{"id":8286,"date":"2024-07-01T14:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T14:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=8286"},"modified":"2024-08-05T15:56:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T15:56:27","slug":"how-to-find-the-best-travel-nurse-housing-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-to-find-the-best-travel-nurse-housing-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find the Best Travel Nurse Housing in California"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the bustling streets of <\/span>Los Angeles<\/span><\/a> to the stunning beaches of <\/span>San Diego<\/span><\/a>, California remains one of the most popular states for traveling nurses and other healthcare providers (HCPs) filling temporary assignments around the nation. While you\u2019ll find an array of living options in the Golden State, being home to over <\/span>38 million residents<\/span><\/a> often makes finding suitable travel nurse housing in California challenging. Limited availability and high costs can make home options scarce. Vivian Health gathered essential tips to help you balance comfort, convenience and affordability so you don\u2019t miss out on the ultimate California Dreamin\u2019 assignment.<\/span><\/p>\n

California’s Limited Travel Nurse Housing Market<\/b><\/h3>\n

Working in the Golden State<\/span><\/a> on a travel assignment offers an exciting opportunity to experience everything the state has to offer, from iconic attractions to a spectacular climate. Travel nurses have even more reasons to love California, with its higher-than-average pay and legally mandated safe nurse staffing requirements. However, navigating California\u2019s notably competitive rental market often requires adaptability and strategic planning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flexibility in lease terms is crucial for travel nurses who typically stay in a location for only a few months. It\u2019s essential to find property owners or managers willing to offer short-term lease options or month-to-month arrangements to align with your contract duration. Unfortunately, these options often come with the highest price tag.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the transient and short-term nature of travel nursing also requires finding fully furnished accommodations. It\u2019s simply not practical to drag necessary furnishings to each assignment. Although renting furniture could be a feasible alternative, it\u2019s not always an ideal option or available everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost of Living Considerations for Transient Nurses in California<\/b><\/h3>\n

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California\u2019s vibrant cities and scenic locales come at a premium, with the state\u2019s cost of living notoriously higher than the national average. Inflated costs for housing, utilities and daily essentials are crucial factors for travel nurses to consider when <\/span>evaluating travel nursing contracts<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), California had the <\/span>third-highest cost of living<\/span><\/a> compared to the national average based on annual data for 2023. The Golden State\u2019s average cost of living was 38.5% higher than the national average, with housing costs the primary influencer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

California’s average cost of housing was nearly double the national average at 198.8%, and utility costs were 27% higher. Based on <\/span>fair market value (FMV) data<\/span><\/a> effective from October 2023 to September 2024 published by the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), the FMV of a one-bedroom apartment in California, including utilities, was $1,421. A two-bedroom jumped to $1,788 and a three-bedroom to $2,429 for those nurses traveling with family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Tips for How to Successfully Travel Nurse with Family<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Short-term housing in California with multiple bedrooms may be even more scarce, and FMVs vary greatly by location. The metro area with the highest FMV for a single bedroom during this period was Santa Cruz-Watsonville at $3,085, while the lowest FMV of $802 was in Modoc County, in the far northeastern corner of the state. For clarity, the following table lists several California metro areas and their corresponding FMVs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Metro Area<\/b><\/td>\nFair Market Value of 1-Bedroom<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bakersfield\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$967<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Visalia-Porterville\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$989<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fresno\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$1,157<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$1,611<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$1,731<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$2,006<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Diego-Carlsbad\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$2,248<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$2,344<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Francisco\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n$2,818<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

As you can see, popular metros are often at the higher end of the spectrum, while those a few hours away from the ocean are typically lower in cost. Travel nurses who qualify for tax-free stipends can use these funds to cover housing, but it might not be enough in really high-cost areas. Also, the averages above include utilities, but energy prices fluctuate based on season, region and provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How Travel Nurse Housing Stipends Work<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

These higher living costs are why <\/span>travel nursing jobs in California<\/span><\/a> often pay so much more than similar jobs in other states. Although many salaries in the state may seem lucrative, it\u2019s essential to ensure it\u2019s actually a livable wage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to salary data on Vivian Health in early June 2024, the average salary for California travel nursing jobs was $2,411 per week. While this was about 13% more than the national average, <\/span>travel nursing salaries in California<\/span><\/a> vary by location. For example, jobs in Oxnard paid a premium during this period, averaging $4,792 weekly, while one full-time travel contract in Glendale paid well below average at $1,643 per week.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Dollars and Sense: Travel Nurse Salaries Explained<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Seasonal Fluctuations and Short-Term Housing Challenges<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Because certain parts of California have gorgeous weather year-round, seasonal fluctuations might not be as noticeable but do occur. These fluctuations could impact housing availability and rental prices, further complicating the search for short-term housing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Southern California is a popular haven for snowbirds \u2014 older adults seeking warmer climates during the winter months \u2014 and the region\u2019s plentiful RV parks and outdoor activities strengthen the draw. While the influx of snowbirds in the winter likely won\u2019t impact the availability of short-term housing much, it could increase patient census as aging adults often have more medical needs. Increased patient load typically means a greater need for temporary staff to help out, resulting in more job openings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, the summer season sees an influx of tourists, especially in coastal cities and major tourist destinations such as world-famous theme parks. Hospitals and clinics may see an increased patient load due to rising injuries and illnesses among non-residents and require additional staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike the winter season, the increased tourist population could impact the availability of short-term housing. On the plus side, vacationers typically stick to rental booking sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. While travel nurses may turn to these platforms if they can\u2019t find anything elsewhere, they usually aren\u2019t their preferred housing locator services because rentals typically cost more than other options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Travel nurses can plan their assignments during off-peak periods to mitigate seasonal housing challenges. While this may slightly impact pay rates and job availability, the high overall demand for healthcare professionals in California usually softens any negative effects. Plus, landlords may offer rentals at discounted rates outside an area\u2019s regular tourist season. Reduced rent could help further defray a possible pay cut.<\/span><\/p>\n

Practical Tips for Securing Short-Term Housing Solutions<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Securing short-term housing in California’s competitive rental market requires travel nurses to employ strategic approaches tailored to their transient lifestyle. Consider these practical tips to navigate this complex undertaking effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n