Travel Nurse Housing in Missoula, Montana: Complete Guide
Missoula is a university town in western Montana’s mountain valleys, known for outdoor recreation, literary culture, and a community that values quality of life. Travel nurses find strong demand and Big Sky Country at its finest.
Providence St. Patrick Hospital and Community Medical Center serve Missoula.
Whether you are heading to Missoula 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. Missoula 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
Missoula 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.
Providence St. Patrick Hospital — A community hospital with Level II trauma capabilities serving western Montana.
Community Medical Center — A hospital with comprehensive medical and surgical services.
Travel nurse demand in Missoula 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 flu season and summer outdoor 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 Missoula 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 Missoula.
University District
Near the University of Montana with walkable streets and restaurants.
Pros: Walkable, close to hospital, dining options, university energy
Cons: Student noise, limited parking, higher rents
South Hills
A residential area with mountain views and trail access.
Pros: Mountain views, trail access, quiet, safe
Cons: Higher rents, car-dependent, limited dining
Downtown Missoula
A walkable downtown with restaurants, shops, and the Clark Fork River.
Pros: Walkable, river access, dining scene, community events
Cons: Limited parking, higher rents, cold winters
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Missoula is bikeable and walkable in the core. Small city with commutes under 10 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Missoula through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Missoula 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: $800 to $1,300 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $950 to $1,550 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,200 to $1,900 per month
Missoula’s housing market is tight due to growth. Rents have risen. Start searching early.
Many travel nurses in Missoula 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 Missoula, MT 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 Missoula
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Missoula that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Montana has no sales tax — No sales tax saves on purchases. Montana does have state income tax.
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Outdoor recreation is world-class — Skiing, fly fishing, hiking, and river floating are all easily accessible.
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A River Runs Through It — Norman Maclean’s famous story is set here. The fly fishing is legendary.
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Remote location means strong demand — Missoula’s isolation creates consistent travel nurse demand.
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
Missoula’s cost of living has risen above the national average with population growth. Housing is the biggest expense.
When budgeting for your Missoula assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Albertsons and Costco are main grocery options. The farmers market and local restaurants offer great value. 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. Missoula has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Rattlesnake Wilderness — Hiking and trail running just minutes from downtown.
- Clark Fork River — Floating, fishing, and riverside walking through the heart of the city.
- Snowbowl Ski Area — A local ski hill just 20 minutes from town.
- Glacier National Park — About 4 hours north, one of the most spectacular national parks in the country.
Take full advantage of your time in Missoula. 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
Missoula, Montana offers travel nurses a Montana mountain town with strong hospitals, world-class outdoor recreation, and a literary, community-oriented culture that makes travel nurses feel at home. With Providence St. Patrick Hospital and Community Medical Center 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 Missoula, 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 Missoula assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Missoula assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.