Travel Nurse Housing in New Orleans, Louisiana: Complete Guide

New Orleans is unlike any other city in America. With its French Quarter, jazz clubs, Creole cuisine, and unmatched cultural energy, NOLA offers travel nurses a one-of-a-kind living experience. The city’s healthcare market has rebuilt and expanded since Hurricane Katrina, and the affordable cost of living adds to the appeal.

NOLA’s healthcare market includes LCMC Health (which operates University Medical Center New Orleans and several other hospitals), Ochsner Health, and Tulane Medical Center. Travel nurse demand is consistent, driven by the city’s unique demographics and healthcare needs.

Whether you are heading to New Orleans 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. NOLA 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

New Orleans 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.

University Medical Center New Orleans — A state-of-the-art facility opened in 2015, UMC is a Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital for LSU and Tulane medical schools.

Ochsner Medical Center — The flagship of Louisiana’s largest health system, located in Jefferson Parish. Ochsner is nationally recognized for its multi-specialty care.

Tulane Medical Center — A teaching hospital affiliated with Tulane University School of Medicine with strong programs in abdominal transplant and emergency medicine.

Touro Infirmary — One of the oldest hospitals in the country, located Uptown near Audubon Park, now part of LCMC Health.

Travel nurse demand in New Orleans 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 Mardi Gras season (February-March) and Jazz Fest (April-May) drive up short-term housing prices. 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 New Orleans 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 NOLA.

Uptown and Garden District

Stunning historic neighborhoods with oak-lined streets, antebellum mansions, and the St. Charles Avenue streetcar. Magazine Street offers miles of shops and restaurants.

Pros: Beautiful historic architecture, Magazine Street dining and shopping, St. Charles streetcar, near Touro Infirmary

Cons: Higher rents, flooding risk, street parking only, some blocks are quiet at night

Mid-City

A diverse neighborhood between the French Quarter and Lakeview with local restaurants, Bayou St. John, and City Park access.

Pros: Close to UMC, diverse dining scene, Bayou St. John, City Park access, affordable

Cons: Flooding risk, some blocks require awareness, limited nightlife compared to Uptown

Bywater and Marigny

Eclectic neighborhoods east of the French Quarter with colorful shotgun houses, live music venues, and some of the best restaurants in the city.

Pros: Vibrant music and dining scene, colorful character, walkable to French Quarter, unique NOLA experience

Cons: Flooding risk, some safety concerns, noisy from live music, limited parking

Lakeview

A residential neighborhood near Lake Pontchartrain that rebuilt beautifully after Katrina with safe streets and Harrison Avenue dining.

Pros: Safe residential streets, Harrison Avenue dining, close to City Park, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban feel, car-dependent, limited nightlife, farther from downtown hospitals

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. New Orleans has a streetcar system and bus service (RTA), but most travel nurses drive. The city is compact, and most commutes are under 20 minutes. Parking can be challenging in the French Quarter and Uptown areas. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in New Orleans through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in New Orleans are slightly 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: $850 to $1,400 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,700 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,100 per month

NOLA is affordable but housing costs spike during Mardi Gras (February-March) and Jazz Fest (April-May). If your assignment overlaps with these events, book housing well in advance. Uptown and Mid-City offer the best balance of character and affordability for most hospital locations.

Many travel nurses in New Orleans 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 New Orleans, LA 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 New Orleans

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

1. Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest affect everything — These two events transform the city. Housing prices surge, streets are closed, and the city’s energy changes completely. Plan your housing and schedule accordingly.

2. Flooding is a real concern — New Orleans sits below sea level and floods regularly during heavy rain. Check flood maps, avoid ground-floor apartments in flood-prone areas, and get renter’s insurance.

3. The food is life-changing — New Orleans has one of the greatest food cultures in the world. Gumbo, po’boys, crawfish, beignets, and Creole cuisine are just the beginning. Budget extra for dining out because you will not want to cook.

4. Louisiana has state income tax — Louisiana has a state income tax, but the very low cost of living and unique cultural experience make NOLA a worthwhile assignment for many travel nurses.

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

New Orleans has a below-average cost of living, making it one of the most affordable unique cities in the country. Groceries are at or slightly below the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out is exceptional value given the quality of the food.

When budgeting for your New Orleans assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Rouses Markets is the local grocery chain with good prices and selection. The city’s po’boy shops, corner stores, and casual restaurants offer incredible meals at very affordable prices. Free live music throughout the city keeps entertainment costs low. 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. New Orleans has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• French Quarter and Bourbon Street — Explore the iconic French Quarter with its wrought-iron balconies, jazz clubs, and some of the best restaurants in America. Bourbon Street is the tourist hub, but the quieter streets reveal the real Quarter.
• City Park and New Orleans Museum of Art — A stunning 1,300-acre park with live oaks, the Sculpture Garden, the Botanical Garden, and free outdoor activities.
• Live Jazz — Catch live jazz at Preservation Hall, Frenchmen Street, or countless neighborhood bars. New Orleans is where jazz was born, and the music scene is unmatched.
• Magazine Street — Six miles of locally owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafes running through Uptown. It is a perfect day-off stroll.
• Cajun Country Day Trip — Drive an hour west to Lafayette and Cajun Country for boudin, cracklin’, swamp tours, and a completely different Louisiana experience.

Take full advantage of your time in NOLA. 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

New Orleans, Louisiana offers travel nurses a one-of-a-kind cultural experience with affordable living, strong hospital systems, world-class food and music, and a spirit of celebration that makes every assignment memorable. With LCMC Health (University Medical Center), Ochsner Health, and Tulane Medical Center and a below 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 New Orleans, 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 New Orleans assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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