Travel Nurse Housing in Whitefish, Montana: Complete Guide
Whitefish is a charming mountain town in northwest Montana, gateway to Glacier National Park and home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Travel nurses find demand at North Valley Hospital and enjoy some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in America.
North Valley Hospital serves the Whitefish area. Kalispell Regional Medical Center is 15 minutes south.
Whether you are heading to Whitefish 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. Whitefish 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
Whitefish 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.
North Valley Hospital — A critical access hospital in Whitefish with emergency and medical services.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center — A larger hospital 15 minutes south in Kalispell with comprehensive services and Level III trauma designation.
Travel nurse demand in Whitefish is generally moderate to strong, with ED, med-surg, and ICU being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer (Glacier National Park) and 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 Whitefish 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 Whitefish.
Downtown Whitefish
A walkable downtown with restaurants, shops, and Amtrak service.
Pros: Walkable, dining, community feel, ski shuttle access, Amtrak
Cons: Higher rents for the area, tourist traffic in season, limited housing
Whitefish Lake Area
Residential neighborhoods near the lake with water access.
Pros: Lake access, quieter, mountain views, residential, scenic
Cons: Higher rents, car-dependent, seasonal visitors
Kalispell
The Flathead Valley’s commercial center with more housing options.
Pros: More affordable, more housing options, services, Kalispell Regional hospital
Cons: Less charming, car-dependent, commercial feel, farther from Glacier
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Whitefish to Kalispell is about 15 minutes on Highway 93. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Whitefish through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Whitefish 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: $900 to $1,500 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,800 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,200 per month
Whitefish housing is tight and has gotten expensive with growth. Kalispell and Columbia Falls offer more affordable options with short commutes.
Many travel nurses in Whitefish 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 Whitefish, MT 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 Whitefish
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Whitefish that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Montana has no sales tax — No sales tax saves on purchases. Montana does have state income tax.
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Glacier National Park — One of the most spectacular national parks in America is just 25 miles from Whitefish.
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Amtrak service — The Empire Builder Amtrak train stops in Whitefish, connecting to Seattle and Chicago.
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Growing community — Whitefish has grown rapidly, putting pressure on housing and changing the small-town feel.
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
Whitefish’s cost of living is above average and rising with population growth. Housing is the primary expense.
When budgeting for your Whitefish assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Super 1 Foods and Costco (in Kalispell) are popular grocery options. The farmers market runs in summer. 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. Whitefish has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Glacier National Park — The Crown of the Continent with Going-to-the-Sun Road, glacier-carved valleys, and over 700 miles of hiking trails.
- Whitefish Mountain Resort — A friendly ski resort with 3,000 acres of terrain and Glacier Park views from the summit.
- Whitefish Lake — Swimming, paddleboarding, and sunset watching on one of Montana’s most beautiful lakes.
- Flathead Lake — The largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, about 30 minutes south.
Take full advantage of your time in Whitefish. 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
Whitefish, Montana offers travel nurses a Montana mountain town with Glacier National Park access, Whitefish Mountain skiing, pristine lakes, and travel nursing opportunities at North Valley Hospital and nearby Kalispell Regional Medical Center. With North Valley Hospital and Kalispell Regional Medical Center 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 Whitefish, 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 Whitefish assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Whitefish assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.