Travel Nurse Housing in Wilmington, North Carolina: Complete Guide

Wilmington is a charming coastal city in southeastern North Carolina with a historic riverfront downtown, beautiful beaches, and a growing healthcare market. Travel nurses enjoy the beach lifestyle, mild winters, and affordable living.

Wilmington’s healthcare includes Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, the region’s major hospital.

Whether you are heading to Wilmington 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. Wilmington 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

Wilmington 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.

Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center — A Level II trauma center and the largest hospital in southeastern North Carolina with comprehensive services.

Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center — A community hospital serving the southern coastal area.

Travel nurse demand in Wilmington 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 summer tourist season and winter flu 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington.

Downtown Wilmington

The historic riverfront district with restaurants, shops, and walkable streets.

Pros: Walkable, riverfront dining, historic charm, close to hospital

Cons: Higher rents, tourist crowds, parking limited, humidity

Wrightsville Beach

A popular beach community east of downtown with oceanfront living.

Pros: Beach access, active lifestyle, beautiful setting

Cons: Expensive, tourist traffic, far from hospital, seasonal pricing

Midtown and Oleander

Central residential areas with moderate rents and proximity to the hospital.

Pros: Moderate rents, close to hospital, shopping access, residential

Cons: Car-dependent, limited walkability, some areas dated

Leland

A growing suburb across the Cape Fear River with affordable new construction.

Pros: Affordable, new apartments, safe, growing community

Cons: Bridge commute, car-dependent, far from beach, suburban

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Wilmington is car-dependent. The city is compact with commutes under 20 minutes. Bridge traffic to Leland can add time. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Wilmington through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Wilmington are roughly 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: $850 to $1,350 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,000 per month

Wilmington offers moderate rents with a beach-town premium near the water. NC is a compact state for nursing licensure.

Many travel nurses in Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC 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 Wilmington

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

1. North Carolina is a compact state — NC participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact.

2. Hurricane season is real — Wilmington is on the hurricane-prone coast. Know evacuation routes.

3. Beach lifestyle — Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach are minutes from downtown.

4. Film industry presence — Wilmington is a major film production center, giving the city a creative energy.

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

Wilmington has a cost of living roughly at the national average with beach-area premiums. Groceries are at national norms. Dining is reasonable with excellent seafood.

When budgeting for your Wilmington assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Harris Teeter and Food Lion offer good grocery prices. Fresh local seafood is abundant and affordable. Free beach access keeps entertainment costs low. 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. Wilmington has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Wrightsville Beach — Beautiful Atlantic beach minutes from downtown for swimming, surfing, and sunsets.
• Riverwalk — Wilmington’s scenic boardwalk along the Cape Fear River with shops and restaurants.
• Airlie Gardens — A 67-acre garden with the famous Airlie Oak, seasonal blooms, and waterfront views.
• Carolina Beach State Park — Hiking trails, fishing, and the Venus flytrap habitat unique to this region.

Take full advantage of your time in Wilmington. 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

Wilmington, North Carolina offers travel nurses a charming coastal city with a strong regional hospital, beautiful beaches, and the quality of life that comes with North Carolina’s mild climate. With Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and a 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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