Travel Nurse Housing in Richmond, Virginia: Complete Guide

Richmond is Virginia’s capital city, rich in history and experiencing a cultural renaissance with a thriving food scene, outdoor recreation along the James River, and a strong healthcare market. Travel nurses will find excellent hospital systems, moderate costs, and a city with genuine Southern charm and character.

Richmond’s healthcare market includes VCU Health (Virginia Commonwealth University), HCA Virginia, and Bon Secours Mercy Health. VCU Medical Center is the city’s academic medical center and Level I trauma center.

Whether you are heading to Richmond 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. Richmond 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

Richmond 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.

VCU Medical Center — A major academic medical center and the only Level I trauma center in the region, affiliated with VCU School of Medicine. Known for transplant surgery and critical care.

Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital — One of the largest hospitals in the Bon Secours Mercy Health system in Richmond with comprehensive medical and surgical services.

Henrico Doctors’ Hospital — An HCA facility serving the Henrico County area with strong cardiac and surgical programs.

CJW Medical Center (Chippenham and Johnston-Willis) — A large HCA hospital complex in the Southside with Level I trauma capabilities.

Travel nurse demand in Richmond 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 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 Richmond 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 Richmond.

The Fan District

Richmond’s most iconic residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets of Victorian row houses, Monument Avenue, and walkable restaurants and bars.

Pros: Walkable and beautiful, excellent restaurants, close to VCU Medical Center, historic character

Cons: Higher rents, competitive parking, older housing stock, noise from the college area

Carytown

A charming shopping district along Cary Street with independent shops, restaurants, and a bohemian atmosphere.

Pros: Walkable shopping and dining, unique character, affordable by Richmond standards, close to the Fan

Cons: Limited parking on weekends, narrow commercial strip, noise from restaurants

Scott’s Addition

A former industrial neighborhood turned craft beer and dining destination with breweries, cideries, and restaurants in converted warehouses.

Pros: Excellent brewery scene, growing dining options, modern apartments, walkable, central location

Cons: Higher rents for new construction, industrial areas can feel empty at night, parking is limited on weekends

Short Pump

A suburban area west of Richmond with shopping, dining, and newer apartment complexes.

Pros: Modern apartments, excellent shopping, safe, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban sprawl, car-dependent, far from downtown hospitals, limited character

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Richmond is car-dependent with a limited bus system (GRTC). The city is compact enough that most commutes are under 20 minutes. The Pulse bus rapid transit line connects some corridors efficiently. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Richmond through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Richmond 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: $850 to $1,350 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,000 per month

Richmond offers good value for an East Coast city. The Fan District and Scott’s Addition are popular with travel nurses near VCU. Your stipend should comfortably cover furnished housing in most neighborhoods.

Many travel nurses in Richmond 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 Richmond, VA 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 Richmond

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

1. Virginia is a compact state — Virginia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, simplifying licensing for nurses with compact licenses.

2. The craft beer scene is exceptional — Richmond has one of the best craft beer scenes on the East Coast, with dozens of breweries concentrated in Scott’s Addition alone.

3. James River recreation — The James River flows through the city with rapids, swimming holes, and river walks. It is a unique urban outdoor amenity.

4. Four seasons with mild winters — Richmond has four seasons with relatively mild winters compared to the Northeast. Snow is occasional rather than constant.

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

Richmond has a cost of living roughly at the national average. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate. Dining out is affordable with an excellent and growing food scene. Virginia has a state income tax.

When budgeting for your Richmond assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger and Publix are popular grocery options. Richmond’s food scene is outstanding and affordable, especially in the Fan and Carytown. The many free outdoor activities along the James River keep entertainment costs low. 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. Richmond has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• James River Parks — Swim, kayak, or hike along the James River rapids right in the heart of the city. Belle Isle and the river walk are local favorites.
• Scott’s Addition Brewery Tour — Walk between a dozen craft breweries and cideries in this revitalized neighborhood.
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — A world-class art museum with free permanent collection admission and an excellent cafe.
• Historic Richmond — Explore the state capitol designed by Thomas Jefferson, Church Hill’s historic homes, and Civil War battlefields.

Take full advantage of your time in Richmond. 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

Richmond, Virginia offers travel nurses a historic capital city experiencing a cultural renaissance with strong hospital systems, excellent craft beer and food scenes, and outdoor recreation along the James River. With VCU Health, HCA Virginia, and Bon Secours Mercy 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 Richmond, 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 Richmond assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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