Travel Nurse Housing in Rapid City, South Dakota: Complete Guide
Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Great Plains. Travel nurses find strong demand, no state income tax, and adventure at every turn.
Rapid City’s healthcare includes Monument Health (formerly Regional Health).
Whether you are heading to Rapid City 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. Rapid City 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
Rapid City 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.
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital — A Level II trauma center and the largest hospital between Sioux Falls and Billings. It serves a vast region including parts of Wyoming and Nebraska.
Black Hills VA Health Care System — A VA facility serving veterans across the Black Hills region.
Travel nurse demand in Rapid City is generally strong, 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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City.
Downtown Rapid City
A walkable downtown with restaurants, shops, and the City of Presidents bronze statues.
Pros: Walkable, dining options, close to hospital, cultural attractions
Cons: Limited nightlife, cold winters, parking
West Rapid City
Residential area toward the Black Hills with newer developments.
Pros: Near Black Hills, safe, moderate rents, scenic
Cons: Car-dependent, limited dining, suburban
East Rapid City
Affordable residential neighborhoods east of downtown.
Pros: Affordable, close to hospital, diverse community
Cons: Some areas need awareness, limited amenities
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Compact city with commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Rapid City through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Rapid City are roughly 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: $700 to $1,100 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $850 to $1,300 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,050 to $1,650 per month
Rapid City is moderately priced. No state income tax plus strong demand often means competitive packages.
Many travel nurses in Rapid City 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 Rapid City, SD 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 Rapid City
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Rapid City 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 — South Dakota has no state income tax.
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Black Hills are spectacular — Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park are all within an hour.
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Remote location means strong demand — Rapid City’s isolation creates consistent travel nurse demand with competitive pay.
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Winter is serious — Black Hills winters bring cold, snow, and icy roads. 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
Rapid City has a cost of living roughly at the national average. Groceries are slightly above average due to the remote location.
When budgeting for your Rapid City assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Safeway and Walmart are main grocery options. The many free or low-cost outdoor attractions in the Black Hills provide excellent recreation. 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. Rapid City has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Mount Rushmore — America’s most iconic monument is just 30 minutes south of Rapid City.
- Custer State Park — A 71,000-acre park with bison herds, scenic drives, and some of the best wildlife viewing in the country.
- Badlands National Park — Otherworldly rock formations, bighorn sheep, and dramatic landscapes about an hour east.
- Crazy Horse Memorial — A massive monument being carved in the Black Hills honoring the Lakota leader.
Take full advantage of your time in Rapid City. 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
Rapid City, South Dakota offers travel nurses the gateway to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills with no state income tax, strong hospital demand, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Great Plains. With Monument Health and a 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 Rapid City, 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 Rapid City assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Rapid City assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.