Travel Nurse Housing in San Jose, California: Complete Guide

San Jose is the largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area and the self-proclaimed Capital of Silicon Valley. While tech dominates the headlines, San Jose also has a robust healthcare market with several major hospital systems serving the region’s diverse population of over a million residents.

The South Bay healthcare market includes facilities operated by Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Regional Medical Center of San Jose and Good Samaritan Hospital round out the major facilities. Travel nurse demand is strong given the high population density and the challenge of recruiting permanent staff in an area where tech salaries make nursing less financially competitive.

Whether you are heading to San Jose 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. San Jose 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

San Jose 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.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center — The county’s public safety-net hospital and a Level I trauma center. VMC serves a diverse patient population and offers travel nurses high-volume experience in a teaching environment affiliated with Stanford.

Regional Medical Center of San Jose — An HCA-affiliated hospital in downtown San Jose with strong cardiac, stroke, and trauma programs. It is one of the larger acute care facilities in the South Bay.

Good Samaritan Hospital — A community hospital in the Cambrian neighborhood of San Jose known for its cardiac care and orthopedics programs. It offers a supportive environment for travel nurses.

Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center — One of the largest Kaiser facilities in Northern California, serving a massive membership base. Kaiser contracts are popular with travel nurses for their organized systems and predictable workflows.

El Camino Health — Located in nearby Mountain View, El Camino is a respected community hospital known for its robotic surgery program, cardiac services, and mental health programs.

Travel nurse demand in San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose.

Downtown San Jose

The city center has been revitalized with new restaurants, entertainment venues, and apartment buildings. It offers the most walkable living experience in the South Bay with light rail access and proximity to the San Jose Convention Center area.

Pros: Most walkable area in San Jose, light rail and Caltrain access, growing restaurant scene, close to SAP Center and cultural attractions

Cons: Higher rents for the area, can feel quiet on weekday evenings, parking garage costs add up

Willow Glen

A charming neighborhood south of downtown with a walkable main street on Lincoln Avenue featuring independent shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Willow Glen has a small-town feel within the larger city.

Pros: Walkable main street, charming neighborhood character, good restaurants and coffee shops, safe and family-friendly

Cons: Higher rents than outer areas, limited public transit, residential streets can be quiet at night

Campbell

Technically a separate city within the San Jose metro, Campbell offers a vibrant downtown strip on Campbell Avenue with restaurants, bars, and the Pruneyard shopping center. It is a popular area for young professionals.

Pros: Vibrant downtown dining and nightlife, reasonable rents for the area, light rail access, community feel

Cons: Not directly adjacent to most hospitals, car needed for commuting, can be noisy near the downtown strip

Santa Clara

The neighboring city of Santa Clara is home to multiple tech companies and Levi’s Stadium. It offers newer apartment complexes and proximity to Kaiser and El Camino hospitals.

Pros: Newer apartment buildings, close to Kaiser and El Camino hospitals, near Great America amusement park, reasonable rents for the area

Cons: Suburban feel, limited walkability outside of specific areas, traffic congestion near the tech campuses

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. San Jose is car-dependent despite having VTA light rail and Caltrain commuter rail services. Traffic on Highway 101, I-280, and I-880 can be severe during rush hours. Try to find housing that minimizes freeway commutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in San Jose through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in San Jose are well 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: $1,800 to $2,600 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $2,200 to $3,200 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $2,600 to $3,800 per month

The San Jose housing market is one of the most expensive in the country, driven by tech industry demand. Travel nurse stipends may not fully cover rent in the most desirable areas. Consider shared housing or slightly less central neighborhoods to keep costs manageable. Start searching early as furnished options are limited.

Many travel nurses in San Jose 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 San Jose, CA 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 San Jose

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

1. Housing costs are extreme — Silicon Valley housing prices are among the highest in the nation. Expect to pay significantly more than the national average, and consider shared housing to make your stipend stretch further. A furnished room in a shared house can run $1,200 to $1,800 per month.

2. California taxes are high — California’s state income tax is the highest in the country. Factor this into your pay package evaluation and make sure the hourly rate and stipends justify the tax burden.

3. Traffic patterns follow tech schedules — Rush hour in Silicon Valley is brutal, particularly on Highway 101 and I-280. Many tech workers have flexible schedules, so traffic can be unpredictable. Nursing shift times of 7 AM and 7 PM generally avoid the worst congestion.

4. Explore beyond San Jose — The South Bay is a gateway to incredible natural beauty. Santa Cruz is 30 minutes over the mountains, San Francisco is an hour north, and wine country is within easy reach. Your days off can be extraordinary.

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

San Jose has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, driven primarily by housing costs. Groceries are about 15 to 20 percent above the national average. Gas prices follow California’s typically high rates. Dining out varies widely, from affordable ethnic restaurants to expensive Silicon Valley establishments. The high cost of living is the main drawback of San Jose assignments, though strong pay packages often compensate.

When budgeting for your San Jose assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Ethnic restaurants, particularly Vietnamese pho shops, Mexican taquerias, and Indian restaurants, offer excellent food at reasonable prices throughout San Jose. Ranch 99 and other Asian supermarkets offer affordable produce. Cooking at home and shopping strategically can help offset the high cost of living. 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. San Jose has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Santa Cruz Beach Day — Drive 30 minutes over Highway 17 to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a classic California beach experience with a free-admission amusement park and great surfing.
• Winchester Mystery House — Tour this famous Victorian mansion with its bizarre architecture, staircases to nowhere, and mysterious history. It is one of San Jose’s most unique attractions.
• San Jose Municipal Rose Garden — A beautiful 5.5-acre park with over 3,500 rose bushes, perfect for a peaceful afternoon stroll.
• Hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains — Miles of trails in the hills above Silicon Valley offer redwood forests, ocean views, and cool temperatures even on hot days. Castle Rock State Park and Alum Rock Park are popular choices.
• San Francisco Day Trip — Hop on Caltrain for a car-free day trip to San Francisco to explore Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the city’s legendary food scene.

Take full advantage of your time in San Jose. 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

San Jose, California offers travel nurses access to a strong healthcare market in the heart of Silicon Valley, proximity to incredible natural beauty, and the unique experience of living in one of the most innovative regions in the world. With Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Regional Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, and several community hospitals and a very high 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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