Travel Nurse Housing in Sun Valley, Idaho: Complete Guide
Sun Valley is America’s original destination ski resort in central Idaho’s Wood River Valley, known for Bald Mountain skiing, summer recreation, and a small-town community with big-mountain culture. Travel nurses typically work at St. Luke’s Wood River.
St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center in Ketchum serves the Sun Valley area.
Whether you are heading to Sun Valley 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. Sun Valley 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
Sun Valley 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.
St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center — A community hospital in Ketchum with emergency, surgical, and medical services serving the Wood River Valley.
Travel nurse demand in Sun Valley is generally moderate, with ED, med-surg, and orthopedics (ski injuries) being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during ski season (December-April) and summer 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 Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley.
Ketchum
The town closest to Sun Valley resort with restaurants, galleries, and mountain access.
Pros: Close to hospital, dining, ski access, walkable core, mountain views
Cons: Expensive, seasonal pricing, tourist crowds, limited housing
Hailey
A more affordable town about 12 miles south with a year-round community.
Pros: More affordable, year-round community, practical, airport access
Cons: Commute to hospital, less resort feel, limited dining
Bellevue
A small town south of Hailey with the most affordable housing in the valley.
Pros: Most affordable, quiet, space, practical
Cons: Longest commute, very small town, limited services
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Highway 75 connects the Wood River Valley. The valley is about 20 miles long. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Sun Valley through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Sun Valley 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: $1,000 to $1,700 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,200 to $2,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,500 to $2,500 per month
Sun Valley housing is tight and seasonal. Hailey and Bellevue offer significant savings. Start searching early for ski season contracts.
Many travel nurses in Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley, ID 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 Sun Valley
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Sun Valley that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Idaho has state income tax — Idaho has a state income tax. The tax rate is moderate.
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America’s first destination ski resort — Sun Valley opened in 1936, making it the first purpose-built ski resort in the US.
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Ernest Hemingway connection — Hemingway lived and died in Ketchum. His memorial is on Trail Creek.
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Summer recreation is exceptional — Mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, and river activities keep the valley busy all summer.
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
Sun Valley’s cost of living is above average, driven by resort housing costs, though more affordable than comparable Colorado resorts.
When budgeting for your Sun Valley assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Atkinsons’ Market in Ketchum is the main grocery. Hailey has Albertsons and other options at lower 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. Sun Valley has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Bald Mountain Skiing — Over 3,400 vertical feet of skiing with no lift lines and incredible views.
- Trail Creek and Silver Creek Fly Fishing — World-class trout fishing in spring-fed creeks.
- Wood River Trail — A 30-mile paved trail through the valley for cycling, running, and walking.
- Sawtooth National Recreation Area — Stunning mountain scenery with alpine lakes, hot springs, and wilderness hiking just north of the valley.
Take full advantage of your time in Sun Valley. 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
Sun Valley, Idaho offers travel nurses America’s original ski resort with Bald Mountain skiing, world-class fly fishing, Sawtooth Mountain access, and travel nursing at St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center in a charming Idaho mountain valley. With St. Luke’s Wood River 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 Sun Valley, 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 Sun Valley assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Sun Valley assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.