Travel Nurse Housing in Portland, Oregon: Complete Guide

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and a Pacific Northwest gem known for its independent spirit, exceptional food scene, craft beer culture, and easy access to outdoor adventure. For travel nurses, Portland offers strong hospital systems, a bike-friendly culture, and a quality of life that attracts people from across the country.

Portland’s healthcare market includes several major systems: Providence Health, Legacy Health, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The city’s growing population and aging demographics ensure consistent demand for travel nurses.

Whether you are heading to Portland 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. Portland 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

Portland 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.

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) — Oregon’s only academic medical center, perched on Marquam Hill overlooking the city. OHSU is nationally ranked and offers travel nurses cutting-edge clinical experience in a research-intensive environment.

Providence Portland Medical Center — A large community hospital in NE Portland that is part of the Providence system. It is known for its cancer center, heart institute, and comprehensive emergency services.

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center — A Level I trauma center in North Portland and the region’s primary referral center for trauma and burn care. Travel nurses in emergency and critical care find excellent experience here.

Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center — Located in the suburb of Clackamas, this Kaiser facility serves a large membership base and is popular with travel nurses for its organized care model.

Travel nurse demand in Portland 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 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 Portland 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 Portland.

Alberta Arts District

A vibrant stretch of NE Alberta Street with independent galleries, restaurants, and shops. The neighborhood hosts a monthly Last Thursday art walk and has a strong creative community.

Pros: Vibrant arts and dining scene, monthly art walks, diverse restaurants, community feel, more affordable than inner SE

Cons: Farther from OHSU and downtown hospitals, limited parking during events, gentrification has raised rents

Hawthorne and Division

Two of Portland’s most iconic neighborhood strips in SE Portland, featuring bookstores, vintage shops, coffee roasters, and restaurants that define the city’s culture.

Pros: Quintessential Portland character, excellent walkability, great bus connections, diverse shopping and dining

Cons: Higher rents, parking is competitive, noise near busy commercial stretches, bike theft is common

Pearl District

Portland’s most upscale neighborhood, a former industrial area turned gallery, restaurant, and boutique district with modern loft apartments and the famous Powell’s Books.

Pros: Walkable and polished, close to downtown hospitals and the streetcar, modern apartment buildings, Powell’s Books

Cons: Expensive rents, less neighborhood character than SE Portland, can feel commercial

Sellwood-Moreland

A charming neighborhood in inner SE Portland with antique shops, boutiques, and a village-like atmosphere along SE 13th Avenue.

Pros: Charming antique shops, quiet residential streets, Oaks Bottom nature area, affordable for inner Portland

Cons: Farther from most hospitals, limited transit options, quiet nightlife, fewer furnished rental options

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Portland has an excellent public transit system including MAX light rail, TriMet buses, and the Portland Streetcar. The city is also one of the most bikeable in the country, with extensive bike lane networks. Many travel nurses commute by bike or transit. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Portland through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Portland are slightly above 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: $1,100 to $1,700 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,300 to $2,100 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,600 to $2,500 per month

Portland’s rental market is more affordable than Seattle or San Francisco but has tightened in recent years. Furnished apartments are available, and Furnished Finder has a decent number of listings in the Portland area. Consider the SE neighborhoods for a balance of character and affordability.

Many travel nurses in Portland 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 Portland, OR 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 Portland

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

1. No sales tax — Oregon has no sales tax, which means everything you buy is the price you see. This saves you money on everyday purchases and larger items like furniture or electronics.

2. Oregon has state income tax — Oregon has one of the higher state income tax rates in the country, with a top rate around 9.9 percent. Factor this into your pay package calculations.

3. Biking is a real commute option — Portland’s bike infrastructure is among the best in the country. If your hospital is within a few miles, biking is often faster and more enjoyable than driving. Invest in rain gear and lights.

4. Rain is constant but mild — Portland gets frequent rain from October through June, but it is usually a light drizzle rather than downpours. A good rain jacket is essential, but you will rarely need an umbrella. Portlanders pride themselves on not using umbrellas.

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

Portland’s cost of living is above the national average, primarily due to housing costs. Groceries are slightly above average. Gas prices follow West Coast trends. Dining out is excellent value given the quality, with Portland’s food cart pods offering incredible meals for under $15. The lack of sales tax saves money on purchases, partially offsetting the higher income tax.

When budgeting for your Portland assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Portland’s food cart culture means you can eat incredible meals from around the world for $8 to $15. WinCo Foods offers bulk shopping at excellent prices. Take advantage of no sales tax when making larger purchases. 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. Portland has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Forest Park — One of the largest urban forests in the country with over 80 miles of trails, including the popular Wildwood Trail. It is a spectacular outdoor escape minutes from downtown.
• Powell’s City of Books — The world’s largest independent bookstore occupying an entire city block. It is a Portland institution and a wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon.
• Columbia River Gorge — Drive 30 minutes east to the Columbia River Gorge for stunning waterfalls including Multnomah Falls, hiking trails, and windsurfing at Hood River.
• Portland Food Cart Tour — Explore the city’s legendary food cart pods serving cuisines from around the globe. Cartopia, the Alder Street pods, and neighborhood pods offer everything from Thai to Ethiopian to gourmet grilled cheese.
• Mount Hood Day Trip — Oregon’s highest peak is about 90 minutes from Portland and offers year-round skiing at Timberline Lodge, hiking, and stunning alpine scenery.

Take full advantage of your time in Portland. 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

Portland, Oregon offers travel nurses a unique and independent city with strong hospitals, excellent public transit and biking infrastructure, a world-class food scene, and easy access to Pacific Northwest outdoor adventure. With OHSU, Providence Health, Legacy Health, and Kaiser Permanente and a above 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 Portland, 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 Portland assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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