Houston, Texas | City Guide for Travel Healthcare Pros

Welcome to Houston, TX

Houston is a sprawling Texan metropolis, packed with cultural diversity, big-city energy, and a booming healthcare hub. From the lively Theater District to the serene Buffalo Bayou, this city delivers variety and opportunity—perfect for travel nurses looking to grow their experience while soaking up Southern charm. 🌆❤️🏥

Job

Houston is home to some of the most extensive healthcare systems in the country, including:

• Texas Medical Center – The world’s largest medical complex, featuring institutions like Texas Children’s Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Baylor College of Medicine

• Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, HCA Healthcare, CHI St. Luke’s, and others offer continuous contracts in ICU, ER, OR, MedSurg, NICU, PCU, and beyond

Expect high demand, premium pay, and opportunities for extension or float contracts across hundreds of units.

Cost of Living

Houston is pleasantly affordable for a major metro:

• Overall cost of living is 6% lower than the national average—housing and utilities are notably more affordable, while groceries and healthcare hover at or slightly below national norms. Del Webb+8Payscale+8RentCafe+8San Antonio Express-News+1

• Median rent: ~$1,362–$1,400/month RentCafe+1

• Housing costs: ~20% lower than national average Apartments.com+1

• Monthly living cost (single, excluding rent): ~$1,130 Numbeo+1

• For a “comfortable” lifestyle, a single adult may need to earn ~$90,800/year, while a family of four needs ~$105,000–$205,000/year depending on savings and discretionary spending goals Houston Chronicle

• But affordability is under pressure—climate risks, rising insurance costs, and recent rent increases (up 9%) are making things tighter—particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods Houston Chronicle+2New York Post+2

Weather by Month

Houston has a humid subtropical climate—long, hot summers and mild winters.

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Description
January	~62°F	~43°F	🌤 Mild and pleasant
March	~70°F	~54°F	🌷 Spring green and blooming
May	~83°F	~66°F	☀️ Warm but manageable
July–Aug	~95–98°F	~76–79°F	🔥 Sweltering, high humidity
October	~80°F	~62°F	🍁 Comfortable fall weather
December	~64°F	~50°F	❄️ Mild winter vibes

Summers can feel brutal—temperatures past 100°F are common—with combined heat index levels making AC a must. MySA

Furnished Housing Options

Houston offers plentiful furnished housing for travel nurses:

• Travel Nurse Housing lists over 1,800 furnished rentals in the area, including homes, apartments, and even RV-friendly options Apartments.com+10travelnursehousing.com+10thegypsynurse.com+10

• Furnished Finder and Travel Nurse Housing partner to provide hundreds more—many within easy reach of hospitals, no extra booking fees Furnished Finder+9Vivian Health+9Facebook+9

• Sample: Cozy 3BR/2.5BA home near Texas Medical Center with in-unit laundry, kitchen, Wi-Fi—perfect for multiple nurses or longer stays Furnished Finder+2Vivian Health+2

Extended Stay Hotels

Look for options in Midtown, Medical Center, or Downtown:

• Residence Inn by Marriott Medical Center – Suites with full kitchens, great for extended contracts

• Staybridge Suites or Homewood Suites – Reliable comfort, often with breakfast and kitchenettes

• Many hotels in the Galleria and Greenway Plaza also offer extended-stay perks—happy to dig specifics!

RV Parks

Options are a bit limited within city limits, but neighboring areas offer:

• Brays Bayou and other county camping areas may allow RV access

• Nearby suburbs like Pasadena, Pearland, or Webster might have full-hookup parks

• Let me know if you want help mapping those out!

Fun Things to Do

Houston has something for everyone:

• Buffalo Bayou Park – Greenway trails, kayaking, outdoor art

• Houston Museum District – MFAH, Children’s Museum, Holocaust Museum

• Theater District & Toyota Center – Concerts, Broadway, Rockets games

• Bayou City & Houston Symphony – Culture and nightlife

• Culinary Heaven – Tex-Mex, Vietnamese pho, BBQ, and food truck scenes everywhere

• Professional sports – Astros, Rockets, Dynamo/Dash WikipediaUnbiasedWikipedia

Nearby Weekend Trips

• Galveston (~1 hr) – Beach relaxation, historic Strand

• San Antonio (~3 hrs) – River Walk, Alamo, vibrant nightlife

• The Hill Country (~3 hrs) – Fredericksburg wineries and scenic drives

• Beaumont/Port Arthur (~90 min) – Gulf access and cultural fare

Summary

Houston delivers:

• Diverse and abundant travel nurse opportunities in world-class hospitals

• Low cost of living compared to other major U.S. metro areas

• Wide range of housing options, including furnished rentals and extended-stay suites

• Big-city amenities, culture, and food, with affordable livability

Ready for a career-rich and culturally vibrant assignment? Houston awaits. 🚀🏡🩺

Disclosure: The information provided in this guide is what I use to send my travelers and is obtained through ChatGPT, utilizing prompts I frequently use as a travel nurse recruiter. The content is designed to help travelers make informed decisions about potential destinations.