Travel Nurse Housing in Tulsa, Oklahoma: Complete Guide

Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second-largest city with an art deco heritage, revitalized downtown, and affordable living along the Arkansas River. Travel nurses find a solid healthcare market and one of the lowest costs of living in the country.

Tulsa’s healthcare includes Saint Francis Health System, Ascension St. John, Hillcrest Medical Center, and the OSU Medical Center.

Whether you are heading to Tulsa 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. Tulsa 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

Tulsa 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.

Saint Francis Hospital — Oklahoma’s largest hospital with comprehensive services and strong cardiac and trauma programs.

Ascension St. John Medical Center — A major teaching hospital in Tulsa with a Level II trauma center.

Hillcrest Medical Center — A large community hospital with strong orthopedic and surgical programs.

Oklahoma State University Medical Center — A teaching hospital affiliated with OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Travel nurse demand in Tulsa 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 winter flu season and tornado season in spring. 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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa.

Brookside

A charming strip along Peoria Avenue with restaurants, shops, and walkable streets. Popular with young professionals.

Pros: Walkable, excellent dining, community character, moderate rents

Cons: Limited parking near restaurants, older homes, car needed for hospital commutes

Cherry Street

A vibrant commercial strip near downtown with bars, restaurants, and local shops.

Pros: Walkable nightlife, close to downtown hospitals, affordable, eclectic character

Cons: Noise from bars, limited parking, some surrounding blocks need awareness

Midtown

Central Tulsa neighborhood with a mix of historic homes and newer developments near major hospital campuses.

Pros: Central location, close to hospitals, moderate rents, mature trees

Cons: Mixed neighborhood quality, some areas transitional, car-dependent

South Tulsa and Broken Arrow

Suburban areas south of the city with newer apartments and family-friendly communities.

Pros: Safe, modern apartments, affordable, good shopping

Cons: Suburban sprawl, car-dependent, far from downtown, limited character

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Tulsa is car-dependent with minimal public transit. The city is easy to navigate and commutes are typically under 20 minutes. Traffic is light compared to larger cities. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Tulsa through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Tulsa are 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: $650 to $1,000 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $750 to $1,200 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,000 to $1,600 per month

Tulsa is extremely affordable. Your stipend will go very far, and quality furnished housing is available well below stipend amounts.

Many travel nurses in Tulsa 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 Tulsa, OK 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 Tulsa

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Tulsa that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. Tornado preparedness — Tulsa is in Tornado Alley. Know shelter locations and have a weather alert app. Tornado season peaks from April through June.

2. The Gathering Place is incredible — Tulsa’s Gathering Place is a world-class 66-acre park with playgrounds, trails, and water features. It was named the best new attraction in the US.

3. Art deco architecture — Tulsa has one of the largest collections of art deco architecture in the country, concentrated in downtown.

4. Oklahoma income tax — Oklahoma has a state income tax, but the very low cost of living makes Tulsa financially attractive.

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

Tulsa has one of the lowest costs of living among mid-sized US cities. Groceries are well below the national average. Gas is very cheap. Dining out is extremely affordable with excellent barbecue, Mexican, and Vietnamese food.

When budgeting for your Tulsa assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Reasor’s and Aldi offer great grocery prices. Tulsa’s diverse food scene is outstanding and incredibly affordable. The Gathering Place and River Parks trails provide free recreation. 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. Tulsa has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• The Gathering Place — A world-class 66-acre park with adventure playgrounds, skateparks, water features, and trails. Named America’s best new attraction.
• Philbrook Museum of Art — An Italian Renaissance villa turned art museum with beautiful gardens and collections.
• Route 66 Heritage — Tulsa sits on historic Route 66 with neon signs, vintage diners, and nostalgic Americana.
• Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness — Over 300 acres of trails for hiking and mountain biking just minutes from downtown.

Take full advantage of your time in Tulsa. 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

Tulsa, Oklahoma offers travel nurses an extremely affordable city with strong hospital systems, world-class parks, and a revitalized downtown that continues to surprise visitors. With Saint Francis Health System, Ascension St. John, and Hillcrest Medical Center and a low 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 Tulsa, 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 Tulsa assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Tulsa assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.