Travel Nurse Housing in Mobile, Alabama: Complete Guide
Mobile is Alabama’s port city on the Gulf Coast with a rich cultural heritage, beautiful antebellum architecture, and the original Mardi Gras celebration. Travel nurses find affordable living, strong hospital systems, and warm Gulf Coast hospitality.
Mobile’s healthcare includes USA Health (University of South Alabama), Ascension Providence, and Infirmary Health.
Whether you are heading to Mobile 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. Mobile 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
Mobile 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.
USA Health University Hospital — A teaching hospital affiliated with the University of South Alabama and a Level I trauma center.
Ascension Providence Hospital — A large hospital with comprehensive services serving the Mobile community.
Mobile Infirmary Medical Center — The largest hospital in the Infirmary Health system with a wide range of services.
Travel nurse demand in Mobile is generally steady, 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 Mardi Gras 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 Mobile 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 Mobile.
Midtown
Mobile’s residential core with tree-lined streets and proximity to hospitals.
Pros: Safe, tree-lined streets, close to hospitals, moderate rents
Cons: Car-dependent, limited nightlife, older housing
Downtown Mobile
A revitalized downtown with restaurants, cultural venues, and Mardi Gras routes.
Pros: Growing dining scene, cultural attractions, close to hospitals, walkable core
Cons: Some blocks need awareness, limited nightlife variety, humidity
West Mobile and Springhill
A suburban area with shopping, newer developments, and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Pros: Safe, modern apartments, good shopping, family-friendly
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, far from downtown, limited character
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Mobile is car-dependent. Commutes are typically under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Mobile through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Mobile are below 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: $600 to $950 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $700 to $1,100 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $900 to $1,450 per month
Mobile is very affordable. Mardi Gras season (February-March) can affect downtown housing. Your stipend will go extremely far.
Many travel nurses in Mobile 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 Mobile, AL 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 Mobile
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Mobile that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Original Mardi Gras city — Mobile claims the original Mardi Gras celebration in the US, predating New Orleans. The parades and celebrations are genuine and less touristy.
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Gulf Coast heat and humidity — Summers are hot and very humid. Hurricane season runs June through November.
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Alabama income tax — Alabama has a state income tax, but the extremely low cost of living compensates.
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The food is outstanding — Mobile’s food scene includes excellent Gulf seafood, Southern cooking, and unique Mardi Gras traditions like Moon Pies and King Cake.
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
Mobile has one of the lowest costs of living in the country. Groceries are well below national averages. Gas is cheap. Dining is extremely affordable.
When budgeting for your Mobile assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Winn-Dixie and Walmart offer budget grocery options. Mobile’s Gulf seafood is fresh and affordable at local restaurants. 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. Mobile has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Mobile Bay and Gulf Shores — Beautiful Gulf Coast beaches are about an hour south at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
- Bellingrath Gardens — A stunning 65-acre garden estate south of Mobile with year-round blooms.
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park — Tour the WWII battleship and submarine on Mobile Bay.
- Downtown Mardi Gras District — Walk the beautiful streets of downtown Mobile lined with live oaks and historic architecture.
Take full advantage of your time in Mobile. 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
Mobile, Alabama offers travel nurses an affordable Gulf Coast city with the original Mardi Gras, strong hospitals, exceptional seafood, and Southern hospitality at its finest. With USA Health, Ascension Providence, and Infirmary Health and a low 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 Mobile, 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 Mobile assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Mobile assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.