Travel Nurse Housing in Macon, Georgia: Complete Guide
Macon is a mid-sized Georgia city known for its cherry blossoms, music heritage, and very affordable living. Travel nurses find solid hospitals and one of the lowest costs of living in the Southeast.
Macon’s healthcare includes Atrium Health Navicent (Medical Center Navicent Health) and Coliseum Medical Centers.
Whether you are heading to Macon 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. Macon 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
Macon 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.
Atrium Health Navicent - The Medical Center — A Level I trauma center and the primary referral hospital for central Georgia.
Coliseum Medical Centers — An HCA facility with emergency and surgical services.
Travel nurse demand in Macon is generally steady, 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 Macon 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 Macon.
Ingleside Village
A walkable neighborhood with restaurants and shops.
Pros: Walkable, dining options, close to hospitals, community feel
Cons: Limited housing, some areas transitional
North Macon
Suburban area with newer developments and shopping.
Pros: Safe, modern apartments, affordable, family-friendly
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character
Downtown Macon
A revitalizing downtown with restaurants, music venues, and historic architecture.
Pros: Close to hospitals, growing dining scene, historic character, affordable
Cons: Some blocks need awareness, limited nightlife, parking
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Compact city with short commutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Macon through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Macon are well 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: $550 to $850 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $650 to $1,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $800 to $1,300 per month
Macon is extremely affordable. Your stipend will go very far.
Many travel nurses in Macon 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 Macon, GA 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 Macon
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Macon that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Very affordable living — Macon is one of the cheapest places to live in the Southeast.
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Cherry blossom capital — Macon has over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees that bloom spectacularly in March.
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Georgia is not a compact state — You will need a Georgia nursing license.
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Music heritage — Macon was home to Otis Redding, Little Richard, and The Allman Brothers Band.
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
Macon has one of the lowest costs of living in the Southeast. Everything is well below national averages.
When budgeting for your Macon assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger and Walmart offer great prices. Southern dining in Macon is outstanding and very affordable. 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. Macon has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park — Ancient Native American ceremonial mounds dating back over 10,000 years.
- Tubman Museum — The largest museum in the Southeast dedicated to African American art, history, and culture.
- Cherry Blossom Festival — One of the largest festivals in the Southeast celebrating Macon’s spectacular cherry blossom season.
- Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House — The former home of The Allman Brothers Band, now a museum celebrating the band’s legacy.
Take full advantage of your time in Macon. 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
Macon, Georgia offers travel nurses one of the most affordable cities in the Southeast with a Level I trauma center, rich music heritage, and genuine Southern hospitality. With Atrium Health Navicent and Coliseum Medical Centers and a very 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 Macon, 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 Macon assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Macon assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.