Travel Nurse Housing in Worcester, Massachusetts: Complete Guide
Worcester is the second-largest city in New England and a growing healthcare hub in central Massachusetts. Travel nurses find strong hospital systems, moderate costs compared to Boston, and easy access to both Boston and the scenic New England countryside.
Worcester’s healthcare includes UMass Memorial Health and Saint Vincent Hospital.
Whether you are heading to Worcester 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. Worcester 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
Worcester 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.
UMass Memorial Medical Center — The clinical partner of UMass Chan Medical School and a Level I trauma center serving central Massachusetts.
Saint Vincent Hospital — A large community hospital with comprehensive medical and surgical services.
UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital — A community hospital in nearby Leominster serving north-central Massachusetts.
Travel nurse demand in Worcester 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. 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 Worcester 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 Worcester.
Shrewsbury Street
Worcester’s restaurant row with an eclectic mix of dining options and proximity to UMass Memorial.
Pros: Excellent dining, close to hospitals, affordable, diverse restaurants
Cons: Limited walkability beyond the restaurant strip, some areas need awareness, older housing
College Hill
Near College of the Holy Cross with residential charm and moderate rents.
Pros: Residential charm, moderate rents, close to hospitals, community feel
Cons: Hilly, limited nightlife, car-dependent for most errands
Canal District
A revitalized area with restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues near Polar Park.
Pros: Growing nightlife, Polar Park baseball, walkable, affordable rents
Cons: Still developing, limited housing options, some blocks transitional
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Worcester has a commuter rail connection to Boston but local transit is limited. Most travel nurses drive with commutes under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Worcester through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Worcester 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 $1,400 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,050 to $1,600 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,000 per month
Worcester is significantly more affordable than Boston. Your stipend goes further here while you still have access to the broader Massachusetts healthcare market.
Many travel nurses in Worcester 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 Worcester, MA 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 Worcester
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Worcester that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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More affordable than Boston — Worcester offers Massachusetts-level hospital experience at a significantly lower cost of living than the Boston area.
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Commuter rail to Boston — The MBTA commuter rail connects Worcester to Boston in about 90 minutes, making day trips easy.
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Massachusetts income tax — Massachusetts has a flat state income tax. Factor this into pay calculations.
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New England charm — Worcester is surrounded by quintessential New England towns, fall foliage, and outdoor recreation.
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
Worcester has an above-average cost of living but is substantially cheaper than Boston. Groceries are slightly above national norms. Dining is reasonably priced.
When budgeting for your Worcester assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Price Chopper, Market Basket, and Aldi offer good grocery values. Shrewsbury Street restaurants provide excellent meals at moderate prices. 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. Worcester has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Worcester Art Museum — An excellent art museum with collections spanning 5,000 years including suits of armor and Impressionist paintings.
- Wachusett Mountain — Skiing and hiking about 30 minutes northwest of the city.
- Polar Park — Home of the Worcester Red Sox, the AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, in the revitalized Canal District.
- New England Fall Foliage — Central Massachusetts offers some of the best fall foliage in New England, typically peaking in mid-October.
Take full advantage of your time in Worcester. 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
Worcester, Massachusetts offers travel nurses an affordable alternative to Boston with strong academic medicine, New England charm, and easy access to the broader Massachusetts healthcare market. With UMass Memorial Health and Saint Vincent Hospital 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Worcester assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.