National pay index
Travel Nurse Pay in California
Graduated income tax up to 13.3%
FY2026 GSA lodging allowances compared with median asking rents across 32 California destinations. The surplus is what your tax-free housing stipend leaves after median rent over a 13-week contract.
| Destination | Lodging /mo | Median rent | M&IE (13 wk) | 13-week surplus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa | $6,729 | $2,829 | $8,372 | $11,700 |
| San Francisco | $8,137 | $4,364 | $8,372 | $11,319 |
| Monterey | $6,536 | $3,040 | $8,372 | $10,488 |
| San Diego | $6,435 | $2,945 | $7,826 | $10,470 |
| Santa Barbara | $6,810 | $3,569 | $8,372 | $9,723 |
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Build my resumeSurplus = GSA monthly lodging allowance − county median asking rent (Zillow ZORI), × 3 months. Not take-home pay; not tax advice. Methodology