Travel Nurse Housing in Madison, Wisconsin: Complete Guide

Madison is Wisconsin’s capital and a vibrant college town built on an isthmus between two lakes. Home to the University of Wisconsin, Madison offers travel nurses a strong academic medical center, beautiful natural setting, and progressive community with excellent quality of life.

Madison’s healthcare is led by UW Health and SSM Health (St. Mary’s Hospital). UW Hospital is a nationally ranked academic medical center.

Whether you are heading to Madison 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. Madison 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

Madison 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.

UW Hospital and Clinics — A nationally ranked academic medical center affiliated with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. Known for transplant, cancer, and research programs.

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital — A large community hospital in Madison with comprehensive services.

UnityPoint Health - Meriter — A community hospital with strong women’s health and orthopedic programs.

American Family Children’s Hospital — Part of UW Health, providing pediatric specialty care.

Travel nurse demand in Madison is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and OR being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season and Badger football 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 Madison 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 Madison.

Near East Side (Willy Street)

A progressive neighborhood near the capitol with Williamson Street’s co-ops, restaurants, and eclectic shops.

Pros: Walkable, eclectic character, excellent co-ops and restaurants, close to hospitals, bike-friendly

Cons: Parking is limited, can be noisy, higher rents near the capitol

Hilldale and Midvale Heights

A west-side neighborhood near the Hilldale shopping center and UW Health campus.

Pros: Close to UW Hospital, Hilldale shopping, moderate rents, residential calm

Cons: Car-dependent, limited walkability outside Hilldale, suburban feel

Downtown and Capitol Square

The walkable city center around the State Capitol with restaurants, farmers market, and lake access.

Pros: Walkable, Saturday farmers market, lake access, close to hospitals, cultural attractions

Cons: Expensive, limited parking, noise from State Street bars, busy on game days

Fitchburg

A suburb south of Madison with newer apartments and affordable rents.

Pros: Affordable, modern apartments, safe, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character, farther from UW Hospital

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Madison has a good bus system (Metro Transit) and is one of the most bikeable cities in America. Many travel nurses bike to work at UW Hospital from nearby neighborhoods. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Madison through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Madison are slightly above 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: $850 to $1,350 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,000 per month

Madison’s rental market is competitive, especially near the university. Furnished apartments are available but start searching early. The Near East Side and Middleton areas offer good value for UW Hospital nurses.

Many travel nurses in Madison 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 Madison, WI 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 Madison

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

1. Madison is incredibly bikeable — The city has excellent bike infrastructure and many nurses bike to UW Hospital year-round. Invest in cold-weather biking gear.

2. Badger game days transform the city — UW football and basketball games create massive traffic and crowds. Plan your schedule around game days.

3. Wisconsin winters — Madison winters are cold and snowy. Budget for serious winter gear.

4. The Saturday farmers market is legendary — The Dane County Farmers Market around Capitol Square from April through November is one of the best in the country.

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

Madison’s cost of living is above the national average, driven by housing demand from the university. Groceries are at national norms. Dining is excellent value with a strong farm-to-table scene.

When budgeting for your Madison assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Woodman’s and Aldi offer excellent grocery prices. Madison’s food scene emphasizes local and sustainable ingredients at reasonable prices. The many free outdoor activities on the lakes and trails keep entertainment costs low. 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. Madison has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Dane County Farmers Market — One of the largest producer-only farmers markets in the US, encircling the State Capitol building every Saturday.
• Lake Mendota and Lake Monona — Two beautiful lakes flanking the isthmus with swimming, paddling, and ice skating in winter.
• State Street — A pedestrian-friendly street connecting the Capitol to the UW campus with restaurants, shops, and bars.
• Devil’s Lake State Park — About an hour north, one of the most popular state parks in Wisconsin with stunning bluffs and swimming.

Take full advantage of your time in Madison. 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

Madison, Wisconsin offers travel nurses a beautiful college town with a nationally ranked academic medical center, stunning lakes, an exceptional food scene, and a progressive community that welcomes travel nurses warmly. With UW Health, SSM Health St. Mary’s, and UnityPoint Health - Meriter and a 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 Madison, 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 Madison assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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