Travel Nurse Locations with the Lowest Cost of Living in 2025
Not all travel nursing contracts are created equal.
While many nurses focus on hourly rates, the smartest travel nurses evaluate total compensation—including cost of living.
After all, earning $2,800 per week in one city may go much further than $3,200 in another.
In this article, we’ll break down the top travel nurse locations in 2025 with the lowest cost of living, helping you stretch your take-home pay and increase your financial freedom—without compromising on job quality or credential readiness.
Why Cost of Living Matters More Than Just Pay
While pay packages are often what attract travel nurses to specific contracts, cost of living determines how much you actually keep.
Two travel nurses earning the same gross weekly pay can experience dramatically different lifestyles depending on:
- Housing costs
- Transportation and fuel prices
- State and local taxes
- Food and utilities
That’s why total net value per contract is a smarter way to evaluate opportunities.
🏡 Top 5 Low Cost of Living Travel Nurse Locations in 2025
These cities offer a blend of affordable living, consistent contract availability, and strong weekly pay.
1. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,300 – $2,800
- Cost of Living Index: 83 (national average = 100)
- Why It Works: Strong regional hospitals, affordable housing, low traffic
2. Knoxville, Tennessee
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,200 – $2,600
- Cost of Living Index: 85
- Why It Works: Low housing costs, no state income tax, proximity to mountains and national parks
3. Des Moines, Iowa
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,400 – $2,900
- Cost of Living Index: 84
- Why It Works: High nurse demand in the Midwest, very affordable rents, excellent safety ratings
4. Little Rock, Arkansas
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,100 – $2,500
- Cost of Living Index: 82
- Why It Works: Rural and suburban hospital systems, low-cost rentals, moderate climate
5. Spokane, Washington
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,500 – $3,000
- Cost of Living Index: 87
- Why It Works: Lower cost than Seattle with high demand for med-surg and telemetry
⚠️ Regions to Approach with Caution
While locations like San Francisco, New York City, and Honolulu may offer flashy pay rates, they come with serious tradeoffs:
- Housing can consume 50% or more of your take-home pay
- Parking, groceries, and taxes can be 30–50% higher than national averages
- High credentialing and onboarding requirements in some metro areas
💡 Pro Tip: Your Cost Advantage Means Nothing If You’re Not Credential-Ready
In low cost of living markets, competition can be fierce—especially when housing stipends go further and nurses stay longer.
Facilities prioritize candidates who:
- Have active state licenses
- Submit complete credential files within 24–48 hours
- Can start quickly, without delays
VitalPro Docs Makes You the First Choice
VitalPro Docs ensures you’re the nurse that facilities want to hire first.
Upload your credentials once, track expiration dates automatically, and share your entire compliance packet in seconds.
With VPD, you can:
- Track multi-state licensure status
- Store and update all credentialing docs in one secure portal
- Share verified bundles with any agency, instantly
🔍 Is Your Credential System Putting You at Risk?
Take our free 2-minute risk assessment to find out how secure, organized, and contract-ready your professional documents really are.
Whether you’re a CRNA, APRN, or travel nurse, this quick tool will show you where you stand — and what steps you can take to protect your career.
Final Thought
Maximizing your earnings as a travel nurse isn’t just about chasing the highest hourly rate—it’s about understanding the real value of your paycheck.
Choosing contracts in low cost of living locations gives you more financial flexibility, less stress, and greater freedom to plan your next move.
Make your next contract count—on the ground and on paper.
Start with VitalPro Docs and make credential readiness part of your competitive advantage.
