Travel Nurse Housing in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts: Complete Guide
Martha’s Vineyard is a storied island off the coast of Cape Cod with charming towns, beautiful beaches, and a rich cultural history. Travel nurses find seasonal demand and a quintessential New England island lifestyle.
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital serves the entire island.
Whether you are heading to Martha’s Vineyard 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. Martha’s Vineyard 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
Martha’s Vineyard 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.
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital — A critical access hospital affiliated with Mass General Brigham, providing emergency, medical, and surgical services to the island year-round.
Travel nurse demand in Martha’s Vineyard is generally seasonal (strong May-October), 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 season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). 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 Martha’s Vineyard 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 Martha’s Vineyard.
Vineyard Haven
The main ferry port with a year-round community and practical amenities.
Pros: Year-round community, ferry access, close to hospital, practical
Cons: Less charming than other towns, ferry traffic, limited parking
Oak Bluffs
A colorful town with Victorian gingerbread cottages, a boardwalk, and nightlife.
Pros: Colorful character, nightlife, beach access, walkable
Cons: Tourist crowds in summer, seasonal closures, expensive
Edgartown
An elegant whaling captain’s town with white clapboard homes and upscale shops.
Pros: Beautiful architecture, harbor views, upscale dining, historic
Cons: Very expensive, quieter nightlife, tourist crowds
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car helpful but the island is small. Bike paths connect major towns. VTA buses run seasonally. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Martha’s Vineyard through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Martha’s Vineyard are in line with 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: $1,400 to $2,300 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,700 to $3,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $2,100 to $3,800 per month
Island housing is limited and expensive, especially in summer. Employer housing assistance is common. Year-round rentals are more available but still pricey.
Many travel nurses in Martha’s Vineyard 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 Martha’s Vineyard, MA 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 Martha’s Vineyard
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Martha’s Vineyard that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Employer housing often available — Many healthcare positions on the Vineyard include housing assistance due to the limited market.
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Ferry from Woods Hole — The Steamship Authority ferry from Woods Hole is the primary access. Book car reservations far in advance.
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Six distinct towns — Each of the Vineyard’s six towns has its own character, from rural West Tisbury to elegant Edgartown.
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Cultural history — The Vineyard has deep connections to African American history, presidential vacations, and literary culture.
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
Martha’s Vineyard’s cost of living is well above average, especially housing. Summer pricing is extreme. Year-round costs are more manageable.
When budgeting for your Martha’s Vineyard assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Cronig’s Market and Stop & Shop are the main grocery stores. Prices are above mainland. The farmers market in West Tisbury is excellent. 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. Martha’s Vineyard has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Beach hopping — From the cliffs of Aquinnah to the calm of Joseph Sylvia State Beach, every town has distinct beaches.
- Gay Head Cliffs of Aquinnah — Dramatic clay cliffs on the western tip of the island with a historic lighthouse.
- Cycling the Island — Bike paths connect the main towns, making cycling a primary mode of exploration.
- Menemsha Fishing Village — A picturesque fishing village famous for sunset views and fresh seafood.
Take full advantage of your time in Martha’s Vineyard. 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
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts offers travel nurses a Massachusetts island with seasonal nursing demand, charming towns, dramatic beaches, rich cultural history, and a New England island lifestyle that defines quintessential summer. With Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and a well 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 Martha’s Vineyard, 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 Martha’s Vineyard assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Martha’s Vineyard assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.