Not every state is created equal when you’re a travel nurse or allied health professional. Some states pay more, some have a lower cost of living that makes your stipend go further, and some just have more contracts than they know what to do with. We broke it all down so you can pick your next assignment with real data instead of guesswork.
At Junxion, we place travelers in 11 states right now — and we picked them for a reason. Here’s how they stack up in 2026, whether you’re a travel RN, an X-ray tech, or a cath lab tech.
How We Ranked These States
We looked at five things: average travel pay, number of open contracts, cost of living (especially housing), whether the state is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, and overall lifestyle — because where you live for 13 weeks matters. This isn’t some generic “best states” list. It’s built from what we actually see in the market.
Top States for Travel Healthcare in 2026
1. Texas
Texas is the biggest travel healthcare market in the country. No state income tax, massive hospital systems in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, and year-round demand across every specialty. If you want options, Texas delivers. The cost of living varies wildly — Austin is pricier, but cities like El Paso and Lubbock are incredibly affordable.
2. Arizona
Arizona heats up in more ways than one. Winter contracts come with premium pay as snowbirds flood the healthcare system. Phoenix and Tucson have major medical centers, and you’re surrounded by hiking, national parks, and 300 days of sunshine. Great for travelers who want a lifestyle outside the hospital.
3. North Carolina
North Carolina is the top Southeast market for travelers. Duke, UNC, and Atrium Health run massive systems. Moderate cost of living, four seasons, and mountains-to-beach in 4 hours. Charlotte and Raleigh are booming.
4. Tennessee
Tennessee brings no state income tax and Nashville’s enormous healthcare scene — HCA is headquartered here, plus Vanderbilt and a stack of other systems. Memphis and Knoxville round out the options. The food alone is worth a contract.
5. Illinois
Illinois means Chicago, and Chicago means some of the highest-paying contracts in the Midwest. Northwestern, Rush, UChicago — world-class facilities. But don’t sleep on downstate, either. Springfield and Peoria have solid contracts with significantly lower housing costs.
6. Indiana
Indiana is one of the most affordable states for travelers. Indianapolis has IU Health and a growing medical scene, and your stipend stretches far. Central location makes weekend trips easy. Great for first-time travelers who want a lower-stress entry point.
7. Michigan
Michigan has some of the lowest housing costs in travel healthcare. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids all have strong hospital systems. Summers on the Great Lakes are incredible if your contract timing works out.
8. Oklahoma
Oklahoma has rock-bottom cost of living, no state income tax, and growing healthcare systems in OKC and Tulsa. Your stipend goes incredibly far here. It’s one of those sleeper states that travelers discover and keep coming back to.
9. Kansas
Kansas has the cheapest housing costs in the country. KC metro (which straddles the border) has solid facilities, and your stipend stretches further here than almost anywhere. If you’re trying to save aggressively, Kansas is your move.
10. Wisconsin
Wisconsin is affordable, part of the NLC compact, and has strong systems like UW Health and Aurora. Milwaukee and Madison offer good contracts with a lower cost of living than Chicago. Great for Midwest travelers.
11. Iowa
Iowa rounds out our list with affordable Midwest living and strong academic medicine through the University of Iowa. Des Moines is growing, and travelers here say the staff are some of the friendliest they’ve worked with.
States by Category
Best for Pay
Texas, Illinois, and Arizona consistently offer the highest-paying contracts. Metro areas in these states compete hard for travelers, which drives rates up. Check our salary guide for current numbers.
Best for Cost of Living
Kansas, Oklahoma, and Indiana. Your tax-free stipend goes the furthest in these states. If your goal is saving money, this is where you do it.
Best for First-Time Travelers
Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Affordable, welcoming facilities, and lower-pressure environments. A great place to learn the ropes before tackling a high-volume facility in a major metro. Read our guide to getting started before your first contract.
Best for NLC Compact States
Most of our states are NLC compact: Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Iowa. If you hold a compact license, you can work in all of them without additional state licenses.
Best for Allied Health
Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina have the most allied health contracts — radiology, cath lab, surgical first assist, and more. Large health systems in these states run high-volume procedural departments that need travelers year-round.
What to Consider Beyond State Rankings
A state ranking is a starting point, not the final answer. Your specialty matters more than the state. A CVOR nurse and a ER nurse will have completely different experiences in the same city. The facility matters. The unit culture matters.
Cost of living vs. pay differential is the real math. A $2,400/week contract in Chicago might net you less than a $2,100/week contract in Wichita once you factor in rent.
Your recruiter’s relationships with facilities matter too. An agency that has a track record at a specific hospital gets you better treatment, faster extensions, and fewer surprises. That’s why picking the right agency is as important as picking the right state.
For the full picture on starting your travel career, read our 2026 travel nursing guide. It covers everything from first assignment to tax season.
Want help finding the right state for your specialty? Talk to our team. We’ll match you based on pay, lifestyle, and what actually matters to you — not just what’s available.
Which state pays travel nurses the most?
Texas, Illinois, and Arizona consistently offer the highest travel healthcare pay. Metro areas like Houston, Chicago, and Phoenix have the most competitive rates due to high demand and large hospital systems.
What is the cheapest state for travel nurses to live in?
Kansas, Oklahoma, and Indiana have the lowest cost of living among our states. Kansas in particular has some of the cheapest housing in the country, which means your tax-free stipend stretches the furthest.
Do I need a separate license for each state?
Not necessarily. If you hold a compact nursing license (NLC), you can work in 40+ participating states without getting a new license. Most of our states are compact states. For allied health, licensing varies by state and discipline. Check our compact license guide for details.
Can allied health professionals work in these states too?
Yes. All 11 states have contracts for allied health travelers including radiology techs, cath lab techs, surgical first assistants, sterile processing techs, and more. Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina tend to have the highest volume of allied health openings.
How do I pick between states for my next travel assignment?
Consider your specialty (some states have more demand for specific roles), your financial goals (high pay vs. low cost of living), whether you need a compact license, and lifestyle preferences. Talk to a recruiter who knows the market — they can match you based on what actually matters to you.
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