Travel nurse housing in Surrey, BC: a local guide

Travel nurse housing in Surrey is usually a furnished home rented by the month, and on Travel Nurse Houses (TNH) the median monthly rate was CA$2,550 across 20 live homes as of October 27, 2026. Most travelers here work at Surrey Memorial Hospital or the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, so the best place to start is with where your shifts are, then choose a home that keeps the trip short.

This guide covers the hospitals, what furnished housing costs compared with regular rentals, how to pick an area, getting around, the B.C. rules worth knowing, and how to book.

Key takeaways

• As of October 27, 2026, TNH had 20 live homes in Surrey with a median monthly rate of CA$2,550.
• Surrey Memorial Hospital is the largest of Fraser Health's three regional hospitals, with 624 acute care beds and 36 NICU bassinettes, according to Fraser Health.
• Choosing a home close to your hospital matters more than choosing a particular neighbourhood, because Surrey is large and spread out.
• In B.C., rentals of under 90 days in larger municipalities are limited to the host's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit.
• Nurses registered in another province need B.C. registration through the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) before working in Surrey.
• On TNH you can search by your assigned hospital, see each home's distance to it and message hosts directly.

Which hospitals will you work at in Surrey?

Surrey has two main hospital sites for travelers right now: Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre. Your contract will name the site, and that address should anchor your housing search.

Surrey Memorial Hospital is at 13750 96 Avenue. Fraser Health describes it as the largest of the three regional hospitals in its network and the second largest hospital in the province, with the province's busiest emergency department. Fraser Health lists 624 acute care beds and 36 neonatal intensive care bassinettes. Its emergency department is a Level III trauma centre, and the hospital is affiliated with the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

Expect a busy environment. Fraser Health's most recent published figures, from 2016/17, show 157,711 emergency visits and 4,461 births in a year. In 2024, the hospital's emergency physicians publicly raised concerns about staffing shortages and overcrowding, and a provincial update that year noted the hospital had recruited 75 internationally educated nurses.

The Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre focuses on outpatient care and surgery. If your assignment is there, search from that site specifically rather than assuming a home near Surrey Memorial will suit.

Looking further ahead, a second Surrey hospital and cancer centre is being built in Cloverdale at 5500 180 Street. It is targeted to open in 2030, with 168 inpatient beds, five operating rooms and a 55-space emergency department.

What does travel nurse housing in Surrey cost?

On TNH, the median monthly rate for a furnished home in Surrey was CA$2,550 as of October 27, 2026, based on 20 live homes. Half of those homes were listed below that figure and half above.

That is higher than typical unfurnished rents, which makes sense: a furnished monthly home comes ready to live in and does not tie you to a long lease. Here is how the numbers compare.

Type of rental	Figure	Source and date
Furnished monthly home on TNH	CA$2,550 median per month	TNH, October 27, 2026
Average one-bedroom (unfurnished, long-term)	CA$1,602 per month	CMHC survey, October 2025
Average two-bedroom (unfurnished, long-term)	CA$1,872 per month	CMHC survey, October 2025
Asking rent, one-bedroom	CA$1,807 per month	Rentals.ca, September 2026

When you compare homes, look at the full monthly cost, not just the rate. Ask each host:

• Whether utilities, internet and parking are included
• What deposit is needed and when it is returned
• Whether the rate changes for a shorter or longer stay
• What happens if your contract is extended or ends early

Which area of Surrey should you live in for your hospital?

Surrey is one of the largest cities in B.C. by area, so the most useful rule is simple: live close to your hospital. A home that looks well priced on the other side of the city can cost you a long drive after a 12-hour shift.

Surrey Memorial sits in the north of the city, near the City Centre area. Here is a general picture of the main parts of Surrey:

• City Centre and Whalley: the most urban part of Surrey, with apartment towers and SkyTrain access. A natural fit if you work at Surrey Memorial and want to avoid driving.
• Guildford: northeast of City Centre, residential with a large shopping centre. Vacancy here was among the tightest in the city at 2.5% in the October 2025 CMHC survey, so options can be limited.
• Fleetwood: east along Fraser Highway, mostly residential and quieter. Future SkyTrain stations are planned here.
• Newton: south-central Surrey, busy and well served by buses, with a range of housing types.
• Cloverdale: in the southeast, with a small historic town centre. Further from Surrey Memorial today, but close to the new hospital site.
• South Surrey: quieter and more suburban, with the highest vacancy in the 2025 survey at 5.7%, but a longer commute to the north end of the city.

Citywide, vacancy was 4.3% in that survey. Rather than picking a neighbourhood first, search by your hospital and let the distance shown on each home guide you.

How do you get around Surrey for your shifts?

Most travelers in Surrey find a car makes life easier, especially for night shifts and if you live outside City Centre. If you are driving, confirm with your host that the home has parking, and ask the hospital or your agency about staff parking.

Without a car, your best option is to live near SkyTrain or a frequent bus route. The Expo Line already runs into Surrey City Centre, close to Surrey Memorial, and buses connect the rest of the city. Check how long the walk or bus ride is at the times your shifts start and end, not just at midday.

Transit is set to improve. The Surrey–Langley SkyTrain extension is expected to open in late 2029, with eight stations and three transit exchanges along Fraser Highway, including Green Timbers (140 Street), 152 Street, Fleetwood (160 Street), Bakerview–166 Street and Hillcrest–184 Street. That will not help an assignment before then, but it explains why there is construction along that corridor.

A few practical checks for shift workers:

• Is the bedroom quiet and dark enough to sleep during the day?
• Is the route home well lit if you finish late?
• Can you get groceries and essentials nearby without a long trip?

What B.C. rental rules should travelers know?

B.C.'s short-term rental law affects which homes can be rented for stays of under 90 days. In municipalities with more than 10,000 people, which includes Surrey, those rentals are limited to the host's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit.

For you, this means many shorter stays in Surrey will be in a suite or separate unit on a property where the host lives. That is normal and often works well. Hosts may also need a city business licence and provincial registration, and you can check Surrey's current requirements on the City of Surrey website.

If your stay is 90 days or longer, different rules can apply. Ask your host what kind of agreement you will sign before you pay anything, and keep a copy of it.

Do you need a B.C. nursing licence before your Surrey assignment?

Yes. If you are registered in another province, you need B.C. registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) before you work in Surrey. The application includes identification that must be notarized in person, so build that step into your timeline.

Start early, and confirm current steps and timelines directly with BCCNM. Your agency can usually tell you what they need from you and when.

Once your registration is in hand, you can also earn a verified nurse badge on TNH. TNH staff check your licence, which gives hosts extra confidence when you message them.

How to book travel nurse housing in Surrey on TNH

TNH is a Canadian platform for furnished, monthly housing for travel nurses and healthcare professionals. It covers 900+ hospitals across Canada and lists 1,100+ furnished homes. Here is how to book in Surrey:

1. Search by your hospital. Use search homes near your hospital, or go straight to homes near Surrey Memorial Hospital or homes near Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre.
2. Compare distance and total cost. Each home shows its distance to nearby hospitals. Weigh that against the monthly rate and what is included.
3. Message hosts directly. Ask about dates, parking, utilities, quiet hours for day sleeping and the rental agreement.
4. Get your verified nurse badge. It shows hosts your licence has been checked by TNH staff.
5. Confirm in writing. Agree on dates, rate, deposit and terms before you send money.

If your staffing agency handles housing, they can post a housing request with your hospital, dates and budget on the agency page. TNH alerts hosts near that hospital, and replies arrive in the agency's messages. You can also browse all furnished homes in Surrey.

A good Surrey assignment starts with a home close to your hospital and a monthly cost you understand in full. When you have your contract details, search homes near your hospital and message a few hosts to compare options. If you have questions along the way, the help centre is there for you.

Frequently asked questions

How much does travel nurse housing in Surrey cost?

As of October 27, 2026, the median monthly rate for a furnished home on TNH in Surrey was CA$2,550, across 20 live homes. That is higher than average unfurnished rents, but it covers a ready-to-live-in home without a long lease. Always ask what utilities, internet and parking are included.

Which hospitals are in Surrey, BC?

The main sites for travelers are Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre. Surrey Memorial, at 13750 96 Avenue, is the largest of Fraser Health's three regional hospitals. A second Surrey hospital is being built in Cloverdale and is targeted to open in 2030.

Can I get to Surrey Memorial Hospital without a car?

Yes, if you choose your home carefully. The Expo Line SkyTrain runs into Surrey City Centre, close to the hospital, and buses cover much of the city. Check the walk or bus time at your actual shift hours before you book.

Do I need B.C. registration to work as a travel nurse in Surrey?

Yes. Nurses registered in another province need registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives before working in B.C. The application includes ID notarized in person, so start early and confirm current steps with BCCNM.

Why are many Surrey rentals suites in the host's home?

B.C. law limits rentals of under 90 days in larger municipalities to the host's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit. So for shorter stays, you will often rent a suite or unit on a property where the host lives. Ask your host which agreement applies to your stay.

Can my staffing agency find housing in Surrey for me?

Yes. Agencies can post a housing request on TNH with your hospital, dates and budget. TNH alerts hosts near that hospital, and replies come to the agency's messages.