Travel Nurse Housing in Outer Banks, North Carolina: Complete Guide
The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands along North Carolina’s coast, stretching from Corolla to Ocracoke. Travel nurses find seasonal demand in these remote beach communities with a laid-back coastal vibe and rich maritime history.
The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head serves the barrier islands.
Whether you are heading to Outer Banks 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. Outer Banks 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
Outer Banks 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.
The Outer Banks Hospital — A community hospital in Nags Head affiliated with Vidant Health (now ECU Health), providing emergency, medical, and surgical services to the barrier islands.
Travel nurse demand in Outer Banks is generally seasonal (strong May-October), with ED and med-surg being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer tourist season when population swells from 35,000 to 350,000+. 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 Outer Banks 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 Outer Banks.
Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head
The central OBX communities near the hospital with year-round services.
Pros: Close to hospital, restaurants, grocery stores, beach access, year-round community
Cons: Tourist traffic in summer, higher rents, flood risk
Kitty Hawk
A quieter residential community on the northern OBX.
Pros: Quieter, residential, beach access, more affordable off-season
Cons: Farther from hospital, seasonal closures, limited year-round services
Manteo
A charming island town on Roanoke Island with the Lost Colony history.
Pros: Year-round community, charming downtown, protected from ocean storms, historic
Cons: Sound-side not oceanfront, quieter, limited nightlife
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. The OBX is a long chain of islands connected by bridges and NC-12. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Outer Banks through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Outer Banks 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: $900 to $1,500 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,800 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,300 per month
OBX housing is extremely seasonal. Summer vacation rentals are expensive. Off-season (October-April) has much more availability at lower prices. Consider Manteo for year-round options.
Many travel nurses in Outer Banks 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 Outer Banks, NC 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 Outer Banks
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Outer Banks that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Population swings are dramatic — The OBX goes from 35,000 in winter to 350,000+ in summer. Hospital volume changes dramatically.
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Hurricane and storm risk — Barrier islands are vulnerable to hurricanes and nor’easters. Know evacuation routes.
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Limited services — Grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants are limited and some close off-season.
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Wild horses in Corolla — Wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs roam the northern beaches, a unique local attraction.
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
Outer Banks cost of living varies dramatically by season. Summer is expensive. Off-season costs are moderate. Everything costs more on barrier islands.
When budgeting for your Outer Banks assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Food Lion and Harris Teeter are the main grocery stores. Prices are above mainland. Stock up when crossing the bridges. 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. Outer Banks has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Beaches and Surfing — Wide Atlantic beaches with consistent surf breaks and uncrowded off-season stretches.
- Wright Brothers National Memorial — Visit where Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered flight in Kill Devil Hills.
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore — A protected coastline with wild beaches, lighthouses, and incredible fishing.
- Jockey’s Ridge State Park — The tallest active sand dune on the East Coast, with hang gliding and sunset views.
Take full advantage of your time in Outer Banks. 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
Outer Banks, North Carolina offers travel nurses North Carolina’s barrier islands with seasonal nursing demand, wild Atlantic beaches, Wright Brothers history, and a remote coastal lifestyle unlike anywhere else on the East Coast. With The Outer Banks Hospital and a above average in season, moderate off-season 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 Outer Banks, 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 Outer Banks assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Outer Banks assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.