Mobile, Alabama Short-Term Rental Market
The Alabama Gulf Coast STR market around Mobile averaged $339 ADR, 56.4% occupancy and $5,092 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Mobile, Alabama is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Gulf Shores/Mobile market area is 56%. average monthly revenue in the Gulf Shores/Mobile market area is $5,092. average daily rate in the Gulf Shores/Mobile market area is $339. the top operator in the Gulf Shores/Mobile market area is Vacasa with 2,094 listings. market score is 82/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Gulf Shores/Mobile regional market, which includes Mobile. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Mobile.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers short-term rentals in Mobile, Alabama, using data for September 2026. Performance figures describe the Alabama Gulf Coast STR market, a regional series that Mobile shares with Gulf Shores. The numbers therefore reflect the wider coast rather than Mobile city limits alone. In September 2026 the Alabama Gulf Coast STR market posted an average daily rate (ADR) of $339, occupancy of 56.4% and average monthly revenue of $5,092 per listing. Entire homes averaged $341 per night. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 12.5%, ADR rose 4.9% and revenue rose 11.0%, so growth came from both more booked nights and higher rates. Calendar 2026 through September averages 63.5% occupancy, a $356 ADR and $6,229 in monthly revenue, ahead of the full 2025 figures of 56.2%, $328 and $5,292. Summed across the seasonal months, a typical listing earns $51,014 a year. September itself beat its usual pattern: the seasonal September average is 52.0% occupancy and a $269 ADR, against 56.4% and $339 in the latest month. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Mobile, so this profile omits them. Demand drivers in Mobile itself are well documented. The city has a population of 203,416 and drew nearly 3.5 million visitors in 2024, up about 2.2% year over year, who spent roughly $1.9 billion on travel. Mobile County ranks third in Alabama for tourism volume. Visitors come for the Port of Mobile and cruise traffic, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, historic downtown around Dauphin Street, and the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. Short-term rentals are permitted citywide with a business license for each rental location.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 39% |
| Feb | 64% |
| Mar | 69% |
| Apr | 49% |
| May | 63% |
| Jun | 80% |
| Jul | 80% |
| Aug | 54% |
| Sep | 52% |
| Oct | 53% |
| Nov | 34% |
| Dec | 30% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Mobile are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Gulf Shores/Mobile market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Gulf Shores/Mobile market as a whole, which includes Mobile, so these counts are not Mobile-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 2,094 | 83,995 | ★ 4.38 |
| 2 | Brett Robinson Vacation Rentals | 1,773 | 15,753 | ★ 4.53 |
| 3 | Liquid Life | 909 | 23,703 | ★ 4.60 |
| 4 | My Beach Getaways | 447 | 10,942 | ★ 4.59 |
| 5 | Beachball Properties | 422 | 13,341 | ★ 4.61 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Mobile?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Mobile are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 14.9% |
| vrbo | 18.3% |
| both | 66.9% |
Home Value Trends (Mobile)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Mobile are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Mobile — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Mobile permits short-term rentals citywide, but they are regulated under a Short-Term Rental Ordinance that took effect January 1, 2021. Each rental location needs a City of Mobile business license. The application fee is about $150 and the license renews annually. The license number must appear on every listing or advertisement. Only entire homes or apartments may be rented, and renting individual rooms is prohibited. A local responsible party must be named with a phone number, posted inside the unit, and must respond to complaints at all hours. Operators must also carry proof of insurance, either a homeowner policy rider that covers short-term rental use or a commercial policy, with at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary-residence requirement and no stated annual cap on rental nights. Lodging taxes apply to stays under 180 days and combine city, Mobile County and Alabama state taxes. Mobile raised its city lodging tax from 8% to 10% effective June 1, 2025, and the combined rate is now roughly 16%, although published sources vary. Returns are filed monthly and are due by the 20th of the following month. Enforcement runs through the city’s business license and revenue process and is rated moderate. Operators should confirm current requirements with the City of Mobile before listing a property.
Market Comparison
The gap between seasons is wide in the Alabama Gulf Coast STR market. September 2026 occupancy was 56.4% with a $339 ADR, and luxury listings reach $445. In December and November, occupancy of 30.4% and 33.6% falls far below the 80.3% and 79.5% reached in June and July. The year-over-year momentum is strong, with occupancy up 12.5%, ADR up 4.9% and revenue up 11.0%. Calendar 2026 through September averages 63.5% occupancy and a $356 ADR. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Mobile, so this profile omits them. For investors comparing markets, the combination of a $198,189 typical home value and $339 nightly rates is the main point in Mobile’s favor, while the sharp winter slowdown is the main risk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile, Alabama
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