If you’re looking for your next assignment this fall, two questions usually come first: How much does it pay? and How far will that paycheck go? We reviewed the current Travel Nurses, Inc. job postings, compared cost-of-living data, and looked at the healthcare landscape in each state. The result highlights five states where demand is strong, pay is competitive and your take-home can stretch further.
Jobs on the
board: Emergency, operating room, women’s health, imaging and special procedures across major metros.
Weekly pay: ER RN roles commonly top $3,000 per week.
Cost of living: Prices sit close to the national average, so your paycheck goes further compared with higher-cost states.
Healthcare landscape: Large metro systems offer strong resources, while many rural hospitals face ongoing financial pressure
Jobs on
the board: Telemetry and emergency openings in Phoenix and surrounding areas, plus statewide clinic roles.
Weekly pay: Many RN roles average in the mid-$2,000s, with higher rates in critical care.
Cost of living: Close to the U.S. average, giving you solid purchasing power.
Healthcare landscape: Major urban hospitals anchor the system, while rural areas continue to see staffing shortages.
Weekly pay: ER nurses average about $2,300 per week, with higher rates in imaging.
Cost of living: Below the national average, helping your stipend stretch further.
Healthcare landscape: North Carolina is home to top-rated hospitals and academic centers, though rural regions continue to face access challenges.
Jobs on the board: Special procedures, medical-surgical, pediatrics, cath lab and respiratory therapy roles, particularly in Charleston and inland regions.
Weekly pay: Special procedures positions are around $2,200 per week.
Cost of living: Below the national average, giving travelers more room in their budgets.
Healthcare landscape: South Carolina ranks highly in hospital safety grades, with MUSC and other regional systems leading the way. Rural areas continue to face provider shortages.
Jobs o
n the board: High-acuity positions such as PICU, ICU and perioperative in Oakland, Sacramento and the Bay Area.
Weekly pay: PICU roles can top $3,000 per week, some of the highest in the nation.
Cost of living: California has the highest prices in the country, so net purchasing power is lower compared with other states.
Healthcare landscape: The state is home to world-class hospitals and academic centers, though safety grades and outcomes vary by facility.
We compared live job postings from Travel Nurses, Inc. with data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Regional Price Parities, which measure the relative cost of living in each state. We then added quality and access data from Leapfrog and other healthcare research groups. This approach highlights where pay, cost of living and hospital safety intersect to create the best opportunities for travelers.
How should I factor housing costs into my calculations?
Your gross weekly rate looks great on paper, but housing can quickly change the math. Always compare stipends with local rental prices. For example, $3,000 a week in California may stretch less than $2,500 a week in North Carolina once rent is accounted for.
What is a tax home, and why does it matter?
Your tax home is your primary residence where you regularly work and incur expenses. To qualify for tax-free stipends on housing and meals, you must maintain your tax home and duplicate expenses while on assignment. Without a valid tax home, stipends may be considered taxable income.
What if I’m new to travel nursing?
Start by researching housing costs in the city where you plan to work and compare them with your stipend. Confirm your tax home status with a licensed tax professional so you understand how stipends will be treated. Planning ahead helps you avoid surprises when paychecks arrive.
If you want the strongest combination of pay and cost of living, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina are excellent options. If your focus is gross pay alone, still leads, but housing costs should be factored into your decision. No matter where you go, always check the safety ratings and resources of the specific facility before you accept an assignment.
