Travel Nurse Housing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Complete Guide
Sioux Falls is the largest city in South Dakota and a growing Midwest hub with a strong healthcare market. With no state income tax and an affordable cost of living, Sioux Falls offers travel nurses exceptional financial value.
Sioux Falls healthcare includes Sanford Health and Avera Health, two of the largest rural health systems in the country.
Whether you are heading to Sioux Falls 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. Sioux Falls 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
Sioux Falls 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.
Sanford USD Medical Center — A large academic medical center affiliated with the University of South Dakota and the flagship of Sanford Health.
Avera McKennan Hospital — The flagship of Avera Health with comprehensive services and a strong nursing culture.
Sanford Children’s Hospital — A pediatric facility serving the Dakotas region.
Travel nurse demand in Sioux Falls 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 months when extreme cold increases demand. 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 Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls.
Downtown Sioux Falls
A walkable downtown with restaurants along Phillips Avenue and the Arc of Dreams sculpture.
Pros: Walkable, dining scene, close to hospitals, community events
Cons: Higher rents for the area, cold winters, limited nightlife
Southeast Sioux Falls
Newer developments with modern apartments and shopping.
Pros: Modern apartments, affordable, safe, good amenities
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character
East Side
Residential neighborhoods near McKennan Park and Avera hospital.
Pros: Close to Avera, McKennan Park, residential calm, moderate rents
Cons: Car-dependent, older housing, quiet nightlife
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Sioux Falls is car-dependent. Commutes are very short, typically under 10 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Sioux Falls through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Sioux Falls are slightly 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: $650 to $1,050 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $800 to $1,250 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,000 to $1,600 per month
Sioux Falls is affordable. No state income tax plus low rents create outstanding financial returns.
Many travel nurses in Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Sioux Falls that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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No state income tax — South Dakota has no state income tax, which significantly boosts take-home pay.
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Winter is extreme — Sioux Falls winters are brutally cold with significant snow and ice. Prepare accordingly.
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Strong travel nurse demand — The remote location creates consistent demand and often competitive pay packages.
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The city is growing rapidly — Sioux Falls has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest with improving amenities.
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
Sioux Falls has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate. Dining is affordable.
When budgeting for your Sioux Falls assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Hy-Vee and Walmart offer competitive grocery prices. Downtown dining is affordable with a growing scene. 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. Sioux Falls has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Falls Park — The city’s centerpiece park where the Big Sioux River cascades over quartzite rock formations, illuminated at night.
- SculptureWalk — An annual outdoor sculpture exhibition along downtown Phillips Avenue.
- Great Plains Zoo — A 45-acre zoo with over 1,000 animals and interactive exhibits.
- Badlands Day Trip — Drive about four hours west to the stunning Badlands National Park for otherworldly rock formations and bison.
Take full advantage of your time in Sioux Falls. 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
Sioux Falls, South Dakota offers travel nurses a growing Midwest city with no state income tax, strong hospital systems, affordable living, and genuine community warmth. With Sanford Health and Avera Health and a below 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 Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Sioux Falls assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.