Auburn, Alabama Short-Term Rental Market
Auburn STRs averaged $198/night at 47.7% occupancy in April 2026, driven by Auburn University event demand.
Quick Answer: Auburn, Alabama is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 48%. average monthly revenue is $2,531. average daily rate is $198. the top operator is Evolve with 254 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Auburn, Alabama operates one of the most event-driven short-term rental markets in the Southeast. The market recorded a $197.85 average daily rate and 47.7% occupancy in April 2026, producing a RevPAR of $94.41. Average monthly revenue per listing came in at $2,531.
The Auburn STR inventory spans approximately 7,602 active listings. Entire-place rentals dominate at 7,255 units (95% of supply), with private rooms accounting for 346 listings and shared rooms representing just 1. Bedroom distribution skews toward 3-bedroom properties (2,196 listings), followed closely by 2-bedroom (2,006) and 1-bedroom (1,888) units. Larger properties with 4 bedrooms (960 listings) and 5+ bedrooms (537 listings) serve the group travel demand surrounding Jordan-Hare Stadium game weekends.
Airbnb leads platform distribution with 3,317 Airbnb-only listings, while 3,503 listings appear on both Airbnb and VRBO and 782 list exclusively on VRBO. Year-over-year, occupancy declined a modest 0.96% while ADR rose 0.89% and revenue grew 2.0%, indicating the market is holding rate discipline even as occupancy softens slightly. The overall market score sits at 76.91 out of 100, with investability scoring particularly high at 95.19.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $145 | $1,611 |
| Feb | 46% | $147 | $1,646 |
| Mar | 53% | $166 | $2,310 |
| Apr | 49% | $172 | $2,260 |
| May | 50% | $198 | $2,599 |
| Jun | 59% | $222 | $3,441 |
| Jul | 59% | $227 | $3,702 |
| Aug | 46% | $200 | $2,582 |
| Sep | 45% | $211 | $2,504 |
| Oct | 46% | $193 | $2,528 |
| Nov | 45% | $201 | $2,417 |
| Dec | 39% | $170 | $2,055 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Auburn
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 254 | 8,607 | ★ 4.73 |
| 2 | Smith Lake | 65 | 560 | ★ 4.74 |
| 3 | Magnolia Linen Company | 53 | 4,727 | ★ 4.90 |
| 4 | Mentone Mountain Getaways | 45 | 3,596 | ★ 4.82 |
| 5 | 360 Destinations | 44 | 721 | ★ 4.73 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Auburn?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,888 |
| 2 bed | 2,006 |
| 3 bed | 2,196 |
| 4 bed | 960 |
| 5 bed | 537 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $201 |
| Luxury | $390 |
| Professionally Managed | $228 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,877 |
| Entire Place | $2,589 |
| House | $2,798 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 43.6% |
| vrbo | 10.3% |
| both | 46.1% |
Investment Analysis
Auburn’s investment signal is anchored in its university event calendar. At a $417,207 typical home value and $2,531 average monthly revenue, the annualized gross revenue of approximately $30,372 implies a gross yield of roughly 7.3% before expenses, which is above the national STR average.
Revenue varies meaningfully by property type. Houses average $2,798/month, entire-place listings average $2,589/month, and apartments average $1,877/month. The professionally-managed tier commands a $228.38 ADR versus the all-listings average of $197.85, a 15% premium that points to a meaningful return from professional management. Luxury properties average $390.33 ADR, though that tier serves a narrower slice of demand.
The sale-to-list ratio of 0.855 with a median 17 days to pending suggests the Auburn housing market moves at a measured pace, giving buyers reasonable negotiation room. With 408 active for-sale listings and a median list price of $452,000, entry-cost options exist across a range of price points. Revenue growth of 2.0% year-over-year signals steady if unspectacular forward momentum. The market’s 95.19 investability score reflects the combination of above-average yield, strong university demand drivers, and a clear regulatory framework.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Auburn guests book an average of 48.4 days in advance, with an average length of stay of 3.67 nights. The 48-day lead window aligns with how Auburn visitors plan around specific university events: football game tickets are purchased weeks to months ahead, and graduation weekend bookings often fill 60 to 90 days out.
The 3.67-night average stay suggests a mix of weekend trip guests (2-3 nights for football or graduation weekends) and longer academic-visit stays (move-in weekend, extended family visits during semester). This stay profile means moderate turnover costs for operators. Pricing strategies that distinguish game-weekend minimums from mid-week shoulder rates tend to outperform flat-rate approaches given the demand concentration around specific calendar dates.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Auburn operates a two-tier STR framework adopted in March 2021. The two categories are Homestay (owner renting their primary residence) and Short-Term Non-Primary Rental (investor-owned property rented under 30 consecutive days).
Homestays require a Home Occupation Permit and allow the owner to be absent up to 90 days per year. Non-primary rentals require a Zoning Certificate (approximately $300 application fee, $250 annual renewal) plus a safety inspection of approximately $75. Non-primary rentals are capped at 240 operating days per calendar year and are banned in Neighborhood Conservation (NC) zones.
Both types require a Short-Term Rental Business License (minimum $100/year or 0.25% of gross receipts, whichever is greater). The combined guest-facing tax rate is 13%, comprised of a 7% city lodging tax, 4% Alabama state lodging tax, and 2% Lee County surcharge.
Enforcement is moderate but meaningful. Two substantiated complaints within a calendar year triggers zoning certificate revocation for the remainder of that year and all of the following year. Operating without compliance carries a $500/day penalty or up to six months in jail. Private and commercial events are expressly prohibited at all STR types. The city’s zoning ordinance was updated as of March 18, 2025.
Market Comparison
Auburn’s 47.7% occupancy in April 2026 runs below the national STR median of approximately 55%, reflecting the seasonal and event-driven nature of the market rather than weak underlying demand. The $197.85 ADR is also below the national median of approximately $220, consistent with a mid-size university city in the Southeast rather than a coastal or mountain resort market.
Where Auburn stands out is investability (95.19 score), which reflects the combination of consistent university demand, clear regulations, and accessible home prices relative to revenue potential.
Evolve leads the professional management landscape with 254 listings and 8,607 reviews at a 4.73 rating, holding a dominant position in this market. Smith Lake follows with 65 listings and a 4.74 rating. Magnolia Linen Company operates 53 listings with a 4.90 rating across 4,727 reviews, the highest-rated operator in the top 5. Mentone Mountain Getaways (45 listings, 4.82 rating) and 360 Destinations (44 listings, 4.73 rating) round out the top operators. Evolve alone accounts for roughly 3.3% of all active listings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auburn, Alabama
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