Travel Nurse Housing in Miami, Florida: Complete Guide

Miami is a vibrant, multicultural metropolis where Latin American culture, art deco architecture, and world-class beaches create a unique living experience. For travel nurses, Miami offers major hospital systems, no state income tax, and an international atmosphere unlike any other US city.

Miami’s healthcare market is large and diverse, including Jackson Health System (the public safety-net system), Baptist Health South Florida, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the University of Miami Health System. The diverse patient population and tourism industry drive strong travel nurse demand.

Whether you are heading to Miami 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. Miami 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

Miami 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.

Jackson Memorial Hospital — One of the largest public hospitals in the country and a Level I trauma center affiliated with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Ryder Trauma Center handles some of the highest trauma volumes in the nation.

Baptist Hospital of Miami — The flagship of Baptist Health South Florida with nationally recognized cardiac, cancer, and orthopedic programs.

Mount Sinai Medical Center — Located on Miami Beach, Mount Sinai is a major teaching hospital known for its cardiac and surgical programs.

University of Miami Hospital — Part of UHealth, the University of Miami Health System, offering comprehensive academic medical center services.

Travel nurse demand in Miami is generally strong, 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 season when the population swells with snowbirds and tourists. 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 Miami 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 Miami.

Brickell

Miami’s urban core with high-rise condos, restaurants, bars, and the Brickell City Centre. It is walkable and connected by Metromover.

Pros: Walkable urban living, Metromover access, vibrant dining and nightlife, close to Jackson Memorial

Cons: Expensive rents, parking is costly, noise from construction and nightlife, can feel transient

Coral Gables

An elegant planned community with Mediterranean architecture, tree-lined streets, and the upscale Miracle Mile shopping district.

Pros: Beautiful architecture, safe, excellent dining on Miracle Mile, close to UM and South Miami hospitals

Cons: Higher rents, car-dependent outside the Gables core, quiet nightlife, strict city regulations

Wynwood

Miami’s arts district with colorful murals, galleries, breweries, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Wynwood Walls is the centerpiece.

Pros: Vibrant arts scene, excellent dining and nightlife, walkable core area, trendy atmosphere

Cons: Higher rents, noisy on weekends, limited grocery options, parking is expensive

Coconut Grove

A bohemian waterfront neighborhood with a laid-back vibe, marinas, parks, and walkable streets.

Pros: Waterfront setting, laid-back atmosphere, walkable CocoWalk area, close to Mercy Hospital

Cons: Higher rents, limited transit options, quieter nightlife, some areas feel isolated

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Miami traffic is notoriously bad. Metrorail and Metromover help in limited corridors, but most travel nurses drive. Choose housing close to your hospital to avoid sitting on I-95 or US-1 for hours. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Miami through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Miami are 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: $1,400 to $2,200 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,700 to $2,700 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $2,100 to $3,200 per month

Miami’s rental market is expensive, driven by demand from international buyers and seasonal residents. Your stipend may not fully cover a solo apartment in desirable areas. Consider shared housing or neighborhoods slightly away from the beach for better value.

Many travel nurses in Miami 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 Miami, FL 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 Miami

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

1. No state income tax — Florida has no state income tax, which is a major financial benefit that partially offsets Miami’s higher living costs.

2. Spanish is everywhere — Miami is a bilingual city, and Spanish is the primary language in many neighborhoods and some hospitals. Basic Spanish can be helpful for patient care and daily life.

3. Hurricane season — June through November is hurricane season. Understand evacuation routes, your hospital’s storm policies, and keep emergency supplies on hand.

4. Traffic is brutal — Miami traffic rivals LA and Atlanta. Live as close to your hospital as possible and consider the Metrorail for your commute if the route works.

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

Miami has a high cost of living driven primarily by housing costs. Groceries are about 10 to 15 percent above the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out ranges from affordable Cuban ventanitas to expensive South Beach restaurants. The no state income tax benefit partially offsets the high costs.

When budgeting for your Miami assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Cuban ventanitas and Latin American restaurants offer incredible and affordable food throughout the city. Sedano’s and Presidente supermarkets offer Latin American groceries at good prices. Free beach access and outdoor activities help keep entertainment costs manageable. 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. Miami has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• South Beach — Miles of white sand beach, art deco architecture, and Ocean Drive’s restaurant and bar scene. South Beach is iconic Miami.
• Wynwood Walls — Outdoor street art museum featuring large-scale murals by artists from around the world in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District.
• Everglades National Park — Take an airboat tour through the vast subtropical wilderness just an hour from downtown Miami.
• Little Havana — Walk Calle Ocho for Cuban coffee, cigars, domino players, and some of the best Latin food in the country.
• Key Biscayne — A beautiful barrier island with Crandon Park Beach, Bill Baggs State Park, and stunning views of the Miami skyline.

Take full advantage of your time in Miami. 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

Miami, Florida offers travel nurses a vibrant international city with major hospital systems, no state income tax, world-class beaches, and a multicultural experience found nowhere else in the United States. With Jackson Health System, Baptist Health South Florida, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and UHealth and a high 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 Miami, 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 Miami assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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