Traveling Nurse Housing in Houston: The Complete Guide
Traveling Nurse Housing in Houston: The Complete Guide
If you've just accepted a 13-week contract in Houston, congratulations — you're heading to the largest medical center in the world. The Texas Medical Center alone employs over 100,000 people across 60+ institutions. That means there's always demand for travel nurses, and always competition for good housing.
Here's everything we've learned from hosting hundreds of healthcare travelers over the past 5 years.
Where to Stay: Location Matters More Than You Think
After a 12-hour shift, the last thing you want is a 45-minute commute. Houston traffic is real, and it's unpredictable. Here's our honest breakdown of locations relative to the major hospitals:
Near Texas Medical Center / MD Anderson / Memorial Hermann TMC
Best neighborhoods: Museum District, Murworth, Oxford area
These properties put you within a 5-15 minute drive (or even biking distance) of the TMC campus. During off-peak hours, you might be home in under 10 minutes.
- Oxford — 1.2 miles from TMC main campus. Some nurses bike or scooter to work.
- Murworth — 0.8 miles from NRG/TMC area. Literally the closest you can get without living on campus.
Near Memorial Hermann Memorial City / Houston Methodist West
Best neighborhoods: Galleria Area (Aftonshire, Fargo)
The Galleria area properties are 15-20 minutes from the Memorial City campus and close to the Energy Corridor hospitals.
Near HCA Houston Healthcare / St. Luke's
Multiple locations work depending on which HCA campus you're assigned to. Text us your hospital and we'll recommend the closest property.
What's Included (So You Don't Have to Pack It)
Every StayHTOWN apartment comes move-in ready for a travel nurse assignment:
- Queen or king bed with quality mattress and linens
- Full kitchen — not a kitchenette. Real stove, full-size fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and all cookware/dishes
- In-unit or on-site laundry — critical for scrubs
- Fast WiFi — we're talking 100+ Mbps, enough for streaming, video calls, and charting from home
- Dedicated workspace — desk and chair, not just a kitchen counter
- Free parking — no $200/month garage fees
- Smart TV with streaming apps
- All utilities included — electric, water, gas, internet, trash
Pricing: What Travel Nurses Actually Pay
Let's be real about numbers. Here's what our travel nurse guests typically pay:
| Stay Length | Nightly Rate Range | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 13 weeks (standard contract) | $79–$109/night | $2,370–$3,270/month |
| 26 weeks (extension) | $75–$99/night | $2,250–$2,970/month |
| Single contract (13 weeks) | $85–$109/night | $2,550–$3,270/month |
Why this beats the alternatives:
- Hotels: $150–$250/night = $4,500–$7,500/month (no kitchen, no laundry, tiny room)
- Airbnb: Similar pricing to us, but add 12-15% service fees + inconsistent quality
- Traditional lease: Cheaper monthly, but requires 12-month commitment, furniture, utility setup, and you're stuck if your contract doesn't renew
Tax advantage: Stays over 30 days are exempt from Texas hotel occupancy tax (6%). That's automatic savings you don't get at hotels.
How to Book: The Process
- Text or email us with your hospital, start date, and preferred bedroom size
- We'll send options — usually 2-3 properties that match your location and budget
- Virtual tour if you want one (we'll FaceTime or send a video walkthrough)
- Book with 3 nights deposit — that's it. No first/last/security deposit nonsense
- Show up and move in — keys, WiFi password, and a welcome guide waiting for you
Most nurses book 2-4 weeks before their start date. Earlier is better for peak season (January–March), but we almost always have availability.
Tips From Nurses Who've Stayed With Us
After hosting 200+ travel nurses, here are the patterns we've noticed:
Bring less than you think. Our apartments are fully furnished and equipped. Most nurses over-pack on their first assignment and learn to travel lighter on subsequent ones.
Get a bike or scooter. If you're staying near the Med Center (Oxford or Murworth), a bike can be faster than driving during shift change. Houston is flat — biking is easy.
Join the Facebook groups. "Travel Nurses in Houston" and "Houston Travel Healthcare Professionals" are active communities where you can find gym buddies, explore the city, and get restaurant recommendations.
Use your stipend wisely. Your housing stipend is tax-free up to the GSA per diem rate for Houston. Our rates are designed to fit within typical stipend ranges, so you can maximize your take-home pay.
Ready to Book Your Houston Assignment?
We've been housing travel nurses since 2019. We know what you need, we know the hospitals, and we respond to texts within 2 hours.
Check availability [blocked] or text us at (713) 261-0710 with your assignment details.
