Travel Nurse Housing in Taos, New Mexico: Complete Guide
Taos is a historic arts colony in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, known for its pueblo, art galleries, ski valley, and high-desert spirituality. Travel nurses find moderate demand and a culturally rich, affordable mountain lifestyle.
Holy Cross Hospital serves the Taos area.
Whether you are heading to Taos 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. Taos 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
Taos 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.
Holy Cross Hospital — A community hospital with emergency and medical services serving Taos County and the surrounding mountain communities.
Travel nurse demand in Taos is generally moderate, with ED and med-surg being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during ski season and summer arts 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 Taos 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 Taos.
Taos Plaza Area
The historic center with galleries, restaurants, and adobe architecture.
Pros: Walkable, galleries, restaurants, historic character, cultural events
Cons: Limited housing, tourist traffic, higher rents for the area
Ranchos de Taos
A community south of town known for the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church.
Pros: More affordable, historic, residential, quieter, mission church
Cons: Car-dependent, limited services, few restaurants
El Prado
A residential area north of Taos on the way to the ski valley.
Pros: Mountain views, ski valley access, residential, more space
Cons: Car-dependent, limited services, colder, winter driving
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Taos is small. The ski valley is about 30 minutes north on a mountain road. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Taos through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Taos 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 $1,700 per month
Taos is affordable compared to most mountain towns. Adobe homes are common and charming. The rental market is small, so start early.
Many travel nurses in Taos 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 Taos, NM 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 Taos
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Taos that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment — The light, landscape, and culture of northern New Mexico are genuinely enchanting.
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Taos Pueblo — A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America.
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Art colony legacy — Taos has attracted artists for over 100 years, from Georgia O’Keeffe to Dennis Hopper.
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High desert altitude — Taos sits at 6,969 feet with the ski valley at over 11,000 feet. Altitude adjustment needed.
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
Taos is affordable by mountain-town standards. Housing, groceries, and dining are below or near the national average.
When budgeting for your Taos assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Cid’s Food Market and Smith’s are the main grocery options. Local New Mexican cuisine is affordable and exceptional. 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. Taos has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Taos Pueblo — A UNESCO World Heritage Site continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years, one of the most significant cultural sites in America.
- Taos Ski Valley — A world-class ski area with over 2,600 vertical feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
- Rio Grande Gorge Bridge — A dramatic bridge spanning the 800-foot-deep Rio Grande Gorge, about 10 miles west of town.
- Art Galleries — Over 80 galleries in the Taos area showcasing Native American, Spanish colonial, and contemporary art.
Take full advantage of your time in Taos. 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
Taos, New Mexico offers travel nurses a New Mexico arts colony with a UNESCO World Heritage pueblo, world-class skiing, dramatic Rio Grande Gorge scenery, over 80 art galleries, and affordable mountain living at Holy Cross Hospital. With Holy Cross Hospital 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 Taos, 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 Taos assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Taos assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.