Travel Nurse Housing in Monterey, California: Complete Guide
Monterey is a historic coastal city on California’s Central Coast, famous for Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world. Travel nurses find moderate demand and exceptional natural beauty.
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula is the primary hospital.
Whether you are heading to Monterey 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. Monterey 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
Monterey 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.
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula — A community hospital with emergency, cardiac, and comprehensive medical services serving Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel.
Travel nurse demand in Monterey is generally moderate, with ED, med-surg, and ICU being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer tourist 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 Monterey 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 Monterey.
Downtown Monterey
Near Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf with walkable waterfront access.
Pros: Walkable, waterfront, restaurants, close to hospital, historic
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic, limited parking
Pacific Grove
A charming Victorian town on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula.
Pros: Beautiful Victorian homes, quieter, ocean views, monarch butterflies
Cons: Higher rents, quiet nightlife, limited dining
Marina and Seaside
More affordable communities east of Monterey on the former Fort Ord.
Pros: More affordable, newer development, beach access, more housing options
Cons: Less charming, car-dependent, farther from hospital
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. The peninsula is compact. Marina and Seaside are about 10-15 minutes from the hospital. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Monterey through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Monterey 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 $2,000 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,600 to $2,500 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,900 to $3,100 per month
Monterey housing is expensive. Marina and Seaside offer relative savings. The tourist season tightens supply.
Many travel nurses in Monterey 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 Monterey, CA 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 Monterey
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Monterey that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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California cost of living — High state income tax and expensive housing. Stipend rates typically reflect this.
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Marine layer fog is common — Summer mornings are often foggy, burning off by afternoon. Locals call it ‘June Gloom.’
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17-Mile Drive is free for residents — The famous scenic drive through Pebble Beach is free if you bike or have a local address.
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Military presence — The Defense Language Institute and Naval Postgraduate School bring a military community to Monterey.
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
Monterey’s cost of living is well above the national average, driven by housing and the coastal California location.
When budgeting for your Monterey assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Trader Joe’s, Safeway, and the Old Monterey Marketplace farmers market offer options. 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. Monterey has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium — A world-class aquarium on Cannery Row with incredible marine exhibits.
- 17-Mile Drive — A scenic drive through Pebble Beach with the famous Lone Cypress and ocean panoramas.
- Big Sur — One of the most dramatic coastlines in the world, starting just south of Carmel.
- Whale Watching — Monterey Bay is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world, with humpback, gray, and blue whales.
Take full advantage of your time in Monterey. 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
Monterey, California offers travel nurses a California coastal gem with world-class marine life, the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Big Sur at your doorstep, and a historic waterfront that makes every day off an adventure. With Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey, 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 Monterey assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Monterey assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.