Cedar Key, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Cedar Key STRs averaged $179/night at 55.8% occupancy in April 2026 with $2,828 average monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Cedar Key, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 56%. average monthly revenue is $2,828. average daily rate is $179. the top operator is Evolve with 358 listings. market score is 60/100 (grade C).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Cedar Key is a small island community in Levy County on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with a permanent population of approximately 732. The town is known for its working waterfront, commercial clam aquaculture (over 90% of Florida’s farmed clam production), and nature-based tourism centered on the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. As of April 2026, the STR market posted an average daily rate of $179 and an occupancy rate of 55.8%, producing average monthly revenue of $2,828. RevPAR came in at $99.99.
The market carries approximately 8,090 active listings. Entire-place properties dominate at 7,621 units (94.2% of total), with 468 private-room listings and just 1 shared-room unit. By bedroom count, 2-bedroom (2,787) and 3-bedroom (2,801) properties are the most common segments, followed by 1-bedroom (1,799), 4-bedroom (551), and 5-bedroom (129).
Channel distribution is predominantly Airbnb: 4,046 listings appear on both platforms, 3,067 are Airbnb-only, and 977 are VRBO-only. Year-over-year, occupancy declined 4.07% while ADR rose 3.03%, for a net revenue change of -1.16% versus April 2025. The annual data shows 2024 and 2025 both produced average annual revenue near $2,755 per listing, suggesting the market has been in a consolidation period.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 65% | $178 | $3,127 |
| Feb | 80% | $158 | $3,056 |
| Mar | 78% | $159 | $3,290 |
| Apr | 58% | $154 | $2,467 |
| May | 53% | $152 | $2,220 |
| Jun | 61% | $161 | $2,541 |
| Jul | 64% | $168 | $3,001 |
| Aug | 52% | $149 | $2,255 |
| Sep | 48% | $136 | $1,809 |
| Oct | 54% | $134 | $1,936 |
| Nov | 58% | $139 | $2,032 |
| Dec | 57% | $148 | $2,218 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Cedar Key
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 358 | 13,225 | ★ 4.74 |
| 2 | A&J Home Concierge | 160 | 633 | ★ 4.74 |
| 3 | McCormick Management Vacation Rental | 106 | 3,510 | ★ 4.84 |
| 4 | Village Valet Property Management, LLC | 102 | 1,251 | ★ 4.68 |
| 5 | Down Home Properties | 87 | 1,128 | ★ 4.69 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cedar Key?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,799 |
| 2 bed | 2,787 |
| 3 bed | 2,801 |
| 4 bed | 551 |
| 5 bed | 129 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $184 |
| Luxury | $283 |
| Professionally Managed | $203 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,252 |
| Entire Place | $2,909 |
| House | $2,991 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 37.9% |
| vrbo | 12.1% |
| both | 50% |
Investment Analysis
At a typical home value of $316,297 (Zillow estimate, April 2026) and average monthly STR revenue of $2,828, Cedar Key properties produce a gross annualized revenue of approximately $33,934, representing a gross yield of roughly 10.7% before operating expenses, management fees, and vacancies.
Tier comparisons show a moderate premium for higher-end inventory. Luxury-tier properties averaged $283/night versus the market-wide $179, a 58% premium. Professionally managed properties averaged $203/night, outperforming the overall average by 13%. Houses averaged $2,991 per month in revenue, entire-place listings $2,909, and apartments $2,252.
The median list price of $397,000 is considerably above the typical home value estimate of $316,297, indicating that actively listed properties tend to be priced above the market average. For-sale inventory is limited at 71 units as of April 2026. Sale price and days-to-pending data were not available in the April 2026 snapshot.
The market’s investability score is 83.88 out of 100, one of the stronger readings in the Florida small-market segment. The seasonality score of 81.80 reflects relatively contained seasonal swings compared to larger coastal markets. Revenue growth scores at 47.48, consistent with the recent YoY softness. The low permit cost ($230 combined) and minimal enforcement environment are positive entry factors.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Cedar Key bookings arrive an average of 47 days in advance as of April 2026, with a typical stay length of 5.12 nights. The 47-day lead time is shorter than most Florida coastal markets, consistent with a smaller destination where guests make plans 6-7 weeks out rather than months in advance.
The near-5-night average stay suggests most guests book extended weekend or full-week trips. Turnover is moderate, and gap-fill between bookings is a meaningful consideration. The annual seafood festival in October and arts festival in March create defined demand spikes where rates should be set well above baseline.
For pricing strategy, the shorter lead time (47 days) means operators should not hold rates high too far out. Dynamic pricing calibrated to a 40-50 day booking window captures the most demand. Last-minute discounting in shoulder months (August-November) can improve occupancy without materially impacting peak yields, since peak demand (February-March) typically books to the 47-day average.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cedar Key STRs are permitted under Florida state law, which preempts local bans and duration restrictions under Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b). The primary requirement is a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License (Dwelling type for 1-4 unit residential properties), costing approximately $230 combined for the first year ($50 application fee, $10 Hospitality Education Program fee, $170 annual license fee for a single unit). Annual renewal is required. Operators renting more than three times per year for periods under 30 days must hold this license.
Operators must also obtain a Cedar Key City Business License and a Local Business Tax Receipt from the city. No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement applies.
The combined tax burden on gross rental receipts is 11%: 6% Florida state sales tax, 1% Levy County discretionary sales surtax, and 4% Levy County Tourist Development Tax. The Levy County TDT increased from 2% to 4% effective January 1, 2020. Tax remittance is due monthly. Levy County administers the TDT separately from the state sales tax; operators must register and file with the county directly.
Governor DeSantis vetoed SB 280 in June 2024, preserving the current framework where state preemption covers bans and duration limits, while local governments retain the ability to impose operational rules (registration, safety, occupancy, noise, parking). Enforcement in Cedar Key is rated minimal. No maximum nights-per-year cap has been identified.
Market Comparison
Cedar Key’s April 2026 occupancy of 55.8% is near the US STR median of approximately 55%, slightly above average for its market size. Its ADR of $179 is below the US median of roughly $220, consistent with a small inland-coastal community rather than a major beach destination. RevPAR of $100 reflects the lower price point.
The market’s investability score of 83.88 is notably strong, driven by a favorable regulatory environment and modest competition. Rental demand at 74.95 and seasonality at 81.80 both read as solid for a market this size. Revenue growth at 47.48 is below average.
Operator concentration is moderate. Evolve leads with 358 listings and 13,225 reviews (average rating 4.74). A&J Home Concierge holds 160 listings with 633 reviews (4.74 rating). McCormick Management Vacation Rental manages 106 listings with 3,510 reviews and the highest rating among top operators at 4.84. Together, the top three operators account for 624 listings, roughly 7.7% of the market, with independent operators controlling the vast majority of inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Key, Florida
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