Travel Nurse Housing Stipend Calculator
Calculate your net housing profit and total contract tax-free income.
How to Use the Travel Nurse Housing Stipend Calculator
For travel nurses, the housing stipend is often the most significant part of the compensation package because it is typically paid tax-free. This calculator helps you determine how much of that stipend you will actually keep after paying for your short-term housing and utilities.
Understanding the Math
The calculation is based on your agency's offered weekly rate multiplied by the length of your assignment. We then subtract your anticipated monthly expenses, adjusted for the specific number of weeks you are working.
- Weekly Stipend: This is the tax-free amount offered per week by your staffing agency.
- Contract Length: Standard assignments are 13 weeks, but many vary from 8 to 26 weeks.
- Housing Costs: Since most rentals are paid monthly, we calculate your total cost by finding the daily cost of your rent and multiplying it by the total days in the contract.
Tax-Free Stipends and "Tax Homes"
To legally receive a tax-free housing stipend, the IRS requires travel nurses to maintain a "tax home." This means you must prove you are incurring "duplicate expenses"—paying for housing at your permanent residence while also paying for housing at your assignment location. If you do not maintain a tax home, your entire stipend may be considered taxable income.
Example Calculation
If you receive a $1,500 weekly stipend for a 13-week contract, your total stipend is $19,500. If you find a furnished apartment for $2,800 per month (including utilities), your total housing cost for those 13 weeks (roughly 3 months) would be approximately $8,400. This leaves you with a tax-free surplus of $11,100 for the duration of the contract.
Tips for Maximizing Your Stipend
- Look for Extended Stays: Hotels with weekly rates often include all utilities and WiFi, simplifying your budget.
- Negotiate the Stipend: If the GSA max for the area is $2,500/week but your agency is offering $1,200, you may have room to negotiate for a higher percentage of the max rate.
- Consider Roommates: Sharing a 2-bedroom unit with another traveler can drastically reduce your monthly rent expense, increasing your take-home pay.