Short-Term Rental Airbnb ROI Calculator
Short-term rentals can outperform long-term rentals by 30-200% gross — but expenses (cleaning, platform fees, utilities, supplies, management) eat 35-50% of revenue. This tool computes net ROI accounting for STR-specific cost stack.
STR vs Long-Term Rental Math
STR can gross 2-3x long-term rent ($30K LTR → $75K STR). But expenses run 35-50% of gross vs 25-35% for LTR. Net advantage typically 30-80% better cash flow IF occupancy holds. Below 50% occupancy, LTR often wins because expense base shrinks.
Hidden STR Costs Most Owners Miss
(1) Platform fees (Airbnb 3-15%, VRBO 5-8%). (2) Supplies (toilet paper, coffee, soap — $10-20/booking). (3) Wear-and-tear depreciation (faster than LTR due to high turnover). (4) Damage / insurance gaps. (5) Permit + occupancy tax. (6) Slow-season utility costs even with no guests. Pro forma should subtract 40-50% of gross before declaring profitable.
Regulatory Risk Is the Killer
Major US markets restricting STR: NYC (60-day max), LA (primary residence only), SF (60-day cap), Honolulu (90-day min stays for most). Before buying, verify (1) zoning allows STR, (2) HOA/condo bylaws permit it, (3) city permit available + cost, (4) occupancy + lodging tax rate. Many investors lost 50%+ value when cities banned non-owner-occupied STR.
Source: AirDNA 2025 US Market Report, Vacasa 2025 STR Benchmarks. Last updated: May 2026.