San Diego, Gatlinburg and Scottsdale lead this 12-market Airbnb shortlist by reported median annual gross revenue, followed by Nashville, Kissimmee and other established city markets. The ranking combines real market benchmarks with property-size and seasonality comparisons so buyers can narrow their search. Address-level rental eligibility, purchase price and after-expense cash flow determine which location fits an individual investment.
Find an Airbnb Investment Location
Explore short-term rental investment opportunities with STR Search as you narrow your location and property criteria.
12 Airbnb Markets Ranked
San Diego, Gatlinburg and Scottsdale lead this shortlist on reported annual revenue. The remaining markets offer different combinations of occupancy, nightly rate, property size and seasonal demand.
- San Diego, California ($79,000 median annual revenue)
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee ($69,000 median annual revenue)
- Scottsdale, Arizona ($67,000 median annual revenue)
- Nashville, Tennessee ($62,000 median annual revenue)
- Kissimmee, Florida ($58,000 median annual revenue)
- Miami, Florida ($57,000 median annual revenue)
- Jacksonville, Florida ($57,000 median annual revenue)
- Seattle, Washington ($56,000 median annual revenue)
- Las Vegas area, Nevada ($49,000 median annual revenue)
- Austin, Texas ($46,000 median annual revenue)
- Orlando, Florida ($41,000 median annual revenue)
- San Antonio, Texas ($40,000 median annual revenue)
Airbnb Market Ranking Method
This is an editorial shortlist of 12 established U.S. markets spanning coastal, mountain and urban rental strategies. Positions follow the displayed median annual revenue, highest first; higher occupancy breaks a rounded-revenue tie. Selection requires an accessible city profile with at least 1,000 reported active listings and a common September 2025 through August 2026 performance period. The list compares these 12 markets and makes no claim to cover every U.S. destination.
The city market summaries, updated October 16, 2026, label the indicators as August 2026. Revenue is the publisher’s rounded estimated annual gross median, occupancy is its reported median, and nightly rate is its average. These are publisher-defined market areas and a mix of property types; they describe historical market performance before operating costs, financing and income tax. Purchase-price differences and legal eligibility can change the investment order for an individual buyer.
1. San Diego, California
San Diego, California market data reports $79,000 median annual revenue, 74% occupancy, a $281 average nightly rate and 9,343 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in July and is weakest in January.
Two-bedroom properties lead the published bedroom comparison at 74% occupancy. This makes a licensed two-bedroom a useful starting comp set for an investor seeking the strongest occupancy in this shortlist.
A large existing supply makes the comparable neighborhood and sleeping layout important. The city requires an STRO license, limits each host to one license, and makes licenses nontransferable. Tier 4 whole-home Mission Beach applications are closed in its October 9, 2026 notice. The San Diego STRO requirements describe the applicable conditions.
2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee market data reports $69,000 median annual revenue, 64% occupancy, a $279 average nightly rate and 2,029 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in October and is weakest in January.
One-bedroom listings lead the published size comparison at 66% occupancy. Gatlinburg fits a smaller mountain-rental search as well as a group-cabin search; bedroom-level comparables determine which property can support its acquisition cost.
The October peak and January trough call for a reserve sized around winter cash needs. Include road access, heating, maintenance travel and the precise cabin jurisdiction in the acquisition review.
3. Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona market data reports $67,000 median annual revenue, 65% occupancy, a $268 average nightly rate and 3,574 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in March and is weakest in August.
One-bedroom properties show the highest published occupancy at 67%. The combination of a $268 nightly rate and 65% market occupancy makes Scottsdale a candidate for investors comparing smaller, higher-rate properties.
March demand and an August trough require a separate summer operating case. Cooling, pool upkeep where provided, and furnishings replacement belong in the expense model for the specific home.
4. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee market data reports $62,000 median annual revenue, 61% occupancy, a $258 average nightly rate and 8,151 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in October and is weakest in January.
Six-bedroom listings lead the published bedroom comparison at 67% occupancy. That supports evaluating group-capacity properties alongside their higher acquisition, furnishing and turnover costs.
The large listing count calls for a tightly matched competitor set. A six-bedroom performance benchmark applies to a legally approved six-bedroom rental with comparable guest capacity and access; a smaller home needs its own forecast.
5. Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee, Florida market data reports $58,000 median annual revenue, 68% occupancy, a $220 average nightly rate and 1,844 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in July and is weakest in September.
Four-bedroom properties lead the published occupancy comparison at 71%. This makes Kissimmee a useful family-size rental candidate for investors comparing multiple bedrooms, laundry and a practical kitchen.
This is the Kissimmee market definition, separate from the Orlando and Lake Buena Vista markets. Model the property’s actual resort or association dues, guest access terms and September cash needs.
6. Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida market data reports $57,000 median annual revenue, 65% occupancy, a $231 average nightly rate and 8,001 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in February and March and is weakest in August.
Six-bedroom listings lead the published bedroom occupancy comparison at 67%. Miami ranks ahead of Jacksonville on the 65% occupancy tie-break after both cities report $57K rounded median revenue.
The market data reports listing supply up 63.1% year over year, alongside occupancy down 9.7% on its displayed change measure. Those figures favor a conservative share-of-demand assumption and careful building-specific rental eligibility.
7. Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida market data reports $57,000 median annual revenue, 62% occupancy, a $240 average nightly rate and 8,952 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in July and is weakest in January.
Six-bedroom properties lead the published occupancy comparison at 68%. Jacksonville provides a large-market alternative for investors comparing group-capacity rentals against Miami’s different rate and occupancy mix.
Its $240 nightly rate is higher than Miami’s $231, while reported occupancy is lower. Match the exact guest destination and neighborhood before carrying that rate into a forecast; the July peak also requires a separate winter case.
8. Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington market data reports $56,000 median annual revenue, 69% occupancy, a $216 average nightly rate and 5,081 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in July and is weakest in January.
Studios lead the published bedroom comparison at 71% occupancy. Seattle is a candidate for investors seeking a smaller-unit strategy with relatively high occupancy within this shortlist.
Seattle requires a business license tax certificate and an STR regulatory license. Most operators may run two units comprising their primary residence and one secondary unit; legacy exceptions have separate conditions. This favors an ownership plan that fits the operator limits. The Seattle short-term rental rules describe the applicable conditions.
9. Las Vegas area, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada market data reports $49,000 median annual revenue, 59% occupancy, a $215 average nightly rate and 10,910 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in October and is weakest in August.
Studios lead the published occupancy comparison at 65%. The source’s app destination identifies the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise market, so its 10,910 listings represent a broader market than one municipal licensing area.
Within the City of Las Vegas, new residential STR licenses require owner occupancy during rentals, three bedrooms or fewer, separation from other STRs and resort hotels, and an eligible zoning location. This entry fits eligible owner-occupied searches; jurisdiction-specific rules determine the options elsewhere in the area. The Las Vegas residential STR application requirements describe the applicable conditions.
10. Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas market data reports $46,000 median annual revenue, 61% occupancy, a $196 average nightly rate and 8,698 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in October and is weakest in January.
Six-bedroom properties lead the published occupancy comparison at 64%. Austin fits a group-capacity search where the purchase model can accommodate a larger home and its operating costs.
The market data reports listings up 42.5% year over year and occupancy down 1.6% on its displayed change measure. Base the forecast on ordinary weeks and matched supply, with October’s peak revenue carried as a separate seasonal component.
11. Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida market data reports $41,000 median annual revenue, 65% occupancy, a $164 average nightly rate and 1,429 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in February and July and is weakest in August.
Two-bedroom properties lead the published occupancy comparison at 70%. Orlando is the smaller-unit alternative to the four-bedroom strategy indicated by the separately defined Kissimmee data.
The lower $164 nightly rate means debt service and fixed costs need a correspondingly lower revenue requirement. Keep the Orlando comp set separate from Kissimmee resort homes and Lake Buena Vista listings.
12. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas market data reports $40,000 median annual revenue, 60% occupancy, a $172 average nightly rate and 4,582 active listings for the common reporting period. Demand peaks in July and is weakest in January.
Studios lead the published occupancy comparison at 62%. San Antonio suits investors comparing compact units with a lower gross revenue requirement than a large group house.
At $40K median annual revenue, the purchase price and recurring expenses must leave room for debt service. The market data reports listings up 42.3% year over year; a conservative launch case should allow time to earn bookings against established competitors.
Airbnb Market Data Comparison
All revenue figures below are the rounded gross medians displayed on the individual market summaries for September 2025 through August 2026. Compare the same bedroom count, operating period and legal rental use when applying these benchmarks to a property.
| Rank and market | Annual revenue | Occupancy | Nightly rate | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. San Diego, California | $79,000 | 74% | $281 | 9,343 |
| 2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee | $69,000 | 64% | $279 | 2,029 |
| 3. Scottsdale, Arizona | $67,000 | 65% | $268 | 3,574 |
| 4. Nashville, Tennessee | $62,000 | 61% | $258 | 8,151 |
| 5. Kissimmee, Florida | $58,000 | 68% | $220 | 1,844 |
| 6. Miami, Florida | $57,000 | 65% | $231 | 8,001 |
| 7. Jacksonville, Florida | $57,000 | 62% | $240 | 8,952 |
| 8. Seattle, Washington | $56,000 | 69% | $216 | 5,081 |
| 9. Las Vegas area, Nevada | $49,000 | 59% | $215 | 10,910 |
| 10. Austin, Texas | $46,000 | 61% | $196 | 8,698 |
| 11. Orlando, Florida | $41,000 | 65% | $164 | 1,429 |
| 12. San Antonio, Texas | $40,000 | 60% | $172 | 4,582 |
Best Airbnb Locations Require Legal Operation
Legal eligibility comes before revenue projections. The address must allow the planned rental use under municipal zoning, licensing, occupancy, parking, fire, building, and tax rules. A condominium declaration, homeowners association, deed restriction, lease, or insurance policy can impose a separate limit even when the city permits short-term rentals.
The compliance file should contain the ordinance section, zoning confirmation for the parcel, permit class, renewal date, local contact requirement, occupancy cap, parking standard, lodging-tax process, and any minimum-stay or owner-occupancy rule. A permit that cannot transfer with a sale has no durable value in the acquisition price. The Los Angeles home-sharing rules illustrate how primary-residence eligibility limits an acquisition strategy.
Airbnb Location Revenue Model
The following worked example uses independent illustrative assumptions. Property revenue starts with available nights, paid occupancy, and average daily rate. A 365-night property at 58% paid occupancy and a $285 average daily rate produces $60,334.50 in gross room revenue: 365 × 58% × $285. Cleaning fees collected from guests offset the corresponding cleaning expense in the operating model.
A complete operating model subtracts platform and payment fees, cleaning shortfalls, management, utilities, internet, supplies, repairs, landscaping, pest control, licenses, lodging taxes paid by the host, insurance, property tax, association dues, and replacement reserves. If those items total 38% of $60,334.50, the property retains about $37,407 before debt service and income tax.
Airbnb Location Purchase Price Test
Purchase price determines how much revenue the location must support. Assume a $425,000 purchase, 20% down, a $340,000 loan, and $29,400 in annual principal and interest. Using the $37,407 operating result above leaves $8,007 before income tax and major capital work, equal to about $667 per month.
A 15% revenue decline reduces gross revenue to about $51,284. With 38% operating costs, income before debt service falls to about $31,796 and cash flow falls to about $2,396 per year. That downside case shows whether the market can absorb a slower season without requiring routine owner contributions.
Airbnb Location Seasonality Test
Annual averages can conceal months with negative cash flow. Monthly occupancy, rate, and revenue reveal when demand starts, peaks, and ends. The reserve calculation should cover the lowest projected operating months, annual insurance and tax payments, planned replacements, and a delay in peak-season bookings.
Park gateway markets can be checked against the National Park Service visitor-use statistics, which report visits by park and period. This dataset describes regional travel activity; property-level occupancy and revenue require comparable accommodation data.
Airbnb Location Supply and Competition
A useful competitor set contains legally comparable properties in the same demand area with similar bedroom count, guest capacity, amenity package, quality, and access. Hotel rooms, studios, and six-bedroom houses answer different trips and should not share one average. Active listings, newly added supply, review counts, blocked calendars, minimum stays, and fee structures help explain how much demand a new property must capture.
The short-term rental market research file should record each comparable's weekday and weekend rate, total guest price, available dates, review velocity, sleeping layout, parking, outdoor space, and material amenities. A forecast based on the middle of a credible competitor set is easier to defend than one based on the highest advertised rate.
Airbnb Location Insurance and Hazard Costs
Flood, wind, wildfire, earthquake, winter weather, and access risks affect insurance availability, deductibles, repairs, and closed nights. The Federal Emergency Management Agency National Risk Index provides county- and census-tract-level hazard context. Property-specific underwriting still depends on the address, structure, elevation, construction, claims history, coverage, and carrier.
An insurance quote belongs in the offer-stage model. If the initial model assumes $3,600 per year and the property quote is $7,800 with a $15,000 named-storm deductible, annual cash flow falls by $4,200 before any loss. The reserve plan must also carry the deductible and expected downtime that insurance does not reimburse.
Best Airbnb Location Scorecard
A consistent scorecard keeps attractive tourism stories from replacing underwriting. Each candidate should carry the same evidence and calculation set:
- Address-level zoning, permit, occupancy, parking, tax, association, and insurance eligibility
- Independent weekday, weekend, monthly, and annual demand drivers
- Comparable paid occupancy, average daily rate, guest price, supply, and review velocity
- Purchase, closing, renovation, furnishing, and launch costs
- Operating expenses, replacement reserves, debt service, and cash needed during low months
- Base, downside, and delayed-launch cash flow
- Flood, wind, fire, weather, access, utility, and insurance exposure
- Exit value under long-term rental or resale assumptions that do not depend on short-term rental permission
Bottom line
San Diego and Gatlinburg lead this shortlist on reported median gross revenue, while Seattle and San Diego offer comparatively high occupancy and Kissimmee’s four-bedroom segment provides a different family-size strategy. Use the ranked market data to choose a focused search area, then price the actual permit path, insurance, operating costs and debt. The strongest purchase is a legally eligible property whose conservative monthly cash flow supports both its low season and replacement reserves.
