Gatlinburg, Tennessee Short-Term Rental Market
Gatlinburg STRs averaged $319/night at 54.2% occupancy in April 2026, with over 23,000 active listings across one of the most visited tourist corridors in the United States.
Quick Answer: Gatlinburg, Tennessee is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 54%. average monthly revenue is $4,911. average daily rate is $319. the top operator is Vacasa with 556 listings. market score is 81/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Gatlinburg is one of the largest short-term rental markets in the United States by active listing count, with approximately 23,050 active listings as of the most recent snapshot. The market sits at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which drew 12.2 million recreational visitors in 2024 to a city with a permanent population of only 3,663 residents. That visitor-to-resident ratio is among the highest of any STR market in the country.
In April 2026, the average daily rate across all listing types was $319, and average occupancy ran at 54.2%. RevPAR for the month was $173. Year-over-year, occupancy slipped 1.5 percentage points, ADR declined 0.4%, and average monthly revenue fell 2.5% compared to April 2025, reflecting modest softening after the peak post-pandemic years of 2021 and 2022.
The listing mix is overwhelmingly entire-place units: 22,950 of 23,050 active listings, or about 99.6%, are entire-place rentals. Private rooms account for 94 listings and shared rooms for 6. By bedroom count, 2-bedroom properties are the most common (7,088), followed by 3-bedroom (5,018), 1-bedroom (4,841), 5-bedroom (3,078), and 4-bedroom (3,011).
Channel distribution spans roughly 17,182 listings on both Airbnb and VRBO, 3,537 on Airbnb only, and 2,331 on VRBO only. Operators running on both platforms represent the large majority of inventory.
The market’s overall score sits at 80.9 out of 100, with investability scoring 97.7 and rental demand at 91.6. Revenue growth scored 48.1, consistent with the modest year-over-year softening seen in the monthly metrics.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $277 | $3,006 |
| Feb | 41% | $276 | $2,955 |
| Mar | 61% | $286 | $4,876 |
| Apr | 54% | $282 | $4,315 |
| May | 54% | $278 | $4,055 |
| Jun | 74% | $328 | $6,526 |
| Jul | 75% | $319 | $6,582 |
| Aug | 60% | $288 | $4,978 |
| Sep | 57% | $272 | $4,263 |
| Oct | 71% | $300 | $6,064 |
| Nov | 61% | $307 | $5,169 |
| Dec | 60% | $328 | $5,615 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Gatlinburg
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 556 | 42,813 | ★ 4.43 |
| 2 | Cabins for You | 461 | 14,860 | ★ 4.33 |
| 3 | Avada | 424 | 33,056 | ★ 4.72 |
| 4 | American Patriot Getaways | 423 | 2,515 | ★ 4.50 |
| 5 | Evolve | 371 | 34,055 | ★ 4.56 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Gatlinburg?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 4,841 |
| 2 bed | 7,088 |
| 3 bed | 5,018 |
| 4 bed | 3,011 |
| 5 bed | 3,078 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $320 |
| Luxury | $487 |
| Professionally Managed | $342 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,610 |
| Entire Place | $4,916 |
| House | $5,297 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 15.3% |
| vrbo | 10.1% |
| both | 74.5% |
Investment Analysis
The typical Gatlinburg home value stands at $409,572 based on the April 2026 Zillow snapshot, while the median list price for active inventory sits considerably higher at $605,666. Buyers entering the STR market today should plan around listing prices meaningfully above the typical value index, with 458 properties for sale and a median of 45 days to pending, indicating a market where inventory moves at a measured pace.
At the April 2026 average monthly revenue of $4,911, an investor running a property year-round at that average would generate approximately $58,930 in gross annual revenue before platform fees, taxes, and operating costs. Against a $409,572 acquisition price (using the typical home value), that implies a gross yield of roughly 14.4%. Against the median list price of $605,666, the gross yield calculates to approximately 9.7%. Investors should use the list price figure as a more conservative planning assumption.
Tier differences in ADR are meaningful. Entire-home listings averaged $320/night in April versus $487/night for luxury-tier properties and $342/night for professionally managed listings. The professionally managed premium of roughly $23/night over the all-listings average points to the value of full-service management, though it also reflects the higher-quality inventory those operators typically carry.
The platform investability score of 97.7 reflects strong underlying demand fundamentals. Revenue growth scored 48.1, signaling that growth from the 2021 to 2022 peak has plateaued. Investors entering now should underwrite for stable rather than appreciating revenue. The 2025 annual average revenue of $5,615/month and 2024 average of $5,729/month suggest the market is settling at a sustainable level after the outsized pandemic-era gains.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
In April 2026, the average booking lead time for Gatlinburg STRs was 49 days, meaning most guests commit to their stay roughly seven weeks in advance. Average length of stay was 3.4 nights.
The 49-day lead time creates a pricing opportunity. Operators who set rates in the 30-to-60-day window before arrival are working within the active booking window, where demand is real and price sensitivity is higher. Holding firm on rates beyond 60 days out is generally low-risk given the market’s baseline demand level; discounting too early in the booking window gives up revenue without accelerating bookings that would have come at full price.
A 3.4-night average stay is slightly longer than the national STR average, reflecting the trip patterns typical of Smokies visitors who combine park access, downtown attractions, and cabin relaxation into multi-day itineraries. Longer stays reduce turnover frequency and cleaning costs per booking. Operators with minimum-stay requirements in the 3-to-4-night range are aligned with the market’s natural booking behavior, particularly during peak and shoulder months.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Gatlinburg is an STR-permitted market with a clear, long-standing regulatory framework. Any stay of fewer than 30 consecutive nights within city limits requires a Tourist Residency Permit issued by the City of Gatlinburg. The initial permit fee is $200 for a unit with two bedrooms or fewer, plus $75 per additional bedroom above two. Annual renewal costs the same amount.
All permits require passing a fire and safety inspection before issuance and annually thereafter. Inspections cover smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, escape routes, and electrical safety. Properties exceeding three stories, 5,000 square feet, or 12 occupants must have an approved sprinkler system.
Operators must also hold a City of Gatlinburg Business License ($15), a Sevier County Business License ($15), and register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for applicable taxes.
STRs are prohibited in R-1A and R-2A residential zones. They are permitted in R-1, R-2, R-3, and commercial zones (C-1, C-2), tourist commercial zones, and mixed-use developments. Properties not used as the owner’s principal residence are assessed at the 40% commercial property tax rate rather than the 25% residential rate.
The combined occupancy tax rate is 12.75%: 7% Tennessee state sales tax, 2.75% Sevier County local option sales tax, and 3% Gatlinburg city lodging tax. Airbnb auto-collects the 9.75% state and county portion; hosts must self-remit the 3% city lodging tax separately. VRBO hosts must self-collect and remit all taxes.
Recent change: effective July 1, 2025, Tennessee Public Chapter 364 extended local occupancy tax to the first 30 days of any stay, even when total booking length exceeds 30 days. Sevier County launched its STRU Permit Program for unincorporated areas on January 1, 2024, requiring an annual fire inspection permit ($250 base fee). No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement applies. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
Against national STR benchmarks, Gatlinburg’s April 2026 ADR of $319 runs roughly 45% above the US STR median ADR of approximately $220. Occupancy at 54.2% is in line with the national median of roughly 55%, placing Gatlinburg as a high-rate, average-occupancy market rather than a high-volume, lower-rate market.
By total listing count, Gatlinburg ranks among the largest STR markets in the United States. The approximately 23,050 active listings serve a city of 3,663 permanent residents, a structural dynamic that differentiates this market from urban STR markets where residential use competes with STR use.
Professional property management is a significant presence in this market. Vacasa leads with 556 listings and 42,813 reviews (rating: 4.4). Cabins for You operates 461 listings with 14,860 reviews (rating: 4.3). Avada manages 424 listings and holds the highest average rating among the top five at 4.7 across 33,056 reviews. American Patriot Getaways operates 423 listings, and Evolve manages 371 listings with 34,055 reviews and a 4.6 rating. The top five operators collectively account for approximately 2,235 listings, roughly 9.7% of total active inventory, suggesting this is not a highly consolidated market and independent operators retain a meaningful share.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gatlinburg, Tennessee
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