Interlochen, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Interlochen, MI STRs averaged $233/night at 38.1% April occupancy, anchored by 265,000 annual visitors to the Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Quick Answer: Interlochen, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 64%. average monthly revenue is $6,344. average daily rate is $411. the top operator is Vacasa with 179 listings. market score is 60/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Traverse City regional market, which includes Interlochen. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Interlochen.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Interlochen is a small unincorporated community of 694 residents in Green Lake Township, Grand Traverse County, roughly 15 miles southwest of Traverse City. Its short-term rental market is driven almost entirely by two demand generators: the Interlochen Center for the Arts, which draws approximately 265,000 visitors annually to 700 or more concerts and arts events, and Interlochen State Park, Michigan’s first state park, set on the isthmus between Green Lake and Duck Lake with nearly 490 campsites. The active STR market spans approximately 5,178 listings, of which 5,020 (96.9%) are entire-place rentals and 158 are private rooms. The April 2026 average daily rate was $232.71 with occupancy at 38.1%, a spring shoulder reading that precedes the summer arts season. RevPAR for April was $88.63. Year over year, occupancy declined 4.1% while ADR gained 4.7%, with revenue essentially flat at +0.4%. The bedroom distribution is fairly even: 2-bedroom units lead at 1,503 listings, followed by 1-bedroom (1,295), 3-bedroom (1,231), 4-bedroom (703), and 5-bedroom or larger (440). Platform distribution shows 2,923 listings on both Airbnb and VRBO, 1,472 Airbnb-only, and 783 VRBO-only, with dual-channel listing being the most common strategy. The market’s total score of 59.6 reflects a seasonal arts destination with solid investability (84.1) and revenue growth (78.8) scores.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32% | $243 | $2,220 |
| Feb | 39% | $240 | $2,269 |
| Mar | 35% | $212 | $2,088 |
| Apr | 40% | $219 | $2,095 |
| May | 52% | $274 | $2,700 |
| Jun | 64% | $343 | $5,018 |
| Jul | 79% | $349 | $6,781 |
| Aug | 71% | $347 | $6,316 |
| Sep | 49% | $295 | $3,910 |
| Oct | 45% | $265 | $3,347 |
| Nov | 29% | $230 | $2,034 |
| Dec | 39% | $239 | $2,175 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Interlochen
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 179 | 5,712 | ★ 4.46 |
| 2 | Elevated Homes & Hospitality | 125 | 4,924 | ★ 4.78 |
| 3 | The Mitten Group Property Management | 109 | 9,508 | ★ 4.79 |
| 4 | True North Property Management | 107 | 3,603 | ★ 4.56 |
| 5 | Evolve | 94 | 4,157 | ★ 4.76 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Interlochen?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,295 |
| 2 bed | 1,503 |
| 3 bed | 1,231 |
| 4 bed | 703 |
| 5 bed | 440 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $417 |
| Luxury | $638 |
| Professionally Managed | $441 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $5,431 |
| Entire Place | $6,470 |
| House | $6,994 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 28.4% |
| vrbo | 15.1% |
| both | 56.5% |
Investment Analysis
Interlochen offers a combination of an accessible entry price and consistent revenue growth that makes it attractive for owner-operators of vacation rentals. The typical home value was $368,514 (Zillow, April 2026) and average monthly revenue in April 2026 was $2,186, producing an annualized revenue estimate of approximately $26,233 and an implied gross yield of roughly 7.1%. That figure reflects April, a relatively slow month; 2025 annual average monthly revenue of $4,151 implies a full-year run rate near $49,812 for listings active across all twelve months. Revenue has grown steadily from $2,438/month in 2017 to $4,151/month in 2025, a gain of approximately 70% over eight years, consistent with the revenue growth score of 78.8. ADR has risen from $222 in 2017 to $309 in 2025. The investability score of 84.1 is strong for a northern Michigan market, underpinned by light regulation (no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, no night cap) and genuine year-round demand, albeit with a pronounced summer peak. House-type listings averaged $2,527/month in April 2026 versus $2,203 for entire-place listings broadly and $1,699 for apartments, suggesting that cottage-style properties with more bedrooms outperform smaller units. Luxury-tier listings averaged $425/night, nearly double the market average of $233. With only 15 homes for sale as of April 2026, inventory is limited, and the area’s proximity to Traverse City wine country, beaches, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore adds broader regional appeal for buyers.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Interlochen guests book an average of 49.5 days in advance and stay an average of 3.1 nights. The 49-day lead time is consistent with a market where summer concert and arts events at the Interlochen Center for the Arts are booked weeks ahead of schedule. Guests securing a stay for a specific Kresge Auditorium performance or the Arts Festival tend to plan 6 to 8 weeks out. The 3.1-night average stay aligns with a weekend-focused travel pattern, common for regional drive-market visitors from Traverse City, Detroit, Chicago, and other Midwest cities. Operators should set premium rates for peak July and August weekends by late April or early May, when the arts center’s summer season schedule is published. Shoulder-season pricing in May and September can target longer stays from couples and smaller groups seeking quieter lake recreation outside the peak arts crowd.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Interlochen short-term rentals are governed by Green Lake Township Ordinance No. 07122021.2, most recently revised January 9, 2024 (effective February 13, 2024). Any owner renting a dwelling for fewer than 30 nights must obtain an annual Short-Term Rental License from the Township Zoning Administrator before operating or advertising. A separate license is required for each dwelling. Licenses expire December 31 each year and may be renewed beginning October 1. The application requires owner and caretaker contact information, a floor plan, a parking site plan, and a well-and-septic inspection report (valid for 3 years) reviewed by the Grand Traverse County Health Department, which determines the allowed bedroom count for occupancy purposes. The application fee is set by the Township fee schedule and was not published in the ordinance text; confirm the current amount directly with Green Lake Township. Owner occupancy is not required and there is no primary-residence requirement or annual night cap. Occupancy is limited to 2 guests per legally conforming bedroom plus 2 guests age 15 and under, subject to septic capacity. Operating requirements include weekly trash service, quiet hours from 11pm to 7am, no on-street parking of vehicles, boats, or trailers, and a 24-hour caretaker who must be reachable by phone and within 30 minutes’ travel. The 6% Michigan state lodging tax applies and is typically collected and remitted by Airbnb and VRBO automatically. Enforcement is rated moderate. Grand Traverse County was debating a proposed local excise tax on lodging as of 2026, not yet enacted.
Market Comparison
Nationally, the median STR occupancy is near 55% and the median ADR is around $220. Interlochen’s April 2026 occupancy of 38.1% reflects deep shoulder-season conditions; the seasonal average climbs to 78.9% in July, well above national norms. The $233 ADR is modestly above the national median, reflecting a recreational destination premium without the extreme rates seen in coastal luxury markets. The investability score of 84.1 ranks Interlochen favorably among northern Michigan markets. On operator concentration, Vacasa leads with 179 listings and 5,712 reviews (rating 4.46), followed by Elevated Homes and Hospitality at 125 listings and 4,924 reviews (rating 4.78), and The Mitten Group Property Management at 109 listings and 9,508 reviews (rating 4.79). True North Property Management manages 107 properties (rating 4.56), and Evolve manages 94 listings (rating 4.76). The top five operators together manage 614 listings, approximately 11.9% of the total active market, indicating moderate professional management concentration with owner-operators still comprising the large majority. The Mitten Group’s 9,508 reviews across 109 listings reflects deep experience in this specific market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Interlochen, Michigan
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