Travel Nurse Housing in Shreveport, Louisiana: Complete Guide
Shreveport is the largest city in northwest Louisiana with a healthcare market that serves the Ark-La-Tex region. Travel nurses find an extremely low cost of living and hospitals that serve a three-state area.
Shreveport’s healthcare includes Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Willis-Knighton Health System, and CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier.
Whether you are heading to Shreveport 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. Shreveport 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
Shreveport 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.
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport — An academic medical center and Level I trauma center affiliated with LSU Health Sciences Center.
Willis-Knighton Medical Center — A large health system with multiple campuses across Shreveport-Bossier.
CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center — A community hospital with comprehensive services.
Travel nurse demand in Shreveport 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 winter flu 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 Shreveport 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 Shreveport.
South Highlands
A historic residential area with tree-lined streets and architectural charm.
Pros: Historic character, safe, residential calm, moderate rents
Cons: Car-dependent, quiet nightlife, limited dining
Bossier City
The adjacent city across the Red River with casinos, restaurants, and affordable housing.
Pros: Affordable, entertainment options, safe areas, modern apartments
Cons: Across the river, car-dependent, casino town atmosphere
Downtown Shreveport
A revitalizing downtown with restaurants and cultural venues.
Pros: Close to hospitals, growing dining scene, affordable
Cons: Some blocks need awareness, limited nightlife, parking
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Compact metro with commutes under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Shreveport through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Shreveport are below 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: $550 to $900 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $650 to $1,050 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $850 to $1,350 per month
Shreveport-Bossier is very affordable. Your stipend goes extremely far.
Many travel nurses in Shreveport 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 Shreveport, LA 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 Shreveport
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Shreveport that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Extremely affordable — Shreveport is one of the cheapest cities in the country.
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Academic medical center — Ochsner LSU Health offers academic clinical experience.
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Louisiana income tax — Louisiana has a state income tax.
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Hot and humid summers — Northwest Louisiana summers are hot and humid.
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
Shreveport has one of the lowest costs of living in the country. Everything from housing to food is well below national averages.
When budgeting for your Shreveport assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Brookshire’s and Walmart offer budget grocery options. Shreveport’s food scene includes excellent Southern and Cajun cooking at very low prices. 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. Shreveport has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Barksdale AFB and Air Force Museum — Tour the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base.
- Red River National Wildlife Refuge — Hiking and birding along the Red River.
- Shreveport Mudbugs Hockey — Affordable minor league hockey games at George’s Pond.
- Bossier City Casinos — Several casino resorts in Bossier City offer dining, entertainment, and gaming.
Take full advantage of your time in Shreveport. 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
Shreveport, Louisiana offers travel nurses an extremely affordable Ark-La-Tex healthcare hub with an academic medical center, genuine Southern character, and a cost of living that maximizes savings. With Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Willis-Knighton, and CHRISTUS Health and a low 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 Shreveport, 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 Shreveport assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Shreveport assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.