Travel Nurse Housing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Complete Guide

Pittsburgh has transformed from a steel city into a hub for healthcare, technology, and education. Built at the confluence of three rivers with a stunning skyline of bridges and hills, Pittsburgh offers travel nurses world-class hospitals, an extremely affordable cost of living, and a city with tremendous character.

Pittsburgh’s healthcare market is dominated by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), one of the largest academic health systems in the country, and Allegheny Health Network (AHN). Together they employ a significant portion of the city’s workforce and create strong travel nurse demand.

Whether you are heading to Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh 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

Pittsburgh 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.

UPMC Presbyterian — The flagship of the UPMC system and a major academic medical center. It is a Level I trauma center nationally ranked in multiple specialties with a strong research mission.

UPMC Shadyside — A large UPMC hospital in the residential Shadyside neighborhood known for its nursing culture and comprehensive medical services.

Allegheny General Hospital — The flagship of AHN and a Level I trauma center on the North Side. It has strong cardiac, neuroscience, and surgical programs.

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh — A top-ranked pediatric hospital located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, part of the UPMC system.

Travel nurse demand in Pittsburgh is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and OR being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season and summer 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh.

Shadyside

Pittsburgh’s most walkable neighborhood with Walnut Street shopping, excellent restaurants, and proximity to UPMC Shadyside hospital.

Pros: Walkable Walnut Street, excellent dining, close to UPMC Shadyside, safe and well-maintained

Cons: Higher rents for Pittsburgh, competitive parking, older housing stock

Lawrenceville

A former industrial neighborhood turned trendy destination along Butler Street with craft cocktail bars, restaurants, and vintage shops.

Pros: Trendy Butler Street corridor, growing dining scene, close to Children’s Hospital, community character

Cons: Hilly terrain, parking is limited, some blocks are transitional, noise from Butler Street bars

Squirrel Hill

A diverse residential neighborhood near Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh with Forbes Avenue shops and restaurants.

Pros: Diverse community, walkable Forbes Avenue, close to universities and hospitals, moderate rents

Cons: Hilly, parking can be challenging, bus commute to some hospital locations

North Side

Home to PNC Park, the Andy Warhol Museum, and Allegheny General Hospital, the North Side offers unique neighborhood character.

Pros: Close to AHN and PNC Park, cultural attractions, affordable rents, Mexican War Streets historic district

Cons: Some blocks need awareness, limited dining options, noise on game days

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Pittsburgh has a bus system and a light rail (T) line serving the South Hills. Many neighborhoods are connected by bridges and tunnels. The city’s hilly terrain and bridges can make commutes feel longer. Living near your hospital is strongly recommended. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Pittsburgh through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Pittsburgh 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: $750 to $1,200 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $900 to $1,500 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,150 to $1,850 per month

Pittsburgh is very affordable and your stipend will go far. Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are popular with travel nurses near UPMC, while the North Side works well for AGH assignments. Furnished apartments are available at very reasonable prices.

Many travel nurses in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh, PA 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 Pittsburgh

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

1. UPMC dominates the healthcare market — UPMC is one of the largest employers in Pennsylvania. Many travel nurse assignments in Pittsburgh are at UPMC facilities, and the system’s reputation is an asset on your resume.

2. The hills and bridges are real — Pittsburgh is built on hills at the junction of three rivers. Navigation can be confusing at first, and your commute may involve bridges and tunnels. GPS is essential.

3. Winter is cold and gray — Pittsburgh winters are cold with snow and overcast skies. The city gets less sun than Seattle. Prepare for gray days from November through March.

4. Pennsylvania has city wage tax — Some Pittsburgh municipalities levy additional local income taxes on top of the state income tax. Research the specific tax implications of where you live and work.

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

Pittsburgh has a below-average cost of living that makes it one of the best value cities in the Northeast. Groceries are at or below the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out is very affordable with an excellent food scene.

When budgeting for your Pittsburgh assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Giant Eagle is the dominant grocery chain with competitive prices. Pittsburgh’s food scene includes iconic Primanti Brothers sandwiches, excellent pierogies, and a growing restaurant scene in Lawrenceville and the Strip District. 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. Pittsburgh has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Strip District — A lively market district along the Allegheny River with produce vendors, specialty food shops, restaurants, and the Smallman Street bar scene.
• Point State Park — Where the three rivers meet, this downtown park offers stunning views and the iconic fountain. The Gateway Clipper riverboat cruises depart from here.
• Andy Warhol Museum — The largest museum dedicated to a single artist in North America, celebrating Pittsburgh’s most famous pop artist.
• Fallingwater Day Trip — Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece is about 90 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh, set over a waterfall in the Laurel Highlands. It is a must-see architectural wonder.

Take full advantage of your time in Pittsburgh. 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

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offers travel nurses world-class hospitals in the UPMC system, an extremely affordable cost of living, a stunning three-rivers setting, and a city with tremendous character and pride. With UPMC and Allegheny Health Network 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 Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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