Travel Nurse Housing in Pensacola, Florida: Complete Guide
Pensacola is a Gulf Coast city in the Florida Panhandle with sugar-white beaches, a rich naval aviation heritage, and affordable living. Travel nurses enjoy no state income tax, beautiful beaches, and a welcoming military community.
Pensacola’s healthcare includes Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Health Care, and the Naval Hospital Pensacola.
Whether you are heading to Pensacola 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. Pensacola 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
Pensacola 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.
Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital — A Level II trauma center and the region’s largest hospital.
Baptist Hospital Pensacola — A major community hospital with comprehensive services.
Naval Hospital Pensacola — A military medical facility at NAS Pensacola.
Travel nurse demand in Pensacola 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 summer tourist season 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 Pensacola 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 Pensacola.
East Hill
A charming residential neighborhood near downtown with tree-lined streets.
Pros: Safe, close to hospitals, residential charm, walkable areas
Cons: Older housing, car-dependent, limited nightlife
Downtown Pensacola
A walkable downtown with Palafox Street restaurants and shops.
Pros: Walkable, excellent dining, close to hospitals, waterfront access
Cons: Higher rents, tourist crowds seasonally, limited parking
Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach
Barrier island communities with stunning Gulf beaches.
Pros: Beach lifestyle, beautiful scenery, resort atmosphere
Cons: Higher rents, bridge commute, hurricane risk, seasonal pricing
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. The city is compact with most commutes under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Pensacola through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Pensacola 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: $800 to $1,250 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $950 to $1,500 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,200 to $1,850 per month
Pensacola is affordable with no state income tax. Beach-area housing costs more. Downtown offers the best walkability.
Many travel nurses in Pensacola 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 Pensacola, 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 Pensacola
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Pensacola that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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No state income tax — Florida’s no income tax advantage with affordable Panhandle living.
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Some of the best beaches in America — Pensacola Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful beaches in the country.
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Military community — Pensacola is the Cradle of Naval Aviation. The military community is welcoming to transient residents.
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Hurricane season — The Panhandle is hurricane-prone. Prepare accordingly.
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
Pensacola has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate. Fresh Gulf seafood is affordable.
When budgeting for your Pensacola assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix and Winn-Dixie are main grocery options. Gulf seafood is fresh and cheap at local markets. 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. Pensacola has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Pensacola Beach — Sugar-white sand and emerald water that rivals any beach in the Caribbean.
- National Naval Aviation Museum — One of the world’s largest aviation museums with over 150 aircraft. Free admission.
- Blue Angels — Watch the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron practice from Pensacola Beach.
- Historic Downtown Palafox Street — A walkable street with restaurants, bars, and historic architecture.
Take full advantage of your time in Pensacola. 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
Pensacola, Florida offers travel nurses a Gulf Coast gem with no state income tax, some of the most beautiful beaches in America, affordable living, and strong hospital systems. With Ascension Sacred Heart and Baptist Health Care 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 Pensacola, 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 Pensacola assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Pensacola assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.