Columbia, Tennessee Short-Term Rental Market
Columbia, TN STRs averaged $165/night at 49.6% occupancy in April 2026, with revenue up 2.3% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Columbia, Tennessee is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 56%. average monthly revenue is $3,325. average daily rate is $218. the top operator is Evolve with 408 listings. market score is 73/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Tennessee Area regional market, which includes Columbia. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Columbia.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Columbia is the seat of Maury County, Tennessee, approximately 45 miles south of Nashville. The market draws heritage travelers, Nashville day-trippers, festival attendees (including 100,000+ at the annual Mule Day festival), and a growing sports tourism segment centered on the Ridley Sports Complex. Maury County tourism generated more than $137 million in visitor spending in 2024. The STR market is much larger than the city’s 48,885 residents would indicate, reflecting the market’s regional draw: approximately 12,510 active listings by the latest dimension count.
In April 2026, the market averaged $165/night in ADR and 49.6% occupancy, producing a RevPAR of $81.57. Year-over-year, occupancy gained 0.9 percentage points, ADR rose 0.6%, and average revenue grew 2.3% against April 2025. Longer-term, annual average ADR has grown from $160 in 2017 to $175 in 2025, and annual average revenue per listing rose from $1,693 to $2,466 over the same period, though both metrics have softened somewhat in 2025-2026 compared to the 2021 peak.
Entire-place listings heavily dominate at 11,881 of 12,510 listings (94.9%), with 612 private rooms and 17 shared rooms. On the bedroom side, 1-bedroom units are the most common (4,078), followed by 2-bedroom (3,352) and 3-bedroom (3,027). Larger 4-bedroom (1,217) and 5-bedroom (807) units round out the mix. Airbnb leads at 5,688 listings, with 5,652 cross-listed on both platforms and 1,170 on VRBO only.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35% | $132 | $1,477 |
| Feb | 45% | $130 | $1,462 |
| Mar | 53% | $147 | $2,014 |
| Apr | 49% | $152 | $2,015 |
| May | 52% | $169 | $2,243 |
| Jun | 59% | $203 | $3,156 |
| Jul | 61% | $204 | $3,446 |
| Aug | 51% | $189 | $2,654 |
| Sep | 46% | $171 | $2,178 |
| Oct | 53% | $164 | $2,461 |
| Nov | 47% | $159 | $2,040 |
| Dec | 45% | $157 | $2,042 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Columbia
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 408 | 14,027 | ★ 4.73 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 106 | 2,376 | ★ 4.59 |
| 3 | Byers & Harvey | 74 | 2,303 | ★ 4.85 |
| 4 | RedAwning | 64 | 848 | ★ 4.62 |
| 5 | RETREAT VACATIONS | 62 | 3,050 | ★ 4.82 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Columbia?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 4,078 |
| 2 bed | 3,352 |
| 3 bed | 3,027 |
| 4 bed | 1,217 |
| 5 bed | 807 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $222 |
| Luxury | $371 |
| Professionally Managed | $285 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,057 |
| Entire Place | $3,411 |
| House | $3,732 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 45.5% |
| vrbo | 9.4% |
| both | 45.2% |
Investment Analysis
Columbia, TN presents a growth market with moderately high home values relative to STR revenue. The typical home value is $374,557 (Zillow, April 2026 snapshot), with a median sale price of $354,167 and median list price of $413,983. The market has 423 homes for sale, a sale-to-list ratio of 0.856, and a median 47 days to pending, reflecting a market where negotiation and time on market have increased since the post-pandemic peak.
At April 2026 average monthly revenue of $2,239/month, annualized revenue projects to approximately $26,871/year. Against a $374,557 typical home value, the implied gross revenue yield is roughly 7.2% before expenses, which is moderate relative to STR benchmarks. House listings outperform: $2,408/month ($28,894 annualized) versus $1,806/month for apartments ($21,666 annualized).
Tier differences show meaningful returns for premium positioning. All-listings ADR is $165/night while entire-home listings are only slightly higher at $168/night. Professionally managed properties average $203/night, a 23% premium over the market average. Luxury-tier listings reach $279/night, a 69% premium, suggesting that upscale properties compete on a different revenue curve.
The market scores 73.1 out of 100 overall. Investability leads at 92.8, but rental demand (67.9), seasonality (71.3), and revenue growth (57.9) are all more modest, consistent with a market that saw strong post-COVID gains now moderating.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
The April 2026 data shows an average booking lead time of 42.2 days, approximately six weeks in advance. This mid-range lead time is consistent with a market that attracts both planned leisure visits (Nashville day-trippers planning weekend getaways) and more spontaneous bookings for festivals and sporting events.
Average length of stay is 3.96 nights, essentially a four-night stay on average. This is consistent with extended weekend trips from Nashville and surrounding markets, and reduces per-booking overhead costs compared to markets with predominantly 1-2 night stays.
For pricing strategy, the 42-day lead window means dynamic pricing should be actively managed 5-6 weeks out. Mule Day (late March to early April) and summer weekends (June-July) represent premium rate opportunities where early booking demand should be captured at higher prices. The weak January-February period warrants significant discount pricing to maintain occupancy above the 34-45% seasonal floor.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Columbia, TN permits short-term rentals but restricts them by zoning district. Under the city’s Zoning Ordinance (updated in 2024), STRs are permitted only in CD-4, CD-4C, and CD-5 form-based districts. They are not allowed in many residential zones. Before listing or purchasing for STR use, operators must verify the property’s zoning via the city’s online map or by contacting Planning and Zoning (931-560-1560).
The permit process requires three steps: (1) a short-term rental zoning permit through Planning and Zoning, (2) an annual City of Columbia business license, and (3) an annual lodging permit registration. All three must be obtained before operating. Permit fees were not published in available sources and should be confirmed with the city’s Finance and Planning departments (931-560-1500).
No owner-occupancy requirement, primary-residence rule, or annual night cap was found in the city’s published materials.
On taxes: Tennessee platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO typically remit state occupancy taxes on behalf of hosts. Operators renting independently must file monthly occupancy tax reports and remit payments directly to the city. The specific local occupancy tax rate was not confirmed in available sources. Note: Tennessee enacted a 2025 law capping cumulative local occupancy tax at 8% in incorporated areas. Confirm current rates with the city’s Finance Department before operating. Enforcement is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
Columbia’s 49.6% occupancy in April 2026 is below the approximate US STR median of 55%, which is partly explained by April sitting in the spring shoulder period and the wide seasonal swing typical of this market. The $165/night ADR is below the national median of approximately $220, consistent with a regional Tennessee market outside the highest-demand corridors.
The market’s total score of 73.1 reflects adequate but not standout fundamentals: investability is the clear strength at 92.8, while revenue growth (57.9) signals that the sharp post-2020 revenue gains have moderated. The Nashville proximity that drives demand also means travelers have many alternatives, keeping pricing competitive.
Evolve dominates professional management with 408 listings and a 4.73 average rating across 14,027 reviews. Vacasa operates 106 listings at 4.59, and Byers and Harvey manages 74 listings with the highest rating among the top five at 4.85 across 2,303 reviews. RETREAT VACATIONS (62 listings, 4.82 rating) and RedAwning (64 listings, 4.62) complete the top five. Together the top three operators control 588 listings, approximately 4.7% of total active listings in the market. The top five manage 714 listings combined.
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia, Tennessee
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