Travel Nurse Housing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Complete Guide
Steamboat Springs is a genuine western Colorado mountain town known for champagne powder skiing, natural hot springs, and a ranching heritage that gives it an authentic feel other resort towns lack. Travel nurses find demand at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center.
UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center serves the Steamboat Springs area.
Whether you are heading to Steamboat Springs 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. Steamboat Springs 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
Steamboat Springs 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.
UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center — A community hospital with emergency, surgical, and comprehensive medical services serving Routt County.
Travel nurse demand in Steamboat Springs is generally moderate, with ED, med-surg, and orthopedics being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during ski season (December-April). 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 Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs.
Downtown Steamboat
The historic Lincoln Avenue area with western storefronts, restaurants, and hot springs.
Pros: Walkable, dining, hot springs, western character, close to hospital
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic in season, cold winters
Mountain Area
Near the ski resort with condos and ski-in/ski-out options.
Pros: Ski access, mountain views, resort amenities, shuttle service
Cons: Very expensive, seasonal pricing, limited year-round services
West Steamboat and Stagecoach
More affordable areas west and south of town.
Pros: More affordable, more space, rural feel, mountain views
Cons: Car-dependent, commute to town, limited services
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Steamboat is compact. Free city bus connects town and the mountain. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Steamboat Springs through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Steamboat Springs 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: $1,300 to $2,200 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,600 to $2,800 per month
Steamboat is expensive during ski season but more affordable than Vail or Aspen. Summer and shoulder season offer better housing deals.
Many travel nurses in Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs, CO 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 Steamboat Springs
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Steamboat Springs that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Champagne Powder is trademarked — Steamboat’s dry, fluffy snow is literally trademarked as Champagne Powder.
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Natural hot springs — Old Town Hot Springs and Strawberry Park Hot Springs offer geothermal soaking.
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Real western town — Unlike some resort towns, Steamboat has a genuine ranching heritage and year-round community.
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Remote location — Steamboat is 3 hours from Denver. Rabbit Ears Pass (9,426 feet) is the main route and can close in storms.
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
Steamboat’s cost of living is above average, driven by resort-area housing costs, though more affordable than Aspen and Vail.
When budgeting for your Steamboat Springs assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. City Market and Natural Grocers are the main stores. The farmers market runs in summer. 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. Steamboat Springs has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Steamboat Resort — Over 3,000 acres of skiing with legendary champagne powder snow.
- Strawberry Park Hot Springs — Natural hot springs in a beautiful forest setting about 15 minutes from town.
- Yampa River Core Trail — A riverside walking and biking trail through the heart of Steamboat Springs.
- Fish Creek Falls — A 283-foot waterfall accessible via a short hike just east of town.
Take full advantage of your time in Steamboat Springs. 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
Steamboat Springs, Colorado offers travel nurses a genuine Colorado western town with trademarked champagne powder skiing, natural hot springs, ranching heritage, and travel nursing at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. With UCHealth Yampa Valley 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 Steamboat Springs, 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 Steamboat Springs assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Steamboat Springs assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.