Housing for Travel Nurses: Your 2025 Compact State Cheat Sheet
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- •August 14, 2025
Simplify Your Next Move
Finding suitable housing for travel nurses can be challenging. Licensing, affordability, and location each play crucial roles in planning your next assignment. If you're licensed in a compact nursing state (NLC), you can streamline your search dramatically.
To simplify your next move, we've developed this easy-to-use cheat sheet. You'll find:
- A current 2025 NLC map
- Housing market insights based on real data
- Essential licensing tips
- Clear pathways to quickly locate available assignments
*Keep scrolling to get our free downloadable cheat sheet
Status | States | Go‑Live Notes |
|---|---|---|
Full (39) | AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, GU, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | Active now |
Partial | PA | Practice w/ existing multistate license; resident MSLs start 7 Jul 2025 |
Enacted – Pending | CT (1 Oct 2025), MA, US VI | Awaiting final rules |
*Always confirm at NCSBN before you pack
How Compact Licensing Simplifies Your Housing Search
A compact multistate license means you can accept assignments across multiple states without additional licensing steps. Less time dealing with travel nurse license requirements means more time securing ideal housing options quickly and confidently.
Compact licensing lets you:
- Speed up credentialing and relocation
- Pivot faster between assignments
- Minimize administrative stress
Most Affordable Compact States
According to 2025 median rental data, these states offer furnished rents significantly below the national average of approximately $1,370–$1,750 per month (ApartmentList, iPropertyManagement):
State | Median Monthly Rent (2025) |
|---|---|
West Virginia | $850 (source) |
Arkansas | $914 (source) |
Iowa | $949 (source) |
Kansas | $1,029 (source) |
Louisiana | $1,038 (source) |
These states represent excellent value, helping you stretch your travel stipend further.
🔥 High-Demand Compact States for Assignments
According to staffing trend reports, these compact states currently lead in travel nursing opportunities:
- Texas – Top demand nationwide
- Florida – High year-round demand
- North Carolina – Increasing healthcare growth
- Pennsylvania – Projected demand surge post-July 2025 upon achieving full compact status (Better Nurse)
With more than 90,700 open positions nationwide as of early 2025, opportunities remain abundant (Vivian Health).
Housing Fast Facts
Most Affordable (Median Furnished Rent < U.S. Avg.) | Highest Demand (Contracts Fill Fast) |
Alabama • Kansas • Arkansas • Iowa • Wisconsin | Texas • North Carolina • Florida • Arizona • Pennsylvania* |
*Demand is expected to spike after July 2025.
Recommended Platforms Furnished Finder • Airbnb Monthly • Private Facebook groups (vet hosts)
5 - Step Housing Checklist
- Confirm compact license (home & target state).
- Launch housing search the day you get an offer.
- Target month‑to‑month, utilities‑included leases.
- Budget one‑month rent + deposits (pets, parking).
- Purchase renter’s insurance before move‑in.
Ready to Move?
Recommended Housing Platforms
Travel nurses consistently rely on these resources to find suitable, furnished short-term accommodation:
- Furnished Finder – Nurse-focused furnished rental marketplace
- Airbnb Monthly – Flexible monthly rentals, fully furnished
- Private Facebook Groups – Peer recommendations; vet each opportunity carefully
Licensing Speed Bumps to Watch
Some compact states have extra licensing steps that could delay your move-in dates:
State | Additional Requirement | Avg. Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
Pennsylvania | Fingerprinting | 2–3 weeks |
Connecticut | System update (Oct. 2025) | TBD |
Washington | FBI background check | 2 weeks |
Louisiana | Separate RN/LPN procedures | 1 week* |
New Jersey | Electronic fingerprinting | 3–4 weeks |
Based on the initial accuracy of submissions.
Check each state’s status via the NCSBN Compact Map.
Quick-Start Housing Checklist for Compact States
To streamline your transition, take immediate action once your assignment is confirmed:
- Verify compact license eligibility
- Initiate housing search immediately
- Prioritize month-to-month leases with utilities included
- Budget for at least one month's rent plus deposits
- Secure renter’s insurance ahead of your move
Ready to Secure Your Next Assignment?
Search by state, discipline, or even city - Click below
Sources & References:
Further Traveler Resources:
Compact Licensure Status:
Housing Rental Data:
Travel Nursing Demand Data: