Travel Nurse Housing in Traverse City, Michigan: Complete Guide
Traverse City is a resort town in northern Michigan known for wine, cherries, and stunning Grand Traverse Bay. Travel nurses find a strong community hospital and a four-season outdoor lifestyle.
Munson Healthcare serves the region.
Whether you are heading to Traverse City 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. Traverse City 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
Traverse City 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.
Munson Medical Center — A Level II trauma center and the largest hospital in northern Michigan, serving a vast rural region.
Munson Manistee Hospital — A community hospital in nearby Manistee.
Travel nurse demand in Traverse City is generally strong, 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 summer tourist season and winter ski 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 Traverse City 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 Traverse City.
Downtown Traverse City
A walkable downtown along Grand Traverse Bay with restaurants and shops.
Pros: Walkable, bay access, dining scene, close to hospital
Cons: Higher rents, tourist crowds in summer, limited winter nightlife
Garfield Township
A residential area south of downtown with affordable apartments.
Pros: Affordable, safe, close to hospital, shopping access
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Small city with commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Traverse City through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Traverse City 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: $850 to $1,350 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,250 to $1,950 per month
Summer housing is competitive due to tourism. Winter assignments offer better availability and lower rents.
Many travel nurses in Traverse City 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 Traverse City, MI 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 Traverse City
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Traverse City that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
-
Summer is spectacular — Traverse City in summer offers beaches, wineries, and the National Cherry Festival.
-
Winter brings skiing — Crystal Mountain and Shanty Creek are nearby for skiing and snowboarding.
-
Housing is seasonal — Rents spike in summer. Plan accordingly.
-
Michigan income tax — Michigan has a flat state income tax.
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
Above average, driven by tourism and housing demand. Groceries are at national norms.
When budgeting for your Traverse City assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Meijer and Tom’s offer decent grocery prices. Traverse City’s wine and food scene is excellent but can be pricey. 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. Traverse City has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — One of the most beautiful places in America with massive sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan.
- Wine Tasting on Old Mission Peninsula — A scenic peninsula with over a dozen wineries stretching into Grand Traverse Bay.
- Grand Traverse Bay Beaches — Swim in crystal-clear freshwater at beaches along the bay.
- TART Trails — Paved and unpaved trails for biking and running throughout the region.
Take full advantage of your time in Traverse City. 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
Traverse City, Michigan offers travel nurses a stunning northern Michigan resort town with a strong regional hospital, world-class wine and beaches, and four-season outdoor recreation. With Munson Healthcare 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 Traverse City, 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 Traverse City assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Traverse City assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.