Travel Nurse Housing in Sedona, Arizona: Complete Guide
Sedona is a stunning red-rock desert town in northern Arizona known for its dramatic canyon scenery, vortex energy sites, and world-class hiking. Travel nurses typically work at facilities in nearby Cottonwood or Flagstaff while living in this breathtaking landscape.
Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood is the nearest hospital. Flagstaff Medical Center is about 30 miles north.
Whether you are heading to Sedona 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. Sedona 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
Sedona 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.
Verde Valley Medical Center — A community hospital in nearby Cottonwood (15 minutes south) with emergency and medical services.
Flagstaff Medical Center — A Level I trauma center about 30 miles north in Flagstaff.
Travel nurse demand in Sedona is generally moderate, with 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 spring and fall tourist seasons. 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 Sedona 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 Sedona.
West Sedona
The more residential and practical side of town with grocery stores and services.
Pros: More affordable for Sedona, practical amenities, red-rock views, grocery access
Cons: Car-dependent, tourist traffic, still expensive
Village of Oak Creek
A community south of Sedona near Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
Pros: Red-rock views, hiking access, quieter, residential feel
Cons: Farther from services, car-dependent, limited dining
Cottonwood
A historic town 15 minutes south with more affordable housing.
Pros: Most affordable area, close to Verde Valley Medical Center, Old Town charm, wine tasting
Cons: Less scenic than Sedona, smaller town, hotter in summer
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Sedona to Cottonwood is about 15 minutes. Sedona to Flagstaff is about 30 minutes on I-17. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Sedona through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Sedona 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 $1,800 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,400 to $2,200 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,700 to $2,800 per month
Sedona’s short-term rental market is dominated by tourism. Cottonwood offers more affordable long-term options. Seasonal pricing fluctuates significantly.
Many travel nurses in Sedona 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 Sedona, 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 Sedona
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Sedona that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Arizona has no tax on Social Security — Arizona’s tax situation is favorable for many workers.
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Red-rock scenery is otherworldly — The landscape is genuinely breathtaking and never gets old.
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Tourism drives housing costs — Short-term vacation rentals dominate Sedona, making long-term housing harder to find.
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Hot summers, mild winters — Sedona is about 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix but summer temperatures still exceed 100°F.
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
Sedona’s cost of living is above average, driven by tourism-inflated housing and dining prices. Cottonwood is more affordable.
When budgeting for your Sedona assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Safeway in West Sedona and Basha’s are primary grocery stores. Cottonwood has more affordable options. 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. Sedona has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Red Rock Trails — Hundreds of miles of hiking trails through stunning red-rock formations including Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge.
- Vortex Sites — Sedona’s famous energy vortexes at Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon.
- Verde Valley Wine Trail — Arizona’s wine country with tasting rooms in Sedona, Cottonwood, and Jerome.
- Slide Rock State Park — A natural water slide in Oak Creek Canyon, perfect for summer cooling off.
Take full advantage of your time in Sedona. 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
Sedona, Arizona offers travel nurses an Arizona red-rock desert paradise with stunning hiking trails, spiritual vortex sites, nearby wine country, and hospital access in Cottonwood and Flagstaff. With Verde Valley Medical Center and Flagstaff 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 Sedona, 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 Sedona assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Sedona assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.