Travel Nurse Housing in Providence, Rhode Island: Complete Guide

Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and a creative, compact city with a thriving food scene, renowned art schools, and a walkable downtown. Travel nurses find strong hospital systems and a New England experience at a more affordable price point than Boston.

Providence’s healthcare includes Lifespan (Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital), Care New England, and Brown University Health. Rhode Island Hospital is the state’s Level I trauma center.

Whether you are heading to Providence 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. Providence 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

Providence 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.

Rhode Island Hospital — A Lifespan hospital, Level I trauma center, and teaching hospital of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

The Miriam Hospital — A Lifespan facility known for cardiac care and comprehensive medical services.

Women & Infants Hospital — A Care New England facility and one of the premier women’s hospitals in the Northeast.

Hasbro Children’s Hospital — Rhode Island’s pediatric specialty hospital, part of Lifespan.

Travel nurse demand in Providence is generally steady, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and L&D being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during 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 Providence 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 Providence.

Federal Hill

Providence’s Little Italy with outstanding Italian restaurants, DePasquale Square, and a walkable, welcoming atmosphere.

Pros: Outstanding Italian dining, walkable DePasquale Square, affordable, community character

Cons: Some surrounding blocks need awareness, limited parking, noise from restaurants

East Side

A residential area near Brown University and RISD with beautiful homes, walkable Thayer Street, and proximity to hospitals.

Pros: Close to hospitals, Thayer Street shops, beautiful residential area, walkable

Cons: Higher rents, parking is limited, student-area noise, hilly

Downcity

Providence’s downtown core with revitalized buildings, restaurants, and the Providence Performing Arts Center.

Pros: Walkable, close to hospitals, growing dining scene, cultural attractions

Cons: Can be quiet at night, parking costs, some blocks are still developing

Cranston and Warwick

Suburban communities south of Providence with affordable housing and easy I-95 access.

Pros: Affordable, safe, family-friendly, easy highway access

Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character, farther from hospitals

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Providence is compact and walkable. RIPTA bus service covers the metro area. Many travel nurses at Rhode Island Hospital can walk or bike from East Side neighborhoods. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Providence through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Providence 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: $900 to $1,400 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,050 to $1,650 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,350 to $2,100 per month

Providence is more affordable than Boston while offering a similar New England experience. Federal Hill and the East Side are the most popular areas for travel nurses. Furnished apartments are available at reasonable prices.

Many travel nurses in Providence 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 Providence, RI 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 Providence

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

1. Compact state, literally — Rhode Island is tiny. You can drive across the entire state in under an hour, giving you easy access to beaches, Newport, and Connecticut.

2. The food scene is exceptional — Providence has one of the best restaurant scenes in New England, thanks in part to the Johnson & Wales culinary school. Federal Hill’s Italian food is legendary.

3. Brown University affiliation — Rhode Island Hospital is affiliated with Brown University’s medical school, making it an academic environment with strong teaching.

4. Rhode Island income tax — Rhode Island has a state income tax. Factor this into your pay package evaluation.

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

Providence’s cost of living is above the national average but well below Boston. Groceries are slightly above national norms. Gas is moderate for the Northeast. Dining out is excellent value given the quality of the food scene.

When budgeting for your Providence assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Stop & Shop and Aldi are popular grocery options. Federal Hill restaurants offer outstanding Italian food at reasonable prices. The many free cultural events, including WaterFire Providence, keep entertainment costs manageable. 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. Providence has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• WaterFire Providence — An award-winning fire sculpture installation on the Providence River with music, performers, and a magical atmosphere on event nights.
• Federal Hill Dining — Explore one of the best Little Italy neighborhoods in America with dozens of Italian restaurants and bakeries.
• Newport Day Trip — Drive 30 minutes to Newport for the famous mansions, cliff walk, sailing, and beautiful coastal scenery.
• RISD Museum — The Rhode Island School of Design Museum features an impressive collection spanning ancient to contemporary art.

Take full advantage of your time in Providence. 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

Providence, Rhode Island offers travel nurses a creative and compact New England city with strong Brown-affiliated hospitals, one of the best food scenes in the region, and an affordable alternative to Boston. With Lifespan, Care New England, and Brown University Health 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 Providence, 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 Providence assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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