Travel Nursing vs Home Care: Which Path Pays More in 2026?
Travel nursing contracts have cooled since the pandemic peak. How does home care compare for RNs and LPNs looking for stable, well-paying positions in the NYC metro area?
The travel nursing boom of 2021-2023 brought unprecedented pay rates — $4,000-$5,000/week was common. By 2026, the market has normalized significantly. Weekly rates for travel nurses in the northeast have dropped 40-55% from pandemic peaks.
Current Travel Nursing Rates (NYC Metro, Q1 2026)
- RN travel contracts: $1,800-$2,600/week (down from $4,500+ in 2022) - LPN travel contracts: $1,200-$1,800/week - Net after housing, transportation, licensing fees: often under $1,400/week
Home Care Clinical Rates (NYC Metro, Q1 2026)
- RN home care: $55-$75/hr ($2,200-$3,000/week at 40 hrs) - LPN home care: $38-$52/hr ($1,520-$2,080/week) - Psychiatric NP home care: $130-$160/hr (per diem)
The Stability Factor
Travel nursing means 8-13 week contracts with gaps between assignments, credentialing delays, and relocation costs. Home care positions with established agencies offer year-round employment, local commutes, and predictable income.
Government-Contracted Positions
Nurses working under DHS, OMH, or Medicaid waiver contracts often have additional protections: union-scale pay, W-2 employment with benefits, and ADP payroll processing. Priority Groups holds active contracts with NYC DHS and NYS OMH facilities.
Bottom Line
For nurses who live in the NYC metro area and do not want to relocate every quarter, home care and government-contracted clinical positions now offer comparable or better net compensation to travel nursing — with far less disruption.