Travel Nurse Housing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Complete Guide

Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city in Oklahoma, offering travel nurses an affordable cost of living, friendly Midwestern hospitality, and a revitalized downtown that has transformed the city in recent years. OKC may not be the first city that comes to mind for travel nursing, but its strong hospital systems and low living costs make it a smart financial choice.

OKC’s healthcare market is anchored by several major systems including INTEGRIS Health (now part of Trinity Health), OU Health, Mercy, and SSM Health St. Anthony. The city also has a significant VA medical center. Travel nurse demand is steady across most specialties.

Whether you are heading to Oklahoma City 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. OKC 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

Oklahoma City 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.

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center — The state’s only Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital for OU Health Sciences Center. Travel nurses gain high-acuity experience with a diverse patient population.

INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center — One of the largest hospitals in Oklahoma, now part of Trinity Health. Located in the medical district, it offers comprehensive services including cardiac, oncology, and orthopedic programs.

Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City — A large community hospital on the northwest side with strong women’s health, cardiac, and surgical programs.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital — A major hospital near downtown with a Level II trauma center and comprehensive emergency services.

Travel nurse demand in Oklahoma City 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 tornado season in spring. 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 Oklahoma City 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 OKC.

Midtown

OKC’s most walkable neighborhood features restaurants, bars, and shops along several blocks centered around NW 10th to NW 16th streets. It is close to OU Medical Center and downtown hospitals.

Pros: Walkable by OKC standards, close to major hospitals, growing restaurant scene, newer apartment developments

Cons: Higher rents for OKC, limited parking near restaurants on weekends, still developing in some areas

Paseo Arts District

A charming arts district with galleries, restaurants, and monthly art walks along Paseo Street. It has an eclectic, creative atmosphere unique in Oklahoma City.

Pros: Artistic community, monthly gallery walks, unique character, affordable rents, close to downtown hospitals

Cons: Small geographic area, limited housing options, some surrounding blocks are transitional

Classen Ten Penn

A diverse neighborhood near the Asian District with affordable rents, incredible ethnic restaurants, and proximity to the medical district.

Pros: Very affordable, outstanding Vietnamese and Asian restaurants, close to hospitals, diverse community

Cons: Some safety concerns on certain blocks, limited walkability outside the main corridors, older housing stock

Nichols Hills and The Village

Upscale residential areas north of downtown offering quiet streets, nice parks, and a safe environment. They are close to INTEGRIS Baptist and Mercy hospitals.

Pros: Safe and well-maintained, close to north-side hospitals, residential calm, good shopping nearby

Cons: Higher rents, car-dependent, limited nightlife, suburban feel

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. OKC is very car-dependent with minimal public transit. The good news is that traffic is relatively light compared to larger cities, and most commutes take 15 to 25 minutes. Parking is generally free or very affordable. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Oklahoma City through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Oklahoma City 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: $650 to $1,000 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $750 to $1,200 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,000 to $1,600 per month

OKC is one of the most affordable major cities in the country for travel nurse housing. Your stipend will go extremely far, and you can find quality furnished apartments for well under your stipend amount. The medical district area and Midtown have the most convenient options.

Many travel nurses in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City, OK 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 Oklahoma City

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

1. Tornado awareness is essential — Oklahoma is in Tornado Alley. Know your tornado safety plan, identify shelters near your home and hospital, and download a weather alert app. Tornado season runs primarily from April through June.

2. The cost of living is remarkably low — OKC consistently ranks as one of the cheapest major cities in the US. Your housing stipend will stretch further here than almost anywhere else.

3. Oklahoma has a state income tax — Oklahoma has a state income tax with a top rate around 4.75 percent. Even with this, the overall financial picture in OKC is very favorable due to the extremely low cost of living.

4. The city has been transformed — If you visited OKC years ago, you would not recognize it today. The downtown area, Midtown, and the Bricktown entertainment district have been completely revitalized.

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

Oklahoma City has one of the lowest costs of living among major US cities. Groceries are below the national average. Gas prices are consistently among the cheapest in the country. Dining out is very affordable, with excellent barbecue, Tex-Mex, and Vietnamese food at remarkably low prices.

When budgeting for your Oklahoma City assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Shop at Crest Foods, a locally owned chain with unbeatable prices, or Aldi for budget-friendly groceries. The Asian District along Classen Boulevard has outstanding and affordable Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean restaurants. Almost everything in OKC is cheaper than you expect. 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. Oklahoma City has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Oklahoma City National Memorial — A moving tribute to the victims of the 1995 bombing, featuring the iconic chairs, reflecting pool, and survivor tree. The adjacent museum provides context and history.
• Bricktown Entertainment District — A revitalized warehouse district with restaurants, bars, a minor league ballpark, and canal boat rides. It is the city’s main entertainment hub.
• Myriad Botanical Gardens — A beautiful urban park in downtown with a Crystal Bridge tropical conservatory, seasonal events, and walking paths.
• Oklahoma River Trails — Miles of paved trails along the Oklahoma River for running, biking, and rowing. The Olympic and Paralympic Trials for rowing have been held here.

Take full advantage of your time in OKC. 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

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma offers travel nurses an extremely affordable cost of living, friendly community, and strong hospital systems that make it one of the smartest financial choices for travel nurses. With OU Health, INTEGRIS (Trinity Health), Mercy, and SSM 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 Oklahoma City, 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 Oklahoma City assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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