Your housing stipend is the biggest opportunity to boost your take-home pay. Find housing for less than your stipend and you pocket the difference — tax free. Here's how to do it right.
Read the Guide ↓Ranked by financial benefit — from most savings to most convenience.
The growing trend among travel therapists. RV park fees typically run $500-900/month, leaving you with the largest stipend surplus — often $400-700+/week in your pocket. Best for couples (share the space and double the savings with two stipends). Upfront investment in an RV ranges from $10K-50K+ but pays for itself quickly. Parks near most healthcare facilities have full hookups, laundry, and wifi.
Furnished Finder is the #1 platform for travel healthcare housing. Landlords list furnished, short-term rentals specifically for 13-week assignments. Typical costs: $800-1,500/month for a private room or apartment, depending on location. If your housing stipend is $1,200/week and you find housing for $300/week — that's $900/week tax-free in your pocket. Over a 13-week contract, that's $11,700 extra take-home.
Extended Stay America, WoodSpring Suites, and similar chains offer weekly rates from $350-700/week with a kitchenette, free wifi, and no lease. Great for your first 1-2 weeks while you find longer-term housing, or as a full-contract option in areas with limited rental inventory. No commitment, no security deposit, and you can leave if your contract gets cancelled.
Your agency finds and pays for housing directly. You give up your entire housing stipend. Zero hassle, but also zero financial benefit from the housing component. Consider this only for your very first contract if you want to focus 100% on the clinical side without any housing stress. After that, always take the stipend.
How much of your housing stipend you keep depends on your strategy.
GSA housing rates for a mid-cost city might be $110/night = $770/week. If you find a Furnished Finder rental at $1,400/month ($350/week), you pocket $420/week tax-free. That's $5,460 over 13 weeks — just from being smart about housing. In expensive cities, the stipend is higher but so is rent — you might only pocket $100-200/week. In affordable areas, you could pocket $500+/week.
Start your search 4-6 weeks before your start date. Look beyond Furnished Finder: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist rooms for rent, Airbnb monthly stays (30+ day discounts), and local Facebook groups for the city. If you're traveling with a partner, one rental covers both of you. Some travelers even negotiate lower rent by offering to pay the full 13 weeks upfront.
Furnished (obviously), utilities included, wifi, washer/dryer access, pet-friendly if needed, and within reasonable commute of your facility. Avoid signing long leases — your contract could get cancelled. Month-to-month or 13-week terms are ideal. Always get a written rental agreement, even if renting from an individual. This protects you and documents your expenses for tax purposes.
Begin browsing Furnished Finder, Airbnb, and Facebook Marketplace for your assignment city. Set up alerts. Get a feel for what's available and the going rates. Don't commit yet — just research.
Start reaching out to landlords. Ask about availability for your specific dates. Request a video tour if you can't visit in person. Compare at least 3-5 options before deciding.
Lock in your housing. Sign the rental agreement, pay the deposit. Confirm move-in details, get keys/codes, and verify the address for your GPS. Book an extended-stay hotel for nights 1-2 as a backup in case of move-in issues.
Even furnished rentals may lack: your own pillow and sheets (trust us), kitchen basics (a good knife, pan, spatula), a Bluetooth speaker, a few comfort items from home, and your work supplies. Keep a "go bag" ready so packing for the next contract takes 30 minutes, not 3 hours.
Almost always take the stipend. The financial difference is substantial — typically $3,000-$6,000+ per 13-week contract in your pocket. The only time company housing makes sense is if it's your very first contract and you want zero logistics to worry about while you learn the ropes.
Expand your search radius to 30-45 minutes. Some travelers commute 30 minutes to save $200+/week on rent. Also consider extended-stay hotels as a bridge — they're available everywhere and require no lease commitment.
Yes, but plan ahead. Filter Furnished Finder listings for "pet-friendly." Some landlords charge a pet deposit ($100-300) or pet rent ($25-50/month). RV parks are almost always pet-friendly. Airbnb hosts vary — always confirm before booking.
Strongly recommended. Short-term renter's insurance costs $15-30/month and covers your belongings if something happens. Some agencies offer this as a benefit. Companies like Lemonade offer flexible, month-to-month policies perfect for travelers.
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