Travel Nurse Housing in Telluride, Colorado: Complete Guide
Telluride is a former mining town turned world-class ski resort in a box canyon in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. Travel nurses typically work at Telluride Regional Medical Center or commute to larger facilities in Montrose.
Telluride Regional Medical Center serves the immediate area. Montrose Memorial Hospital is about 65 miles away.
Whether you are heading to Telluride 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. Telluride 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
Telluride 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.
Telluride Regional Medical Center — A critical access hospital with emergency and medical services in the box canyon.
Montrose Memorial Hospital — A community hospital about 65 miles from Telluride with more comprehensive services.
Travel nurse demand in Telluride 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 festival 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 Telluride 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 Telluride.
Town of Telluride
The historic mining town in the box canyon with free gondola access to Mountain Village.
Pros: Walkable, ski access, free gondola, historic character, stunning scenery
Cons: Extremely expensive, limited housing, box canyon feeling, altitude
Mountain Village
The resort village at the top of the free gondola.
Pros: Ski-in/ski-out, resort amenities, mountain views, gondola access
Cons: Very expensive, resort atmosphere, seasonal, altitude
Norwood and Ridgway
Small ranching towns about 30-45 minutes from Telluride.
Pros: Much more affordable, ranching community, mountain views, quieter
Cons: Commute to Telluride, limited services, very small towns, winter driving
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Highway 145 is the access road. Winter driving requires preparation. The free gondola connects town and Mountain Village. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Telluride through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Telluride are in line with 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: $1,400 to $2,400 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,700 to $3,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $2,100 to $3,800 per month
Telluride housing is extremely limited and expensive. Employer housing may be necessary. Norwood and Ridgway offer significant savings but add commute time on mountain roads.
Many travel nurses in Telluride 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 Telluride, 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 Telluride
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Telluride that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Free gondola — The gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village is free and runs year-round.
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Altitude at 8,750 feet — Telluride sits at 8,750 feet. Altitude adjustment is essential.
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Festival town — Telluride hosts major film, bluegrass, blues, and jazz festivals throughout the year.
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Remote location — Telluride is isolated. The nearest major airport is Montrose (65 miles).
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
Telluride is one of the most expensive small towns in Colorado, rivaling Aspen. Housing is the primary cost driver.
When budgeting for your Telluride assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Clark’s Market in Telluride is the main grocery store with premium prices. Montrose has more affordable options. 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. Telluride has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Telluride Ski Resort — World-class skiing with 2,000+ acres of terrain in a spectacular box canyon setting.
- Bridal Veil Falls — Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall at the end of the box canyon.
- Via Ferrata — A protected climbing route on the cliffs above town with stunning exposure and views.
- Telluride Film Festival — One of the premier film festivals in the world, held each Labor Day weekend.
Take full advantage of your time in Telluride. 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
Telluride, Colorado offers travel nurses a Colorado box canyon with world-class skiing, the state’s tallest waterfall, a free gondola, premier film and music festivals, and a dramatic mountain setting unlike any other. With Telluride Regional Medical Center and a well 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 Telluride, 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 Telluride assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Telluride assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.