy, cold winters, limited nightlife
St. Ignace
A town on the north side of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula.
Pros: Affordable, ferry access to island, Upper Peninsula access, year-round community
Cons: Small town, limited services, cold winters, UP remoteness
Petoskey and Harbor Springs
Charming resort towns about 20 minutes south with more amenities.
Pros: More amenities, charming downtown, Lake Michigan access, McLaren hospital nearby
Cons: Farther from island, higher rents, seasonal tourist traffic
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required on the mainland. The island itself is car-free (horses and bikes only). If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Mackinac Island through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Mackinac Island 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: $600 to $1,000 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $750 to $1,200 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $950 to $1,500 per month
Most travel nurses live on the mainland in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Island housing is limited and seasonal. Mainland housing is affordable.
Many travel nurses in Mackinac Island 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 Mackinac Island, MI 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 Mackinac Island
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Mackinac Island that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
-
Car-free island — No motorized vehicles are allowed on Mackinac Island. Transportation is by horse, bike, or foot.
-
Seasonal economy — The island and surrounding area are heavily seasonal. Many businesses close in winter.
-
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula — St. Ignace offers access to the UP’s wilderness, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation.
-
Fudge is everywhere — Mackinac Island is famous for its fudge shops. It’s part of the experience.
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
The Mackinac Straits area is below the national average for cost of living. Mainland housing is very affordable.
When budgeting for your Mackinac Island assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Grocery options are limited to small stores in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Petoskey has more options. 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. Mackinac Island has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Mackinac Island — Explore the car-free island with horse-drawn carriages, the Grand Hotel, Fort Mackinac, and famous fudge shops.
- Mackinac Bridge — Walk the 5-mile Mackinac Bridge during the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk.
- Headlands International Dark Sky Park — One of the best stargazing locations in the country, just west of Mackinaw City.
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore — Stunning multicolored sandstone cliffs on Lake Superior, about 2 hours from St. Ignace.
Take full advantage of your time in Mackinac Island. 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
Mackinac Island, Michigan offers travel nurses Michigan’s iconic car-free island with horse-drawn carriages, fudge shops, Victorian charm, dark-sky stargazing, and affordable mainland housing near hospitals in the Straits area. With McLaren Northern Michigan (Petoskey) and Mackinac Straits Health System (St. Ignace) 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 Mackinac Island, 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 Mackinac Island assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Mackinac Island assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.