Travel Nurse Housing in Nashville, Tennessee: Complete Guide

Nashville is Music City, but it is also one of the most important healthcare cities in America. More than a dozen major hospital companies are headquartered here, making Nashville arguably the healthcare capital of the country. For travel nurses, Nashville offers an extraordinary concentration of hospitals, no state income tax on wages, and a legendary music and food scene.

Nashville’s healthcare ecosystem is unmatched. HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital company in the world, is headquartered here. Community Health Systems, Ardent Health Services, and LifePoint Health also call Nashville home. Vanderbilt University Medical Center anchors the academic side. This concentration of healthcare companies means abundant travel nurse opportunities.

Whether you are heading to Nashville 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. Nashville 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

Nashville 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.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center — A world-renowned academic medical center and the top hospital in Tennessee. Vanderbilt offers travel nurses an elite clinical environment with cutting-edge research, high patient acuity, and nationally ranked programs.

TriStar Centennial Medical Center — An HCA facility in the Midtown area that is one of Nashville’s major acute care hospitals. It is a Level II trauma center with strong cardiac, oncology, and emergency programs.

Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West — A large community hospital in West Nashville known for its cardiac care, orthopedics, and women’s health services.

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt — A top-ranked pediatric hospital on the Vanderbilt campus. Pediatric travel nurses benefit from exceptional volumes and subspecialty exposure.

Travel nurse demand in Nashville is generally very strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, OR, and cardiac being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during tourist season in summer and fall, and winter flu 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 Nashville 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 Nashville.

East Nashville

One of Nashville’s trendiest neighborhoods, East Nashville features independent restaurants, coffee shops, live music venues, and a strong community of artists and young professionals. It offers a more local and authentic Nashville experience than the tourist-heavy downtown.

Pros: Trendy dining and nightlife, authentic local character, walkable main streets on Five Points, more affordable than downtown

Cons: Gentrification has raised rents, noise from music venues, some blocks are transitional, parking can be tight

The Gulch

A walkable neighborhood just south of Broadway known for upscale dining, boutique shopping, and modern apartment buildings. It is convenient to Vanderbilt and downtown hospitals.

Pros: Walkable and trendy, close to Vanderbilt and downtown, modern apartment buildings, excellent dining

Cons: Expensive rents, tourist-adjacent crowds, can feel more commercial than community-oriented

12South

A charming neighborhood south of downtown with an eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops along 12th Avenue South. It has a village-like feel and is popular with professionals.

Pros: Walkable main street, charming neighborhood shops, close to Vanderbilt campus, trendy but not pretentious

Cons: Higher rents, limited parking on 12th Avenue, residential areas are quiet at night

Germantown

Nashville’s oldest neighborhood, Germantown has been beautifully revitalized with restaurants, boutiques, and a farmers market. It is north of downtown and close to several hospitals.

Pros: Historic charm, excellent restaurants and farmers market, close to downtown hospitals, walkable core area

Cons: Small geographic area with limited housing options, higher rents for quality units, can flood during heavy rain

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Nashville is car-dependent with limited public transit. Traffic has worsened significantly with population growth, especially on I-24 and I-65. Choose housing near your hospital to minimize commute frustration. The city is relatively compact, so distances are manageable if you avoid peak traffic. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Nashville through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Nashville 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: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,200 to $1,900 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,500 to $2,300 per month

Nashville’s rental market has tightened with the city’s population boom, and rents have risen accordingly. Furnished apartments are available but competitive, especially near Vanderbilt and downtown. Start your search early and consider East Nashville or Germantown for a balance of character and value.

Many travel nurses in Nashville 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 Nashville, TN 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 Nashville

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

1. No state income tax on wages — Tennessee has no state income tax on wages and salary, which is a significant financial benefit for travel nurses. Combined with a moderate cost of living, Nashville offers strong take-home pay.

2. Broadway is for tourists — Lower Broadway is Nashville’s famous honky-tonk strip and a must-visit, but you will not want to live there. The noise is constant and it is expensive. Locals and savvy travel nurses enjoy East Nashville, The Gulch, or Germantown for a more authentic experience.

3. The healthcare industry is everywhere — Nashville is a healthcare company town. You will meet people in healthcare administration, medical devices, and health IT everywhere you go. This can be great for networking and career development.

4. Summer humidity is intense — Nashville summers are hot and humid, with temperatures in the 90s and high humidity from June through September. Air conditioning is essential, and your electricity bill will be higher during these months.

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

Nashville’s cost of living is above the national average, driven by rising housing costs as the city has boomed. Groceries are roughly at the national average. Gas prices are moderate. Dining out ranges from affordable hot chicken at Hattie B’s to upscale restaurants in the Gulch. The lack of state income tax on wages offsets some of the higher living costs.

When budgeting for your Nashville assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger and Aldi are the go-to grocery chains for value. Nashville’s food scene is outstanding, with hot chicken, barbecue, and meat-and-three restaurants offering incredible value. Take advantage of free live music throughout the city. 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. Nashville has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Live Music — Nashville has live music every night of the week at venues ranging from the historic Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium to intimate listening rooms on East Nashville’s Five Points and the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway.
• Hot Chicken Tour — Sample Nashville’s signature dish at multiple restaurants. Prince’s Hot Chicken, Hattie B’s, and Bolton’s are among the most famous, but nearly every neighborhood has its own contender.
• Percy Warner Park — Over 2,600 acres of urban forest with miles of hiking and running trails, scenic overlooks, and equestrian paths. It is one of the largest urban parks in the country.
• Country Music Hall of Fame — A world-class museum dedicated to the history of country music, with exhibits that appeal even to non-country fans. It is located downtown near the Ryman Auditorium.

Take full advantage of your time in Nashville. 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

Nashville, Tennessee offers travel nurses the highest concentration of healthcare companies in the country, no state income tax on wages, a legendary music and food scene, and a vibrant and growing city that is exciting to explore. With Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA TriStar facilities, and Ascension Saint Thomas 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 Nashville, 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 Nashville assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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