Travel Nurse Housing in Santa Fe, New Mexico: Complete Guide
Santa Fe is the oldest state capital in the US with a unique adobe architecture, world-class art scene, and a high-desert setting at 7,000 feet. Travel nurses find a community hospital and a culturally rich experience unlike anywhere else.
CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center is Santa Fe’s primary hospital.
Whether you are heading to Santa Fe 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. Santa Fe 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
Santa Fe 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.
CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center — A community hospital and the primary healthcare facility for the Santa Fe area with emergency, surgical, and medical services.
Travel nurse demand in Santa Fe is generally steady, 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 art season and ski 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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe.
Downtown and Canyon Road
Historic adobe neighborhoods with art galleries and restaurants.
Pros: Cultural immersion, walkable, gallery scene, adobe charm
Cons: Expensive, tourist-heavy, limited parking
Southside
More affordable residential areas south of downtown.
Pros: More affordable, closer to hospital, residential calm
Cons: Car-dependent, less character, commercial corridors
Eldorado
A planned community southeast of Santa Fe with desert views.
Pros: Quiet, desert scenery, community amenities
Cons: 15-minute commute, car-dependent, limited dining
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Small city with commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Santa Fe through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Santa Fe 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 $1,500 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,800 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,200 per month
Santa Fe is more expensive than Albuquerque. Tourism drives housing demand. Start searching early.
Many travel nurses in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe, NM 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 Santa Fe
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Santa Fe that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Altitude and dryness — At 7,000 feet, altitude adjustment and hydration are essential.
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World-class art scene — Santa Fe has more art galleries per capita than any US city.
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Unique patient population — The mix of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo communities creates unique healthcare needs.
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Skiing at Ski Santa Fe — A small but excellent ski area is just 16 miles from the plaza.
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
Santa Fe’s cost of living is above average, especially for housing. Dining is excellent but can be expensive.
When budgeting for your Santa Fe assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Albertsons and Trader Joe’s are available. Santa Fe’s food scene blends New Mexican, Native American, and contemporary cuisine. 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. Santa Fe has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Canyon Road — A half-mile stretch of over 100 art galleries in the heart of Santa Fe.
- Santa Fe Plaza — The historic center of the city with the Palace of the Governors, restaurants, and Native American jewelry vendors.
- Meow Wolf — An immersive, mind-bending art experience unlike anything else in the world.
- Bandelier National Monument — Ancient pueblo cliff dwellings and hiking trails in a stunning canyon about 45 minutes northwest.
Take full advantage of your time in Santa Fe. 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
Santa Fe, New Mexico offers travel nurses America’s oldest capital with a world-class art scene, unique adobe culture, and a healthcare experience enriched by the region’s diverse communities. With CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center 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 Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Santa Fe assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.