Travel Nurse Housing in Maui, Hawaii: Complete Guide
Maui is Hawaii’s Valley Isle, famous for the Road to Hana, Haleakala volcano, world-class beaches, and whale watching. Travel nurses find strong demand at Maui Health and enjoy island living in one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations.
Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku is the primary hospital.
Whether you are heading to Maui 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. Maui 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
Maui 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.
Maui Memorial Medical Center — The main hospital on Maui with emergency, surgical, and comprehensive services, operated by Maui Health (Kaiser Permanente).
Kula Hospital — A small critical access hospital in upcountry Maui.
Travel nurse demand in Maui is generally strong, with ED, med-surg, ICU, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during year-round with winter whale season bringing additional demand. 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 Maui 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 Maui.
Wailuku
The county seat near the hospital with a local feel and more affordable housing.
Pros: Close to hospital, more affordable, local community, Iao Valley access
Cons: Less scenic for tourists, older town, limited beach access
Kahului
The commercial center near the airport with shopping and services.
Pros: Airport access, shopping, practical, hospital proximity, more housing options
Cons: Commercial feel, less scenic, windy, limited nightlife
Kihei
A sunny south shore community with beaches and a growing dining scene.
Pros: Sunny weather, beach access, restaurants, south shore lifestyle
Cons: Tourist traffic, farther from hospital, higher rents, car-dependent
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Maui’s two-lane roads and limited highway infrastructure mean traffic can be significant. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Maui through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Maui 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: $1,300 to $2,100 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,600 to $2,600 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,900 to $3,200 per month
Maui housing is expensive and limited. Wailuku and Kahului are the most practical and affordable options near the hospital. Start searching very early.
Many travel nurses in Maui 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 Maui, HI 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 Maui
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Maui that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Island cost of living — Everything is shipped to Maui. Expect 30-50 percent higher grocery costs.
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Whale season is magical — Humpback whales arrive November through May. You can often see them from shore.
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Strong demand, premium pay — Island isolation creates consistent demand and competitive pay packages.
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Road to Hana on your day off — The legendary 64-mile drive with 620 curves and 59 bridges is a must-do.
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
Maui is one of the most expensive places in Hawaii and the country. Housing and groceries are the primary cost drivers.
When budgeting for your Maui assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Costco, Safeway, and Times Supermarket are available in Kahului. Farmers markets in Upcountry and south Maui offer local produce. 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. Maui has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Haleakala Sunrise — Watch the sunrise from 10,023 feet at the summit of Haleakala, a transcendent experience.
- Road to Hana — A legendary coastal drive through rainforest, past waterfalls, and along dramatic sea cliffs.
- Whale Watching — Maui is the premier whale-watching destination in Hawaii, with humpbacks breaching from November through May.
- Snorkeling at Molokini Crater — A volcanic crater off the south shore with incredible visibility and marine life.
Take full advantage of your time in Maui. 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
Maui, Hawaii offers travel nurses Hawaii’s Valley Isle with strong nursing demand, Haleakala sunrise, the Road to Hana, world-class whale watching, and an island lifestyle that makes every assignment feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With Maui Memorial Medical Center 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 Maui, 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 Maui assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Maui assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.