Hello again, it’s Edna Stewart. As a data analyst who has spent nearly four decades looking at market trends, I always find it interesting to explore the stories hidden within the numbers. Today, we’ll turn our attention to Dripping Springs, Texas, another beautiful spot in the Hill Country. Using the latest information from our trusted data partner, StaySTRa.com, let’s see what the short-term rental market looks like there as of April 2025.
Rapid Growth, Recent Plateau?
Dripping Springs has seen remarkable growth in its short-term rental scene. Back in April 2014, StaySTRa.com tracked only 4 listings. Think about that! Just four places available. By April 2024, that number had surged to 665 listings. It’s clear that Dripping Springs became a popular place for both visitors and rental hosts. However, the most recent count in January 2025 shows 642 active rentals, a slight dip from the peak. It will be interesting to watch if this leveling-off continues.
What Rentals Look Like in Dripping Springs
Similar to nearby areas, the vast majority of rentals here are ‘Entire Place’ options – StaySTRa.com counts 544 of them. This means guests typically get a whole house, cabin, or apartment to themselves. There are far fewer Private Rooms (35 listings) and only a single Hotel Room listed in this dataset.
What about size? The average rental in Dripping Springs accommodates about 7 people (6.9 guests) and has between 2 and 3 bedrooms (2.6 bedrooms on average). This suggests properties might be slightly larger on average compared to some other Hill Country towns, making them well-suited for families or groups attending events, perhaps like weddings, which Dripping Springs is known for.
How Often Are Rentals Booked? (Occupancy)
Occupancy tells us how frequently properties have guests. Over the last twelve months (LTM), the typical (median) ‘Entire Place’ rental in Dripping Springs was booked about 38.7% of the time (LTM Occ: 0.387…). So, for every 10 nights available, just under 4 were booked, on average. This is a bit lower than some neighboring markets.
Looking at recent months, March 2025 saw occupancy rise to around 48.4% (0.4838…), which is common as weather improves and travel picks up. However, the winter months were slower – January 2025 had a median occupancy of only 25.8% (0.258…), and February was around 30% (0.3…).
What Does It Cost to Stay? (Average Daily Rate – ADR)
How much does a night cost? The Average Daily Rate (ADR) gives us that picture. Over the last twelve months, the median ADR for an entire place was $261 (LTM ADR: 261).
Like occupancy, rates fluctuate. March 2025 saw a median ADR of $264.23. Interestingly, April 2024 had a higher median ADR at $295.60, while rates dipped in late summer/early fall 2024 (around $250-$270). This shows how prices adjust based on demand throughout the year.
How Much Can Hosts Earn? (Revenue)
When we combine how often a place is booked (occupancy) with the nightly rate (ADR), we get the monthly revenue. For the past year, the typical (median) monthly revenue for an entire place rental in Dripping Springs was $2,432 (LTM Revenue: 2432).
Again, seasonality plays a big role. March 2025 brought in median revenue of $3,185.50. But the slower winter months saw significantly lower earnings, like January 2025 with a median of just $1,493. August and September 2024 were also notably low, around $1,840-$1,845.
Understanding Demand
StaySTRa.com provides a “Rental Demand” score, which for Dripping Springs is currently 33.21. Compared to other areas we’ve looked at, this score suggests a somewhat lower level of organic rental demand. This aligns with the lower overall occupancy rate we observed. For those wanting to dig deeper into metrics like these, the StaySTRa Analyzer is a great resource. You’ll often find these properties listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
Looking Ahead
The Dripping Springs short-term rental market shows a history of strong growth, though recent data might suggest a potential leveling off in supply. Rentals tend to be slightly larger family- or group-sized homes. While nightly rates are solid, overall occupancy and resulting monthly revenues appear lower than in some nearby Hill Country destinations, with significant seasonal dips, particularly in winter and late summer.
Considering investing or hosting in Dripping Springs? Understanding these trends is vital. We always recommend connecting with a local real estate professional who knows the nuances of the short-term rental market in this specific area. They can offer tailored guidance.
Don’t forget to check back with us next month for fresh data and insights on Dripping Springs and other markets!
TL;DR Dripping Springs STR Market (April 2025):
- Growth: Huge increase from just 4 rentals in 2014 to ~650 now, but recent numbers show a slight plateau/dip.
- Typical Rental: Mostly entire homes, average size fits ~7 people (2-3 bedrooms), slightly larger than some neighbors.
- Last Year’s Performance (Median):
- Booked about 39% of the time (Occupancy) – lower than some nearby areas.
- Average nightly rate was $261 (ADR).
- Typical monthly earnings were $2,432 (Revenue) – impacted by lower occupancy.
- Seasonality: Clear busy (Spring) and slow (Winter, late Summer) periods impacting bookings and earnings significantly. Jan 2025 revenue was particularly low ($1493).
- Data Source: StaySTRa.com
In short, Dripping Springs has grown fast but might be stabilizing. Rentals are often larger homes, but they get booked less often than in some nearby towns, leading to lower typical monthly revenue despite decent nightly rates. Watch out for the slow seasons!
