Tampa, Florida assignment guide

Travel Nurse Cost of Living in Tampa, Florida

Estimate what a Tampa travel assignment may leave after housing, food, transportation and everyday living costs — and compare the numbers before you sign.

Updated October 4, 2026 · Planning estimates for one adult

Is a Tampa travel assignment worth it?

Tampa has a large healthcare market, but the financial result can change substantially with furnished-housing location, commute distance, parking and season. A strong weekly offer can look less attractive once temporary housing, parking and transportation costs are included.

TravelAssignmentWorth currently uses a Tampa modeled planning benchmark of about $1,800 per month for ordinary housing before the site's short-term/furnished adjustment, plus estimated food, transportation and other living costs. The calculator applies a transparent 20% short-term/furnished adjustment to the housing benchmark. All inputs can be changed when you have real quotes.

~$2,160/mosite housing estimate after 20% short-term/furnished adjustment
~$90/wksite food planning estimate
13 weekscommon example contract length used below
Important: These are budgeting estimates, not furnished-housing quotes and not a determination that any stipend is tax-free. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and tax home.The current market example uses $2,100 per week, reported by Vivian on October 3, 2026, based on in the prior 7 days. This is a market benchmark, not a guaranteed offer; pay varies by specialty, shift, facility and contract.

Planning itemEstimated amount
Total contract pay$27,300
Housing (~$2,160/month)~$6,480
Food (~$90/week)~$1,170
Transportation (~$600/month)~$1,680
Other living costs (~$340/month)~$1,020
Estimated remaining~$16,950
Estimated remaining per week~$1,305

Rounded planning example. It does not include taxes, expenses you maintain back home, contract setup costs or unusual personal expenses.

Calculate your Tampa assignment →

Major Tampa-area hospital systems to know

Tampa assignments can vary significantly by neighborhood and hospital campus. Before choosing housing, confirm the exact facility and model the commute rather than treating “Tampa” as one small area.

Tampa General HospitalTampa General Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Tampa and a key clinical site within the Jackson Health System.
Tampa Health AdventHealth TampaTampa Health AdventHealth Tampa provides academic medical and specialty care across Tampa-Dade, including facilities on the medical campus.
Tampa Health St. Joseph’s HospitalTampa Health St. Joseph’s Hospital operates hospitals and outpatient facilities across Tampa-Dade and South Florida.
Moffitt Cancer CenterMoffitt Cancer Center is a major pediatric hospital serving Tampa and South Florida.

Housing and commute strategy

Start with the actual hospital address and your shift times. Tampa-area assignments can involve substantial driving, and hospital parking, tolls or commute time can materially affect the budget. A lower rent farther away can be offset by fuel, parking, time and vehicle costs. Compare furnished options based on total weekly cost, not rent alone.

Texas nursing license consideration

Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. An eligible nurse who holds a multistate license from another compact state may generally practice in Texas under that privilege while maintaining a primary state of residence in another compact state. Verify your individual license status and assignment requirements with the Florida Board of Nursing before accepting or starting an assignment.

Finding furnished housing for a Tampa assignment

Housing can be one of the biggest variables in whether an assignment works for your budget. Before signing a lease or booking an extended stay, compare the total monthly cost with the housing estimate used above and replace the calculator estimate with your actual expected cost.

Total monthly price
Include rent plus required fees rather than comparing the advertised base price alone.
Utilities & internet
Confirm whether electricity, water, internet and other utilities are included.
Commute & parking
Check drive time, transit options and employee or residential parking costs.
Deposit & cancellation
Review deposits, minimum-stay rules and what happens if your assignment changes.
Budget tip: A cheaper rental farther from the facility is not always cheaper overall. Compare housing, commuting and parking together before deciding.

Read our full travel nurse housing cost guide →

Data and official resources

U.S. GSA per diem rates — federal lodging and meals/incidental reimbursement benchmarks. These are reference benchmarks, not furnished-rental quotes or tax determinations.

Nurse Licensure Compact — current compact participation and multistate license guidance.

Florida Board of Nursing — official RN single-state, endorsement and multistate licensing guidance.

Jackson Health System, Tampa Health AdventHealth Tampa, Tampa Health St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Moffitt Cancer Center — official facility information for assignment and commute planning.

Pay benchmark source: . Average checked October 4, 2026; market data changes frequently.

Federal travel benchmark: GSA’s FY2026 Tampa rate lists lodging at $140–$169 per night depending on month and meals & incidentals at $80 per day. This is a federal travel benchmark, not a travel-nurse pay rate or a furnished-rental quote.