Travel Nurse Housing in Scottsdale, Arizona: Complete Guide
Scottsdale is an upscale desert city in the Phoenix metro area, known for world-class golf, spa resorts, a vibrant Old Town, and year-round sunshine. Travel nurses find excellent demand across the Phoenix metro while enjoying Scottsdale’s resort lifestyle.
HonorHealth operates multiple hospitals in Scottsdale. The Phoenix metro has extensive healthcare options.
Whether you are heading to Scottsdale 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. Scottsdale 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
Scottsdale 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.
HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center — A community hospital in central Scottsdale with emergency, cardiac, and comprehensive services.
HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center — A hospital in north Scottsdale with Level I trauma designation.
Mayo Clinic Hospital (Phoenix) — A world-renowned medical center on the Scottsdale-Phoenix border.
Travel nurse demand in Scottsdale is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, OR, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter season (November-April) and year-round. 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale.
Old Town Scottsdale
A walkable entertainment district with galleries, restaurants, and nightlife.
Pros: Walkable, dining, nightlife, galleries, close to Osborn hospital
Cons: Higher rents, bar noise, tourist crowds, limited parking
North Scottsdale
A residential area with mountain views, hiking trails, and newer development.
Pros: Mountain views, hiking, newer homes, upscale shopping, quieter
Cons: Higher rents, car-dependent, farther from hospitals
South Scottsdale
A more affordable area between Old Town and Tempe.
Pros: More affordable, close to hospitals, practical, central location
Cons: Less polished, car-dependent, urban feel
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Phoenix metro is spread out. Scottsdale commutes to metro hospitals can be 20-40 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Scottsdale through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Scottsdale 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: $1,100 to $1,700 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,300 to $2,100 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,600 to $2,600 per month
Scottsdale has good rental inventory but winter season increases demand. South Scottsdale and Tempe are more affordable alternatives.
Many travel nurses in Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ 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 Scottsdale
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Scottsdale that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Arizona winters are perfect — November through March offers 70-80°F temperatures and sunshine.
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Summer heat is extreme — June through September regularly exceeds 110°F. Plan accordingly.
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No daylight saving time — Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, which can affect scheduling.
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World-class golf and hiking — Hundreds of golf courses and hiking trails including Camelback Mountain and McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
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
Scottsdale’s cost of living is above the national average but more affordable than comparable resort cities in California.
When budgeting for your Scottsdale assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Fry’s, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts are popular grocery stores. The Scottsdale Farmers Market is excellent. 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. Scottsdale has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Camelback Mountain — A challenging hike with panoramic valley views, one of the most popular hikes in the Phoenix metro.
- Old Town Scottsdale — Art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife in a walkable entertainment district.
- McDowell Sonoran Preserve — Over 30,000 acres of desert hiking and mountain biking trails.
- Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and architecture school, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take full advantage of your time in Scottsdale. 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
Scottsdale, Arizona offers travel nurses an upscale Arizona desert city with strong healthcare demand, year-round sunshine, world-class golf, stunning desert hiking, and a resort lifestyle that makes every day off feel like a vacation. With HonorHealth Scottsdale hospitals and Mayo Clinic Hospital 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Scottsdale assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.