Medical Lodging in Austin, TX — Patient Housing Near Dell Seton & Austin Hospitals
Austin's medical landscape is smaller than Houston or Dallas, but the city is home to several major hospitals that draw patients from across Central Texas and beyond. Whether you're traveling for trauma care at Dell Seton Medical Center at UT, cardiac treatment at St. David's Medical Center, or pediatric specialty care at Dell Children's Medical Center, this guide covers the patient housing options available in Austin TX — from charity lodging programs to medical-rate hotels near your hospital.
Finding affordable patient housing in Austin TX requires planning, especially during peak event seasons like SXSW and ACL when hotel availability drops. Below you will find every verified medical lodging program in the Austin area, including hotels near Seton Medical Center with negotiated patient rates, the Ronald McDonald House on the Dell Children's campus, and tips on saving up to 15% through the Texas hotel occupancy tax exemption for stays of 30 or more nights.
Major Austin hospitals accepting out-of-town patients
Austin does not have an NCI-designated cancer center, so patients requiring specialized oncology treatment are often referred to MD Anderson (Houston) or UT Southwestern (Dallas). For other specialties, the following hospitals serve as the city's primary medical facilities.
Dell Seton Medical Center at UT
211-bed teaching hospital and Level I trauma center affiliated with Dell Medical School at UT Austin. Handles the most complex trauma, stroke, and surgical cases in the region.
St. David's Medical Center
Part of the St. David's HealthCare system — Austin's largest hospital network. Known for cardiac specialty programs, including open-heart surgery and interventional cardiology.
Ascension Seton Medical Center
Large general hospital providing a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services. Part of Ascension's national network. Home to Seton League House, a limited low-cost lodging program for patients.
Dell Children's Medical Center
PediatricCentral Texas's dedicated pediatric hospital and Level I pediatric trauma center. Specialties include pediatric cardiology, neurosurgery, and oncology. Connected to the Ronald McDonald House on Barbara Jordan Blvd.
Patient housing and medical lodging programs in Austin
Austin has fewer dedicated patient lodging programs than the state's larger medical hubs. Here are the verified options available to patients and families.
Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas
Pediatric only- 30 rooms at 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
- For families of pediatric patients at Dell Children's
- $10–25/night suggested donation (no one turned away)
- Phone: (512) 472-9844
Seton League House
- Low-cost lodging for patients at Ascension Seton facilities
- Limited rooms — availability varies
- Contact Seton patient services for referral and availability
Hope Lodge — not in Austin
- No Hope Lodge location in Austin
- Nearest: Hope Lodge Dallas (50 rooms) or Hope Lodge Houston (64 rooms)
- Free for adult cancer patients with social worker referral
Hotels with medical rates
- Several hotels near Dell Seton and St. David's offer medical rates
- Search Joe's House (joeshouse.org) for negotiated rates
- Ask your hospital social worker for partner hotel lists
- Stays of 30+ days qualify for TX hotel tax exemption (~15% savings)
Austin medical lodging resource guides
Free Patient Housing
Every free and low-cost lodging program in Texas
TX Hotel Tax Exemption
Save ~15% in Austin on stays of 30+ days
Financial Assistance
Grants, IRS deductions, and charity programs
Social Worker Resources
Printable reference for hospital social workers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free patient lodging in Austin?
Free lodging options in Austin are limited compared to Dallas and Houston. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas offers 30 rooms for families of pediatric patients at Dell Children's Medical Center at a suggested donation of $10–25 per night — but no family is turned away for inability to pay. For adult patients, there is no Hope Lodge in Austin; the nearest locations are Hope Lodge Dallas (50 rooms) and Hope Lodge Houston (64 rooms). Seton League House provides limited low-cost rooms for patients receiving treatment at Ascension Seton facilities.
How do I stay at Ronald McDonald House Austin?
Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas is located at 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723, near Dell Children's Medical Center. Eligibility is limited to families with a child receiving treatment at Dell Children's or another qualifying pediatric facility. A referral from your child's hospital social worker is typically required. Call (512) 472-9844 for availability and intake details. The suggested donation is $10–25 per night, but financial hardship waivers are available.
Are there hotels near Austin hospitals with medical rates?
Several hotels near the Dell Seton / Dell Children's campus and the St. David's Medical Center area offer medical rates or extended-stay discounts. Ask your hospital social worker for a list of partner hotels, or search Joe's House (joeshouse.org) for negotiated rates near Austin medical facilities. Extended-stay hotels are often the best value for treatment lasting two or more weeks.
Can I save on hotel taxes during a medical stay in Austin?
Yes. Texas law exempts guests from state and local hotel occupancy tax for stays of 30 consecutive days or longer at the same property. In Austin, the combined hotel tax rate is approximately 15% (state 6%, city 7%, venue 2%). On a $120/night room over 30 days, that exemption saves roughly $540. The exemption applies to hotels, extended-stay properties, and furnished apartments. Ask the front desk to remove the tax once you reach 30 consecutive days.
Is there a Hope Lodge or free cancer patient housing in Austin?
Austin does not currently have a Hope Lodge location. The nearest Hope Lodge facilities are in Houston (64 suites) and Dallas (50 suites), both of which are free for adult cancer patients in active outpatient treatment who live 40+ miles from the treatment facility. The American Cancer Society may be able to help with travel grants or other financial assistance for Austin-area cancer patients who need to travel for treatment — call 1-800-227-2345 to ask. For pediatric families, Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas in Austin serves families with a child receiving treatment at Dell Children's Medical Center.
Reviewed by RelocateMeTX Editorial Team
Content verified March 2026. Relocation information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, legal, or medical advice.