Chapin, South Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Chapin, SC Lake Murray rentals averaged $182/night at 67.2% occupancy in April 2026, with revenue up 3.5% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Chapin, South Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 69%. average monthly revenue is $3,473. average daily rate is $184. the top operator is Heartwood Furnished Homes with 216 listings. market score is 93/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Columbia, SC regional market, which includes Chapin. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Chapin.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Chapin is a town of approximately 1,908 residents in Lexington County, South Carolina, marketed as the ‘Capital of Lake Murray’ — a 50,000-acre recreational reservoir that drives regional demand for boating, fishing, swimming, and watersports. The STR market serves drive-in visitors from the Columbia metro and the broader Southeast seeking waterfront and lake-adjacent accommodations.
Approximately 2,617 active listings operate in the market. Entire-place rentals dominate at 2,275 listings (86.9% of the total), with private rooms at 330 and shared rooms at 12. The channel split leans toward Airbnb: 1,374 single-channel Airbnb listings, 124 VRBO-only, and 1,119 listed on both platforms. The bedroom mix is relatively even across 1-bedroom (770), 3-bedroom (726), 2-bedroom (679), 4-bedroom (302), and 5-bedroom-plus (134) properties.
In April 2026, the market averaged $182 per night at 67.2% occupancy, producing a RevPAR of $122. Year-over-year, occupancy gained 3.2 percentage points, ADR rose 1.1%, and average monthly revenue grew 3.5%. The market’s total investment score is 93.0 out of 100, with rental demand at 88.1 and seasonality at 85.1 reflecting steady year-round demand.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50% | $113 | $1,653 |
| Feb | 62% | $118 | $1,855 |
| Mar | 65% | $132 | $2,288 |
| Apr | 63% | $146 | $2,509 |
| May | 59% | $159 | $2,477 |
| Jun | 66% | $155 | $2,727 |
| Jul | 67% | $147 | $2,704 |
| Aug | 65% | $155 | $2,658 |
| Sep | 58% | $154 | $2,333 |
| Oct | 58% | $148 | $2,397 |
| Nov | 57% | $154 | $2,405 |
| Dec | 50% | $127 | $1,955 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Chapin
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heartwood Furnished Homes | 216 | 14,754 | ★ 4.75 |
| 2 | Evolve | 51 | 1,922 | ★ 4.70 |
| 3 | Patriot Family Homes | 42 | 2,275 | ★ 4.25 |
| 4 | Casago | 33 | 515 | ★ 4.21 |
| 5 | Be Our Guest | 30 | 1,698 | ★ 4.64 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Chapin?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 770 |
| 2 bed | 679 |
| 3 bed | 726 |
| 4 bed | 302 |
| 5 bed | 134 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $197 |
| Luxury | $323 |
| Professionally Managed | $232 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,402 |
| Entire Place | $3,726 |
| House | $3,806 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.5% |
| vrbo | 4.7% |
| both | 42.8% |
Investment Analysis
Chapin is a high-performing lake market with strong occupancy year-round. At a typical home value of $440,505 and 2025 annual average revenue of $2,961 per month, the annualized gross revenue is approximately $35,500, implying a gross yield of roughly 8.1% before expenses. This is a meaningful signal for investors: most STR markets produce gross yields in the 5-8% range, and Chapin lands at the upper end.
The ADR tier spread is substantial. The market-wide April 2026 average was $182. Entire-home listings averaged $195, professionally managed properties averaged $237 (a 30% premium over the market average), and luxury-tier listings reached $298 per night — 64% above the overall market. Houses averaged $3,571 in monthly revenue and entire-place listings averaged $3,612, while apartments trailed at $2,659.
Revenue has grown consistently over the longer term: from $1,617 per month in 2018 to $2,961 per month in 2025, an 83% increase over seven years. The 2025 annual average occupancy was 60.5% at an ADR of $174, both well above national STR medians. The market’s investability score of 91.3 and rental demand score of 88.1 reinforce the data trend. The median sale price of $430,333 and 31 median days to pending indicate a reasonably active real estate market with some price flexibility.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Chapin guests book an average of 41.5 days in advance, consistent with a lake market where weekend and holiday trips are planned 4-6 weeks out. This lead time gives hosts a clear forward demand signal for dynamic pricing: rates can be set at target levels six weeks out and adjusted based on fill rate in the final two weeks before arrival.
The average length of stay is 3.9 nights, nearly a full extended-weekend stay. This is favorable for turnover efficiency — at 3.9 nights, hosts can expect roughly 7-8 guest stays per month at high occupancy. It also suggests some midweek demand, as a pure weekend market would show averages closer to 2-3 nights.
For pricing strategy, the 41-day lead time and 67% April occupancy suggest the market responds well to consistent pricing rather than deep last-minute discounts. Minimum-stay policies of 2-3 nights on weekends are practical given the 3.9-night average. The relative year-round consistency of the market (seasonality score 85.1/100) also means that pricing optimization across shoulder months is particularly valuable here compared to more extreme seasonal markets.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Chapin does not have a dedicated short-term-rental ordinance. STRs operate under general rules: any business operating within town limits must hold a Town of Chapin business license, renewed annually (license year May 1 to April 30). License fees are tiered by business classification and gross income; the specific fee schedule for STRs was not published in available sources and should be confirmed directly with the Town of Chapin.
On taxes, South Carolina imposes a 7% state accommodations tax (5% sales tax plus 2% accommodations tax) on rentals under 90 continuous days. Whether the Town of Chapin levies a local accommodations tax was not confirmed in available sources; municipalities in South Carolina may impose up to an additional 3%. Investors should budget for the 7% state rate and verify the Chapin local rate directly with the Town of Chapin and the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
Zoning for STRs is governed by Chapin’s Unified Zoning and Development Ordinance, adopted in 2024. No STR-specific zoning restriction, density cap, or owner-occupancy requirement was found. There is no confirmed annual night cap or primary-residence requirement. Enforcement is classified as minimal. Investors should confirm permitted-use status for a specific parcel with the Town Planning and Zoning Department (157 NW Columbia Ave, 803-345-2444).
Market Comparison
Chapin’s April 2026 occupancy of 67.2% is well above the U.S. STR market median of approximately 55%, and the 2025 annual average of 60.5% also exceeds the national median. The April ADR of $182 is below the national STR median of roughly $220, positioning Chapin as a high-occupancy, moderate-rate market — a profile that generates consistent cash flow even at sub-premium pricing.
The operator landscape is led by Heartwood Furnished Homes, which manages 216 listings with 14,754 reviews and a 4.75 rating — approximately 8.3% of total market supply, a notable concentration for a single operator. Evolve follows with 51 listings (4.70 rating, 1,922 reviews), and Patriot Family Homes holds 42 listings (4.25 rating, 2,275 reviews). Casago operates 33 listings (4.21 rating) and Be Our Guest rounds out the top 5 with 30 listings (4.64 rating). Together the top 5 operators manage 372 listings, or 14.2% of total supply, reflecting meaningful professional management penetration in a market where lake-house owners frequently outsource operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chapin, South Carolina
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