The Best Cities For Travel Nurses in 2026

Travel nursing has always been about more than the assignment. It's about choosing where you want to live for the next chapter — whether that's mountains, coastline, vibrant cities, or slower Southern towns with incredible food and culture.

In 2026, travel nurses are prioritizing three things when choosing assignments:

• ●Competitive pay
• ●High-quality hospital systems
• ●Cities that offer a great lifestyle outside the hospital

Across the U.S., certain destinations consistently stand out — offering strong contracts, excellent healthcare networks, and places where nurses can truly enjoy their time off.

Here are some of the best cities for travel nurses this year.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle continues to be one of the most attractive travel nurse destinations thanks to competitive pay and a strong healthcare network including major systems like UW Medicine and Swedish Medical Center.

Beyond the hospital, Seattle offers incredible quality of life. Think waterfront views, coffee culture, and easy access to outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and national parks.

Why nurses love Seattle:

• ●Strong contracts and high pay
• ●Top-tier hospital systems
• ●Outdoor lifestyle and natural beauty

Austin, Texas

Austin has quickly become one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the country, with hospitals frequently recruiting travel nurses across specialties like labor and delivery, telemetry, and operating room care.

Outside of work, Austin offers one of the most dynamic lifestyles in the country — live music, incredible restaurants, and a vibrant young professional community.

Why nurses love Austin:

• ●Growing healthcare demand
• ●Lively culture and music scene
• ●Warm climate and outdoor recreation

San Diego, California

California continues to lead the nation in travel nurse compensation, with many contracts offering some of the highest weekly pay in the country.

San Diego combines strong healthcare systems with one of the best lifestyles in the U.S. — beaches, year-round sunshine, and a relaxed coastal culture.

Why nurses love San Diego:

• ●Top-tier pay
• ●Beach lifestyle
• ●Large healthcare systems with diverse specialties

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh has quietly become one of the best cities for travel nurses who want strong opportunities without the extreme cost of living found in major metros.

North Carolina offers respected hospital systems, mild weather, and easy access to both mountains and beaches — making it a balanced lifestyle choice for travel nurses.

Why nurses love Raleigh:

• ●Strong hospital networks
• ●Affordable cost of living
• ●Easy weekend escapes to the coast or mountains

Nashville, Tennessee

Healthcare is one of Nashville's largest industries, which means there's no shortage of hospitals, medical centers, and travel nurse opportunities.

But what really makes Nashville stand out is lifestyle — incredible restaurants, live music, and a vibrant social scene. It's a city where nurses can work hard and actually enjoy their days off.

Why nurses love Nashville:

• ●Major healthcare hub
• ●Music, culture, and food scene
• ●Fast-growing city with new opportunities

Boise, Idaho

For nurses looking to escape major metros, Boise has become one of the most appealing emerging destinations. The city offers strong contracts combined with a slower pace of life and access to incredible outdoor recreation.

Why nurses love Boise:

• ●Competitive contracts in smaller markets
• ●Outdoor lifestyle
• ●Growing healthcare systems

What Makes a City Great for Travel Nurses?

While pay is important, the best assignments offer something more: balance.

Travel nurses are increasingly choosing cities that offer:

• ●Great hospitals and supportive teams
• ●Housing options that feel like home
• ●Lifestyle and community outside the hospital

Because a travel assignment isn't just a job — it's a place to live for the next 13 weeks.

The Liviana Perspective

At Liviana, we believe where you stay matters just as much as where you work.

That's why we're building a curated network of homes designed specifically for travel nurses — so wherever your next assignment takes you, you have a place that feels comfortable, intentional, and restorative.

Because nurses deserve more than just a place to sleep.

They deserve a place to Liv well between shifts.