Finding the best Airbnb market isn’t just about picking a popular city — it’s about finding where the numbers actually work. The StaySTRA Market Score ranks the top 50 U.S. short-term rental markets using real trailing twelve-month performance data: average nightly rates, occupancy, estimated annual revenue, and market size. We weight revenue potential at 40%, occupancy stability at 30%, and market accessibility at 30% to give you a complete picture of each destination.
Click any city to explore the full market breakdown, seasonal demand calendar, local regulations, and property-level revenue projections.
Methodology & Data: The StaySTRA Market Score (1–100) combines three weighted components: revenue potential (ADR × annual revenue estimate, 40%), occupancy stability (30%), and market size/accessibility (active listing count, 30%). Scores are normalized across all tracked U.S. markets. Data reflects trailing twelve-month (LTM) averages and is refreshed monthly.
| # | Market | StaySTRA Score | Avg Nightly Rate | Occupancy | Est. Annual Revenue | Active Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anna Maria, FL | 71 | $629 | 90.3% | $11,147 | 891 |
| Anna Maria tops our 2026 rankings with a remarkable 90% occupancy rate — the highest of any market we track — combined with a $629 average nightly rate. With 891 active listings, it offers investors proven demand and one of the highest revenue-per-property figures in the country. | ||||||
| 2 | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | 64 | $490 | 58.1% | $6,700 | 6,812 |
| Santa Rosa Beach earns the #2 spot thanks to one of the largest and most active STR markets in the South, with 6,812 active rentals and a $490 nightly rate. Investors are drawn to its year-round coastal appeal and consistent $6,700 annual revenue potential. | ||||||
| 3 | Destin, FL | 63 | $348 | 66.7% | $5,488 | 6,795 |
| Destin, FL is a perennial Airbnb powerhouse, ranking third with 6,795 active listings and 67% occupancy. At $348/night, it offers a strong balance of accessible price points and high demand across both family and couples segments. | ||||||
| 4 | Orange Beach, AL | 62 | $357 | 63.3% | $5,405 | 7,165 |
| Orange Beach delivers impressive market depth — 7,165 active STRs — with a steady 63% occupancy rate. At $357/night, it’s one of the Gulf Coast’s most accessible high-volume markets for new investors. | ||||||
| 5 | Key West, FL | 60 | $478 | 73.3% | $7,590 | 2,824 |
| Key West remains one of the most iconic STR destinations in the U.S., earning its #5 ranking with 73% occupancy and a $478 nightly rate. Its 2,824 active listings and limited land supply create strong pricing power for existing operators. | ||||||
| 6 | Nantucket, MA | 59 | $912 | 58.3% | $9,032 | 1,072 |
| Nantucket commands the highest ADR in our top 10 at $912/night, driven by its exclusive island appeal and affluent visitor base. With 58% occupancy across a 1,072-listing market, it’s a premium market for serious investors. | ||||||
| 7 | Isle Of Palms, SC | 59 | $536 | 71.0% | $8,475 | 1,698 |
| Isle of Palms, SC combines a $536 nightly rate with 71% occupancy — a combination that signals strong, balanced demand. Its 1,698 active rentals make it one of the Southeast’s most competitive coastal STR markets. | ||||||
| 8 | Bradenton Beach, FL | 59 | $361 | 87.5% | $5,906 | 2,555 |
| Bradenton Beach ranks eighth with an exceptional 88% occupancy rate — the second highest in our top 10 — reflecting near-constant demand. At $361/night across 2,555 active listings, it offers strong fundamentals for value-focused investors. | ||||||
| 9 | Rosemary Beach, FL | 58 | $545 | 58.6% | $7,856 | 3,231 |
| Rosemary Beach is 30A’s most premium micro-market, averaging $545/night across 3,231 active rentals. Its curated, walkable community design drives repeat bookings and above-average revenue performance relative to nearby markets. | ||||||
| 10 | Palm Springs, CA | 57 | $463 | 60.0% | $5,280 | 5,201 |
| Palm Springs rounds out the top 10 with 5,201 active listings and a $463 nightly rate. Its desert-chic aesthetic, heated pool culture, and year-round event calendar create reliable 60% occupancy across all seasons. | ||||||
| 11 | Yosemite Nat’l Park, CA | 56 | $481 | 72.7% | $9,019 | 429 |
| 12 | Corolla, NC | 56 | $442 | 76.0% | $6,426 | 2,107 |
| 13 | Captiva, FL | 55 | $630 | 67.7% | $8,348 | 536 |
| 14 | La Jolla, CA | 55 | $504 | 72.2% | $7,598 | 1,120 |
| 15 | Marathon, FL | 54 | $435 | 73.3% | $6,295 | 1,776 |
| 16 | Gulf Breeze, FL | 54 | $374 | 72.4% | $6,106 | 2,343 |
| 17 | Breckenridge, CO | 54 | $393 | 62.5% | $5,346 | 4,250 |
| 18 | Water Mill, NY | 53 | $1320 | 34.5% | $9,274 | 149 |
| 19 | Arch Cape, OR | 53 | $423 | 79.2% | $7,245 | 101 |
| 20 | Charleston, SC | 53 | $311 | 74.2% | $5,485 | 2,690 |
| 21 | Santa Barbara, CA | 52 | $420 | 70.0% | $6,250 | 1,897 |
| 22 | Anaheim, CA | 52 | $351 | 76.7% | $6,140 | 1,423 |
| 23 | Sanibel, FL | 52 | $377 | 78.6% | $5,646 | 1,371 |
| 24 | Nags Head, NC | 52 | $361 | 76.7% | $5,501 | 1,800 |
| 25 | The Sea Ranch, CA | 51 | $455 | 70.4% | $7,464 | 291 |
| 26 | North Chatham, MA | 51 | $693 | 63.2% | $7,442 | 71 |
| 27 | Pensacola, FL | 51 | $329 | 76.9% | $5,624 | 1,301 |
| 28 | Rodanthe, NC | 51 | $319 | 86.7% | $5,441 | 323 |
| 29 | Southampton, NY | 50 | $986 | 40.0% | $8,157 | 779 |
| 30 | Manhattan Beach, CA | 50 | $472 | 70.4% | $6,786 | 370 |
| 31 | Narragansett, RI | 50 | $454 | 73.3% | $5,456 | 1,029 |
| 32 | Oceanside, CA | 50 | $324 | 73.3% | $5,352 | 1,936 |
| 33 | Bodega Bay, CA | 49 | $534 | 58.1% | $7,772 | 319 |
| 34 | East Hampton, NY | 49 | $889 | 43.3% | $6,900 | 1,370 |
| 35 | Johns Island, SC | 49 | $423 | 64.5% | $6,005 | 1,733 |
| 36 | Key Colony Beach, FL | 49 | $323 | 80.0% | $5,474 | 547 |
| 37 | Navarre, FL | 49 | $332 | 71.0% | $5,259 | 1,848 |
| 38 | Glen Ellen, CA | 48 | $720 | 53.3% | $7,214 | 161 |
| 39 | Manchester, CA | 48 | $383 | 70.4% | $6,989 | 55 |
| 40 | Pacifica, CA | 48 | $349 | 73.3% | $6,159 | 231 |
| 41 | Carlsbad, CA | 48 | $372 | 71.0% | $5,410 | 1,125 |
| 42 | Eastpoint, FL | 47 | $425 | 64.5% | $5,900 | 901 |
| 43 | Beach Haven, NJ | 47 | $524 | 58.0% | $5,750 | 1,306 |
| 44 | Haiku, HI | 47 | $323 | 75.9% | $5,488 | 198 |
| 45 | Tybee Island, GA | 47 | $362 | 63.3% | $5,486 | 1,876 |
| 46 | Port Saint Joe, FL | 47 | $392 | 60.0% | $5,334 | 2,171 |
| 47 | Thousand Palms, CA | 46 | $703 | 44.0% | $8,471 | 50 |
| 48 | Stinson Beach, CA | 46 | $548 | 58.1% | $6,848 | 146 |
| 49 | Sag Harbor, NY | 46 | $841 | 44.8% | $6,804 | 512 |
| 50 | Montauk, NY | 46 | $743 | 46.7% | $6,782 | 806 |
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