Cullman, Alabama Short-Term Rental Market
Cullman, AL short-term rentals averaged $223/night at 48.3% occupancy in May 2026.
Quick Answer: Cullman, Alabama is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 55%. average monthly revenue is $3,645. average daily rate is $245.
Market data reflects the Alabama Area regional market, which includes Cullman. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cullman.
Market Overview
Cullman is a north Alabama city located on I-65 between Birmingham and Huntsville, with a resident population of approximately 20,239. The city markets itself around German heritage and festivals, with signature events including Oktoberfest and Christkindlmarkt. Primary visitor draws include the Ave Maria Grotto (a 4-acre religious landmark), Lewis Smith Lake for boating and fishing, and a revitalized historic downtown. Cullman County falls within the 16-county North Alabama tourism region where travelers spent $4.9 billion in 2024, up 3.9% year-over-year. A Cullman-specific annual visitor count is not published.
In May 2026, the STR market recorded an average daily rate of $223 and an occupancy rate of 48.3%, producing a RevPAR of $108. Average monthly revenue per active listing was approximately $2,941. Year-over-year compared to May 2025, occupancy declined 2.2 percentage points and revenue declined 0.7%, while ADR gained 0.6%.
Over the longer-term trend, ADR has been relatively stable in the $175 to $227 range since 2017. Annual average occupancy peaked at 55.9% in 2021 and has declined each year since, reaching 46.2% in 2025. Revenue per listing averaged $2,661 per month in 2025, near its multi-year average.
Bedroom mix, channel mix, and listing-type breakdowns are not available in the current snapshot for this area.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $145 | $1,607 |
| Feb | 46% | $147 | $1,643 |
| Mar | 53% | $166 | $2,306 |
| Apr | 49% | $172 | $2,258 |
| May | 50% | $201 | $2,636 |
| Jun | 58% | $224 | $3,461 |
| Jul | 59% | $227 | $3,701 |
| Aug | 46% | $200 | $2,581 |
| Sep | 45% | $211 | $2,503 |
| Oct | 46% | $193 | $2,526 |
| Nov | 45% | $201 | $2,416 |
| Dec | 38% | $170 | $2,051 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cullman?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $250 |
| Luxury | $458 |
| Professionally Managed | $303 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,261 |
| Entire Place | $3,724 |
| House | $4,152 |
Investment Analysis
Cullman’s STR market is a modest, steady-revenue environment rather than a high-growth destination. In May 2026, average monthly revenue per active listing was approximately $2,941. The 2025 calendar-year monthly average was $2,661, implying an annualized gross revenue of approximately $31,932 per active listing before platform fees, taxes, and operating expenses.
ADR at $223 in May 2026 is roughly at the national STR median of approximately $220, meaning the market does not carry a significant premium or discount relative to the broader US STR average. RevPAR of $108 reflects the below-median occupancy.
A critical consideration for Cullman investors is zoning. Under Ordinance No. 2024-17, STRs are permitted by right only in non-residential zones (B-1, B-2, B-3, CBD, and Institutional districts). They are not listed as a by-right use in standard residential zones. Investors must confirm a property’s zoning classification before purchase, as a residential parcel may not qualify for STR operation under current city rules.
No housing price snapshot is currently available for this area. Tier-level ADR data (luxury, professionally managed) is not available in the current snapshot.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Booking lead time and length-of-stay data are not available in the current snapshot for this area. Cullman’s summer peak tied to lake recreation and festivals suggests that July bookings on Lewis Smith Lake-adjacent properties may book further in advance than the city average. Festival weekends (Oktoberfest, Christkindlmarkt, Alabama Strawberry Festival) may also generate compressed demand windows where advance pricing is important.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cullman requires a Short-Term Rental Permit under City of Cullman Zoning Code Section 62-103 as amended by Ordinance No. 2024-17, plus a city business license. Permits renew annually. The permit fee is not published in available sources; contact the City of Cullman Planning Department for the current fee schedule.
The critical zoning constraint: STRs are permitted by right only in non-residential districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, CBD, and Institutional). They are not listed as a by-right use in standard residential zones within city limits. Investors must verify the zoning of any specific property before operating an STR.
Operators must register with the Alabama Department of Revenue for lodging-tax collection. The Alabama state lodgings tax for Cullman County is 5.0%. Additional county and city of Cullman municipal lodging taxes apply on top of the state rate, but the combined local rate was not confirmed in published sources. Investors should contact the City of Cullman tax office at 256-775-1398 to verify the current total rate.
Owner-occupancy and primary-residence requirements do not apply. There is no cap on maximum rental nights per year. Enforcement is categorized as moderate.
Market Comparison
Cullman’s May 2026 ADR of $223 is approximately at the national STR median of $220, suggesting the market is broadly in line with typical US short-term rental pricing. Occupancy at 48.3% is below the approximate US STR median of 55%, indicating the market carries more supply relative to demand than the national average.
RevPAR of $108 is below what most established lake or resort markets post, reflecting Cullman’s position as a regional drive-market destination rather than a primary tourism destination. The 2025 annual average occupancy of 46.2% is a multi-year low for the market.
Top property manager data is not available in the current snapshot. Operator concentration and professional management share cannot be assessed from current data.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cullman, Alabama
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