Columbus, Ohio Short-Term Rental Market
Columbus, OH STRs posted 65.4% occupancy and $150/night ADR, with a near-perfect 97.9 total market score.
Quick Answer: Columbus, Ohio is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 65%. average monthly revenue is $2,636. average daily rate is $150. the top operator is Housepitality with 140 listings. market score is 98/100 (grade A).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Columbus, Ohio is one of the highest-rated STR markets in the country by composite score, reaching 97.9 out of 100 driven by exceptional rental demand (92.0) and revenue growth (83.4). The market recorded an average daily rate of $149.90 and 65.4% occupancy in the most recent data period, producing a RevPAR of $98.10. Year-over-year, occupancy increased 8.1% while ADR dipped 2.7%, resulting in net revenue growth of 4.9%. Ohio State University, a record-setting convention calendar, and a nationally recognized food and arts scene generate demand across all segments.
The Columbus STR market holds approximately 5,531 active listings. Entire-place units dominate at 4,756 (86.0% of inventory), with 767 private rooms and 8 shared rooms. By bedroom count, one-bedroom units lead at 1,985, followed by two-bedroom units at 1,479 and three-bedroom units at 1,194. Four- and five-bedroom properties account for 862 listings combined. Airbnb is the dominant channel with 2,971 Airbnb-only listings; 2,325 listings appear on both platforms; and 235 are VRBO-exclusive.
Columbus attracted a record 53.2 million visitor trips in 2024, generating $8.2 billion in direct visitor spending and $59.5 million in bed-tax revenue. Conventions, trade shows, and sporting events accounted for 435 events in 2024 including the MLS All-Star Game and US Figure Skating Championships. The Short North Arts District, German Village, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Ohio State University campus events sustain year-round leisure demand in addition to the strong business travel base.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50% | $110 | $1,622 |
| Feb | 58% | $116 | $1,634 |
| Mar | 57% | $130 | $2,052 |
| Apr | 59% | $126 | $2,019 |
| May | 61% | $137 | $2,183 |
| Jun | 64% | $143 | $2,455 |
| Jul | 66% | $139 | $2,529 |
| Aug | 64% | $139 | $2,498 |
| Sep | 60% | $139 | $2,185 |
| Oct | 59% | $138 | $2,293 |
| Nov | 54% | $133 | $1,964 |
| Dec | 52% | $122 | $1,840 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Columbus
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Housepitality | 140 | 2,284 | ★ 4.27 |
| 2 | The Styer Group | 102 | 1,324 | ★ 4.82 |
| 3 | Gibson & Hetherington Luxury Properties | 84 | 4,017 | ★ 4.58 |
| 4 | H2H Services | 81 | 3,679 | ★ 4.55 |
| 5 | Evolve | 65 | 1,892 | ★ 4.64 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Columbus?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,985 |
| 2 bed | 1,479 |
| 3 bed | 1,194 |
| 4 bed | 552 |
| 5 bed | 310 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $165 |
| Luxury | $281 |
| Professionally Managed | $154 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,152 |
| Entire Place | $2,882 |
| House | $2,946 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 53.7% |
| vrbo | 4.2% |
| both | 42% |
Investment Analysis
Columbus, OH offers a strong combination of high occupancy, consistent revenue growth, and moderate home prices for an STR investor. With a typical home value of $248,749 (April 2026 Zillow data) and average monthly STR revenue of $2,636, an entire-place listing projects annualized gross revenue of approximately $31,633. That implies a gross yield of roughly 12.7% on typical home value, well above most major-market benchmarks. Entire-place listings specifically average $2,882 per month, projecting approximately $34,589 annually.
ADR by tier shows a modest but meaningful spread. The market-wide average of $149.90 compares to $165.09 for entire-home listings and $153.63 for professionally managed properties. Luxury-tier listings command $281.21, nearly double the market average. Houses outperform apartments at $2,946 vs. $2,152 in average monthly revenue.
YoY trends are constructive: occupancy grew 8.1%, the 2025 annual average revenue of $2,748 exceeded 2024’s $2,669, and the revenue growth score of 83.4 out of 100 is well above average. The 104-night annual cap on non-primary-residence STRs is the key constraint for investment-property operators. At $2,636 average monthly revenue and assuming the cap limits effective utilization, investors should model actual achieved revenue against the 104-night ceiling rather than assuming unconstrained operation. Median days to pending of 10 days in the housing market signals strong resale liquidity if investment thesis changes.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Columbus STR guests book an average of 36.0 days in advance, consistent with its status as a convention and event-driven market where travel is often planned weeks ahead. A five-week booking window gives operators time to hold rates firm for event weekends and adjust for softer shoulder periods in the 1-2 week window.
Average length of stay is 4.6 nights, above the national urban market average. This reflects the mix of multi-day conference stays, university parent weekends, and leisure visits that extend beyond a single night. At 4.6 nights per stay and 65.4% occupancy, a property averages roughly 4-5 bookings per month, a favorable turnover frequency that balances cleaning overhead with revenue per stay. The non-primary 104-night annual cap means investment-property operators need to be especially strategic about when they take bookings, prioritizing high-ADR event weekends over low-demand midweek fills.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Columbus regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 598 of the city code. Every operator must obtain an annual Short-Term Rental Permit from the Department of Public Safety Building and Zoning License Section. The permit fee is $75 per year for a primary residence and $150 per year for a non-primary residence. Applications require a notarized form, an Ohio BCI fingerprint-based background check (approximately $32 per person for the applicant, host, 24/7 emergency contact, and property manager), a Letter of Good Standing from the Columbus Division of Income Tax, proof of residency or ownership, and confirmation of hosting-platform registration. The permit number must be displayed inside the unit and in every listing.
The critical constraint for non-primary (investment) properties is a 104-night annual cap on cumulative rental days per 365-day period. Primary residences have no night limit. There is no owner-occupancy requirement. A 24/7 local emergency contact with a residential address is mandatory. STRs are permitted in residential zones R-1, R-2, and R-3. Enforcement is rated moderate and the city updated its STR application materials in 2024.
On the tax side, Columbus charges a 5.1% lodging excise tax. Combined with Franklin County and Convention Facilities Authority lodging tax (approximately 4.9%) and state and county sales tax (approximately 7.5%), the total effective tax burden on a stay is roughly 17.5%. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these on the host’s behalf, but the host remains responsible for registration and remittance.
Market Comparison
Columbus, OH’s 65.4% occupancy is well above the US STR median of approximately 55%, placing it among the top-performing non-resort markets nationally. Its ADR of $149.90 is about 32% below the national median of roughly $220, which is explained by Columbus’s home-price profile ($248,749 typical home value) sitting below the national average, producing a favorable yield per dollar invested.
Among top operators, Housepitality leads with 140 listings and 2,284 reviews at a 4.27 average rating. The Styer Group manages 102 listings with the highest rating in the top five at 4.82 stars. Gibson and Hetherington Luxury Properties holds 84 listings but has accumulated 4,017 reviews at 4.58 stars, indicating a high-volume operation despite a mid-sized listing count. H2H Services operates 81 listings at 4.55 stars, and Evolve rounds out the top five with 65 listings at 4.64 stars. The top five collectively manage 472 listings, approximately 8.5% of total market inventory, indicating a relatively fragmented market with significant room for independent operators. The total market score of 97.9 out of 100 is among the strongest composite scores tracked nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus, Ohio
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