Travel Nurse Housing in Orlando, Florida: Complete Guide

Orlando is Central Florida’s largest city, known worldwide for its theme parks but equally notable for a growing healthcare market and a rapidly expanding metropolitan area. Travel nurses will find strong hospital systems, no state income tax, and a vibrant community beyond the tourist attractions.

Orlando’s healthcare market includes AdventHealth, Orlando Health, HCA East Florida, and the VA Medical Center. AdventHealth Orlando is one of the busiest hospitals in the state, and the region’s population growth ensures strong travel nurse demand.

Whether you are heading to Orlando 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. Orlando 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

Orlando 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.

AdventHealth Orlando — One of the busiest hospitals in the country by admissions, this flagship facility is a Level I trauma center with comprehensive services across all major specialties.

Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) — A Level I trauma center and the flagship of Orlando Health, located downtown. It is known for its trauma surgery and cardiac care.

Nemours Children’s Hospital — A major pediatric facility in Lake Nona serving children across Central Florida and beyond.

Orlando VA Medical Center — A large VA facility serving veterans across Central Florida with travel nurse opportunities.

Travel nurse demand in Orlando is generally very 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 winter season when tourists and seasonal residents inflate the population, and summer vacation months. 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 Orlando 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 Orlando.

Thornton Park and Downtown

Orlando’s most walkable neighborhood with charming brick streets, lakeside restaurants, and proximity to ORMC.

Pros: Walkable, Lake Eola access, close to ORMC, restaurants and nightlife, charming brick streets

Cons: Higher rents, limited parking, noise from downtown events, small geographic area

Winter Park

An adjacent upscale city with a beautiful Park Avenue shopping district, tree-lined streets, and Rollins College.

Pros: Beautiful Park Avenue, safe and well-maintained, excellent dining, chain of lakes, community character

Cons: Higher rents, farther from AdventHealth, car needed for commuting, quiet nightlife

Altamonte Springs and Maitland

Suburban areas north of Orlando with affordable apartments and proximity to AdventHealth Altamonte and the I-4 corridor.

Pros: Affordable, close to AdventHealth facilities, easy I-4 access, ample parking

Cons: Suburban sprawl, car-dependent, limited walkability, less character

Lake Nona

A master-planned community southeast of downtown with a growing Medical City that includes Nemours Children’s and VA Medical Center.

Pros: Modern development, close to Medical City hospitals, growing dining and retail, community design

Cons: Far from downtown, still developing, limited nightlife, car-dependent

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Orlando is car-dependent with limited public transit. I-4 is one of the most congested highways in the state, and commute times can be unpredictable. Live close to your hospital to avoid sitting in theme-park traffic. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Orlando through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Orlando are roughly 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: $1,000 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

Orlando offers moderate housing costs for a growing Florida city. Furnished apartments are available, and areas near your specific hospital are the best bet. Avoid living along the tourist corridor on International Drive unless you enjoy constant traffic.

Many travel nurses in Orlando 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 Orlando, FL 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 Orlando

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

1. No state income tax — Florida has no state income tax, which combined with moderate housing costs makes Orlando a strong financial choice for travel nurses.

2. I-4 traffic is terrible — Interstate 4 through Orlando is notorious for congestion and accidents. Plan your housing to minimize I-4 commuting, or at least to travel against the main traffic flow.

3. Theme park perks — Florida residents get discounted annual passes to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. Even a 13-week assignment qualifies you for some resident discounts.

4. Summer thunderstorms — Central Florida is the lightning capital of the country. Expect daily afternoon thunderstorms from June through September.

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

Orlando has a cost of living roughly at the national average. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate. Dining out is affordable outside the tourist areas, with excellent Latin American, Vietnamese, and Southern food throughout the city.

When budgeting for your Orlando assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix and Aldi are popular grocery options. Avoid eating in tourist areas around the theme parks where prices are inflated. Orlando’s Mills 50 district has incredible Vietnamese food at very affordable prices. 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. Orlando has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Theme Parks — Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld are right in your backyard. Florida resident discounts make visits more affordable.
• Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour — A relaxing cruise through the chain of lakes and canals connecting Winter Park’s beautiful neighborhoods. It costs only a few dollars.
• Wekiva Springs State Park — Crystal-clear springs perfect for swimming, paddling, and wildlife viewing just 30 minutes from downtown.
• Mills 50 District — Orlando’s Vietnamese neighborhood with outstanding pho, banh mi, and other Asian restaurants at very affordable prices.

Take full advantage of your time in Orlando. 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

Orlando, Florida offers travel nurses a growing healthcare market with no state income tax, theme park perks, warm weather, and a diverse community that extends far beyond the tourist attractions. With AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Nemours Children’s Hospital, and the VA Medical Center and a 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 Orlando, 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 Orlando assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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