Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental Calculator
Airbnb (short-term rental) typically grosses 2-3x long-term rent — but expenses are far higher: cleaning, management, occupancy taxes, utilities, furnishings. Net income comparison reveals which strategy actually wins.
Why STR Gross Misleads
Airbnb listings show gross nightly rate but exclude cleaning fees, platform fees (3% host + 14% guest), state/city occupancy taxes (5-15%), property management (20-30%), utilities, furnishings depreciation, and higher insurance. After all costs, net income is typically only 30-60% of gross.
Occupancy Reality Check
AirDNA 2025 data: median urban STR occupancy is 55-65%. Tourist destinations (Outer Banks, Gatlinburg, Joshua Tree) hit 70-85%. Suburban/rural markets often 40-50%. Use realistic 65% as base case — many investors plug 80%+ in spreadsheets and miss budget.
Regulatory Risk For STR
Many cities now restrict or ban STR: New York requires 30+ day stays, San Francisco mandates host primary residence, Honolulu bans non-resort STR. 73 of top 100 U.S. cities have STR regulations (AirDNA 2025). Check zoning + HOA + permit requirements before purchasing for STR.
Source: AirDNA Market Reports 2025, BiggerPockets STR Calculator Methodology. Last updated: May 2026.