Travel Nurse Housing in St. Louis, Missouri: Complete Guide

St. Louis is a historic river city with the iconic Gateway Arch, world-class institutions, and a cost of living that makes it one of the best value cities in America. For travel nurses, St. Louis offers prestigious hospital systems and an incredibly affordable lifestyle.

St. Louis has an exceptional healthcare market anchored by BJC HealthCare (including Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine), SSM Health, and Mercy. Barnes-Jewish Hospital is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the nation.

Whether you are heading to St. Louis 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. St. Louis 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

St. Louis 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.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital — The flagship of BJC HealthCare and the teaching hospital of Washington University School of Medicine. It is one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the country with nationally ranked programs in virtually every specialty.

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital — Affiliated with Saint Louis University School of Medicine, this hospital is located near the Grand Center arts district and serves as a Level I trauma center.

Mercy Hospital St. Louis — A large Mercy facility in Creve Coeur offering comprehensive medical and surgical services.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital — One of the top pediatric hospitals in the country, located on the Washington University Medical Campus.

Travel nurse demand in St. Louis is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and OR 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis.

Central West End

St. Louis’s most walkable and vibrant neighborhood adjacent to the Barnes-Jewish/Washington University medical campus. It features tree-lined streets, restaurants, cafes, and boutique shopping.

Pros: Walkable, adjacent to Barnes-Jewish, excellent restaurants, beautiful architecture, Forest Park access

Cons: Higher rents for St. Louis, parking permit required, older housing stock, some adjacent areas need awareness

Soulard

A historic French neighborhood south of downtown with the famous Soulard Farmers Market, bars, and Mardi Gras celebrations.

Pros: Historic character, Soulard Farmers Market, vibrant nightlife, affordable, Mardi Gras celebrations

Cons: Noisy during Mardi Gras and weekends, older housing stock, some blocks need awareness, parking is tight

The Grove

A revitalized entertainment district along Manchester Avenue with restaurants, bars, and a diverse community.

Pros: Growing restaurant scene, diverse and welcoming, affordable, close to SLU Hospital, vibrant nightlife

Cons: Limited residential options, can be noisy, some surrounding blocks are transitional

Clayton

An upscale suburb adjacent to the city that serves as the county seat, with restaurants, shops, and MetroLink access.

Pros: Upscale dining and shopping, safe, MetroLink access, walkable downtown, close to medical campuses

Cons: Higher rents, suburban government center feel, quiet nightlife, limited furnished options

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. St. Louis has a MetroLink light rail system connecting downtown to Clayton and the suburbs. Bus service is available. Most travel nurses drive, and commutes are typically under 20 minutes within the city. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in St. Louis through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in St. Louis 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: $700 to $1,100 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $850 to $1,400 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,800 per month

St. Louis is extremely affordable. Your stipend will go very far, especially in neighborhoods like the Central West End and Soulard. The CWE is the most popular area for travel nurses working at Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s.

Many travel nurses in St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to St. Louis that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. Barnes-Jewish is a career enhancer — Working at Barnes-Jewish Hospital with Washington University is a prestigious credential. The clinical experience and name recognition are valuable throughout your career.

2. City vs. county matters — The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County are separate entities with different tax rates, school districts, and services. Research which jurisdiction your housing is in.

3. Four seasons with humidity — St. Louis has hot, humid summers and cold winters with occasional ice storms. The spring and fall are beautiful.

4. Free attractions abound — Many of St. Louis’s top attractions are free, including the Gateway Arch grounds, Forest Park, the St. Louis Zoo, and the Art Museum.

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

St. Louis has a below-average cost of living, making it one of the best value cities in the country. Groceries are below the national average. Gas is cheap. Dining out is remarkably affordable with an excellent food scene. Missouri has a state income tax.

When budgeting for your St. Louis assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Schnucks and Aldi are popular grocery options. St. Louis’s food scene includes excellent Italian on The Hill, barbecue, and toasted ravioli. Many top attractions like the zoo, Art Museum, and Science Center are completely free. 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. St. Louis has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Gateway Arch and National Park — Ride to the top of the iconic 630-foot arch for views of the city and the Mississippi River. The museum below is excellent.
• Forest Park — One of the largest urban parks in the country, home to the free St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, and History Museum. It is bigger than Central Park.
• The Hill — St. Louis’s Italian neighborhood with some of the best Italian-American food in the Midwest, including toasted ravioli, the city’s signature dish.
• City Museum — A wildly creative interactive attraction built from repurposed industrial materials. It defies description and is unlike any museum anywhere.

Take full advantage of your time in St. Louis. 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

St. Louis, Missouri offers travel nurses prestigious hospital systems including Barnes-Jewish and Washington University, an extremely affordable cost of living, and a city rich in history, culture, and world-class free attractions. With BJC HealthCare, SSM Health, and Mercy 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 St. Louis, 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 St. Louis assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your St. Louis assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.