Union Pier, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Union Pier STRs averaged $282/night at 40.0% occupancy in April 2026, with permit cap now closed in Chikaming Township.
Quick Answer: Union Pier, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 40%. average monthly revenue is $2,614. average daily rate is $282. the top operator is Jaqua Realtors with 251 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Union Pier is part of southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country corridor, positioned roughly 70 miles from downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. As of April 2026, the market posted an average daily rate of $282 and occupancy of 40.0%, generating a RevPAR of $112. The market holds approximately 8,184 active listings across both platforms, with entire-place rentals comprising 7,895 (96.5%) and 289 private rooms.
Bedroom distribution skews toward larger properties: 3-bedroom units lead with 2,161 listings, followed by 2-bedroom (1,913), 1-bedroom (1,478), 4-bedroom (1,436), and 5-bedroom-plus (1,190). Channel distribution shows 4,620 listings on both Airbnb and Vrbo, 2,325 exclusively on Airbnb, and 1,239 on Vrbo only.
Year-over-year trends in April 2026 were positive across all three metrics: occupancy up 3.7%, ADR up 7.6%, and revenue up 1.9%. Market scores show exceptional investability (94.7 out of 100) and revenue growth (94.4), though seasonality scored 44.1, reflecting the market’s heavy summer weighting. The total market score is 77.3, among the higher readings in this dataset.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30% | $260 | $2,212 |
| Feb | 36% | $252 | $2,182 |
| Mar | 41% | $250 | $2,481 |
| Apr | 40% | $266 | $2,450 |
| May | 49% | $310 | $2,986 |
| Jun | 63% | $380 | $5,339 |
| Jul | 77% | $389 | $7,518 |
| Aug | 69% | $388 | $6,901 |
| Sep | 42% | $340 | $3,858 |
| Oct | 38% | $293 | $3,175 |
| Nov | 30% | $278 | $2,458 |
| Dec | 35% | $279 | $2,443 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Union Pier
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaqua Realtors | 251 | 4,872 | ★ 4.74 |
| 2 | Evolve | 181 | 8,033 | ★ 4.66 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 146 | 6,781 | ★ 4.54 |
| 4 | Unsalted Vacations | 128 | 2,711 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Bluefish Vacation Rentals | 112 | 2,875 | ★ 4.75 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Union Pier?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,478 |
| 2 bed | 1,913 |
| 3 bed | 2,161 |
| 4 bed | 1,436 |
| 5 bed | 1,190 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $284 |
| Luxury | $568 |
| Professionally Managed | $352 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,909 |
| Entire Place | $2,642 |
| House | $2,842 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 28.4% |
| vrbo | 15.1% |
| both | 56.5% |
Investment Analysis
Union Pier presents a high-entry, moderate-yield investment profile. The typical home value is $774,000 as of April 2026, with for-sale inventory extremely thin at only 8 active listings. At the average monthly revenue of $2,614, annualized gross revenue projects to approximately $31,368, implying a gross yield of roughly 4.1% against the typical home value.
Tier differentiation is significant: luxury-tier properties average $568/night versus the all-listings ADR of $282. Professionally managed listings averaged $352/night, a 25% premium over the market average, suggesting that professional management in this market does lift rate performance. House rentals averaged $2,842/month versus $2,642 for entire-place rentals broadly and $1,909 for apartments.
The investability score of 94.7 reflects strong demand fundamentals and the market’s track record. However, the permit cap situation materially changes the risk profile: Chikaming Township’s cap of 550 STR permits was reached in early 2026, and no new applications are being accepted until the 2027 renewal cycle. Buyers of existing permitted properties may pay a premium for that permit. Buyers of unpermitted properties in Chikaming Township cannot legally operate an STR until the cap opens. Properties in New Buffalo Township’s jurisdiction follow different rules but also require active licensing. Buyers must confirm parcel-level jurisdiction before purchasing.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
Run a Free Address Analysis
Skip the market averages. Get revenue projections, comp analysis, and ROI for your specific property address. Free, instant, no signup required.
Analyze My Property →Home Value Trends (Union Pier)
Booking Insights
Union Pier guests book an average of 50.3 days in advance, indicating that travelers plan roughly seven weeks out. For a Chicago-feeder market, this reflects the competitive nature of peak summer weekends and holiday windows. Operators who set seasonal pricing at least 60 to 90 days before peak dates capture the highest-intent bookings before rates get competed down.
Average length of stay is 3.2 nights, consistent with the Friday-through-Monday weekend pattern typical of drive-to beach markets. This cadence produces approximately 8 to 10 bookings per occupied month. A 3-night minimum policy captures the core demand segment; adding 2-night minimums for weekday shoulder periods can improve occupancy without sacrificing peak revenue.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Union Pier spans two townships with separate regulatory frameworks, and the parcel address determines which rules apply.
Chikaming Township (northern Union Pier) adopted Ordinance 164, effective March 23, 2026, creating a hard cap of 550 STR permits township-wide. The cap was reached shortly after the ordinance took effect, and no new applications are being accepted. The next permit opening is projected for the 2027 renewal cycle when permits are not renewed. Permit fees are $500 for the first bedroom plus $250 per additional bedroom (minimum $750 total), with annual renewal required by February 1. Operating without a valid permit triggers a fine of 1.5 times the standard fee. Properties must pass inspection and comply with noise, litter, solid waste, and burning ordinances. Private events are capped at three times the maximum permitted tenant count.
New Buffalo Township (southern Union Pier) requires a $500 license valid for 36 months, with inspection and nuisance-ordinance compliance.
Michigan’s 6% use tax applies to all stays under 30 days. Airbnb collects and remits automatically; Vrbo and direct-booking operators must file with the Michigan Department of Treasury. Berrien County does not impose an additional county accommodations tax. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement in either township. Enforcement severity is rated high due to the active cap framework and structured permit revocation process.
Market Comparison
Union Pier’s $282 ADR exceeds the U.S. STR median of approximately $220, reflecting the market’s premium positioning as a sought-after Chicago-area escape with high-value real estate. The 40.0% April occupancy is below the U.S. annual median of approximately 55%, consistent with an early spring read in a summer-heavy seasonal market.
Year-over-year, all three metrics improved: occupancy +3.7%, ADR +7.6%, revenue +1.9%, suggesting the market absorbed new supply without rate deterioration. The 2025 full-year average of 46.2% occupancy and $345 ADR represents the strongest rate year on record in the historical data.
Among property managers, Jaqua Realtors leads with 251 listings and a 4.74 rating. Evolve follows with 181 listings and 8,033 reviews. Vacasa holds 146 listings with a 4.54 rating. Unsalted Vacations (128 listings, 4.75 rating) and Bluefish Vacation Rentals (112 listings, 4.75 rating) round out the top five. The combined top-5 count of 818 listings represents roughly 10% of total market supply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Union Pier, Michigan
Can I still get a permit to run a short-term rental in Union Pier?
What is the average Airbnb income in Union Pier, MI?
What is the peak season for rentals in Union Pier?
What home prices should I expect when buying an STR in Union Pier?
How does the Union Pier STR market rate for investors?
Which property management companies operate in Union Pier?
What occupancy tax applies to Union Pier rentals?
Analyze Union Pier Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Union Pier.
Free Union Pier STR Calculator →
