How do I estimate Airbnb income for a property?

Research comparable listings on AirDNA or Mashvisor for average daily rate (ADR) and occupancy in your area. Multiply ADR × occupancy × 365 for annual gross income. Be conservative—new listings take time to build reviews.

What occupancy rate should I expect for Airbnb?

Varies by market and season. Year-round destinations: 60-75%. Seasonal markets: 40-60% annual average. Urban areas with events: 50-70%. Always research local comps.

What expenses are unique to short-term rentals?

Cleaning fees (per turnover), supplies/toiletries, dynamic pricing software, channel management, higher utilities, furnishing costs, and potentially higher insurance and property management (20-30%).

Is Airbnb more profitable than long-term rental?

Often yes—STRs can gross 2-3x long-term rent. But expenses are higher, management is intensive, and income is less predictable. Regulations also vary by city.

Free Airbnb Calculator | Short-Term Rental Profit Analysis

Purchase & Financing

Purchase Price ($)

Down Payment (%)

Interest Rate (%)

Loan Term (years)

Furnishing & Setup ($)

Furniture, decor, linens, supplies, photography

Monthly Expenses

Property Tax ($/month)

Insurance ($/month)

STR insurance costs more than standard

Utilities ($/month)

You pay all utilities for STR

HOA ($/month)

Platform Fee (%)

Airbnb host fee: ~3%

Management Fee (%)

0% if self-managing, 15-25% for PM

Cleaning Cost per Turn ($)

Your cost (often less than guest fee)

Supplies & Maintenance (%)

Compare to Long-Term Rental

Long-Term Rental Rate ($/month)

What could this rent for monthly?

Short-Term Rental Investment Guide

STR vs Long-Term Rental

Short-term rentals can generate 2-3x the income of long-term rentals, but come with:

Higher operating expenses (utilities, cleaning, supplies)
More management intensity (guest communication, turnovers)
Seasonality and occupancy risk
Regulatory risk (many cities restrict STRs)
Higher insurance costs
Furnishing and setup costs

Key STR Metrics

ADR (Average Daily Rate) - Average nightly rate across all bookings
Occupancy - % of nights booked. Typical: 50-75%
RevPAN - Revenue Per Available Night = ADR × Occupancy

STR Expense Categories

Platform fees: Airbnb 3% host fee, VRBO 5%+
Management: 15-25% if using a PM, 0% if self-managing
Cleaning: $75-200 per turnover depending on size
Utilities: You pay all (unlike LTR where tenant pays)
Supplies: Toiletries, coffee, paper goods, etc.
Insurance: STR-specific policy costs 2-3x standard
Maintenance: More wear and tear than LTR

Before You Invest

Check local regulations - many cities ban or restrict STRs
Research AirDNA or Mashvisor for market data
Check HOA rules if applicable
Talk to other STR hosts in the market
Consider starting with a long-term rental as backup plan

Airbnb / STR Calculator