Travel Nurse Housing in Tallahassee, Florida: Complete Guide
Tallahassee is Florida’s capital city and a college town home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University. Travel nurses find no state income tax, affordable living, and a community that blends Southern charm with college-town energy.
Tallahassee’s healthcare includes Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Capital Regional Medical Center.
Whether you are heading to Tallahassee 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. Tallahassee 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
Tallahassee 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.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare — The region’s only Level II trauma center with comprehensive services.
Capital Regional Medical Center — An HCA facility with emergency, cardiac, and surgical services.
Travel nurse demand in Tallahassee 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 FSU football season and 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 Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee.
Midtown
The neighborhood between FSU and downtown with restaurants, bars, and shops along Monroe Street and Thomasville Road.
Pros: Walkable, excellent dining, central location, close to hospitals
Cons: Student-area noise, parking limited, some areas dated
Killearn Estates
An established suburban community in northeast Tallahassee with safe streets.
Pros: Safe, family-friendly, moderate rents, good schools
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, far from downtown, quiet
SouthWood
A newer planned community southeast of downtown with modern apartments.
Pros: Modern development, community amenities, affordable, safe
Cons: Far from downtown, car-dependent, limited dining nearby
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Tallahassee is car-dependent. The city is small with commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Tallahassee through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Tallahassee 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: $750 to $1,200 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $900 to $1,400 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,750 per month
Tallahassee is affordable. No state income tax and low rents create good savings. Midtown is most popular with travel nurses.
Many travel nurses in Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee, FL 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 Tallahassee
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Tallahassee 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 — Florida’s no income tax advantage applies here with a much lower cost of living than South Florida.
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College town atmosphere — FSU and FAMU give the city youthful energy and cultural events year-round.
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Canopy roads are beautiful — Tallahassee’s live oak canopy roads are stunning and unique to this area.
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Hot and humid summers — North Florida summers are hot and humid. Expect afternoon thunderstorms.
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
Tallahassee has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are at national norms. Dining is affordable with a good mix of college-town and Southern options.
When budgeting for your Tallahassee assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix and Walmart are main grocery options. Tallahassee’s college-area restaurants offer affordable meals. 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. Tallahassee has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Wakulla Springs State Park — One of the world’s largest freshwater springs with crystal-clear water, a swimming area, and riverboat tours.
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge — A beautiful coastal refuge with hiking trails, lighthouse, and birdwatching.
- FSU Campus and Cascades Park — Walk the beautiful FSU campus and enjoy Cascades Park’s amphitheater and walking paths.
- Apalachicola Day Trip — Drive two hours south to this charming oyster town on the Gulf Coast for fresh seafood.
Take full advantage of your time in Tallahassee. 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
Tallahassee, Florida offers travel nurses Florida’s capital with no state income tax, affordable college-town living, and proximity to stunning natural springs and Gulf Coast beaches. With Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Capital Regional Medical Center 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 Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Tallahassee assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.