Palmer, Alaska Short-Term Rental Market
Palmer STR market in September 2026 averaged $194 ADR, 54.2% occupancy and $2,814 monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Palmer, Alaska is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Anchorage market area is 54%. average monthly revenue in the Anchorage market area is $2,814. average daily rate in the Anchorage market area is $194. the top operator in the Anchorage market area is Vacasa with 112 listings. market score is 81/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Anchorage regional market, which includes Palmer. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Palmer.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Palmer, Alaska sits in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage, with a population of 6,378. As of September 2026, the Palmer area STR market posted an average daily rate (ADR) of $194, occupancy of 54.2% and average monthly revenue of $2,814 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 4.5%, ADR is up 10.6% and revenue is up 3.4%, so rate growth is doing most of the work while bookings have also edged higher.
The market is large for a town this size. The Palmer area STR market tracks 4,684 listings. Entire places make up 4,157 of them (about 88.7%), followed by 497 private rooms and 30 shared rooms. By bedroom count, 1,946 listings are one bedroom, 1,436 are two bedroom, 864 are three bedroom, 272 are four bedroom and 156 are five bedroom, so smaller units dominate supply. On distribution, 2,749 listings are on Airbnb only, 200 are on Vrbo only and 1,735 appear on both platforms.
Year to date, 2026 is running ahead of recent history. Through nine months, occupancy averages 61.7%, ADR averages $199 and monthly revenue averages $3,289, compared with a full-year 2025 occupancy of 58.2%, ADR of $177 and monthly revenue of $2,790. The summer months pull that average up, which is why the September figures sit below the year to date numbers.
Demand is anchored by the Alaska State Fair, held in Palmer in late August, which drew roughly 388,800 attendees in 2025. Farm tours, Hatcher Pass recreation and Matanuska Glacier day trips add to summer demand. The StaySTRA market score for the area is 80.8 out of 100, with rental demand at 83.5 and revenue growth at 85.0.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 45% |
| Feb | 55% |
| Mar | 58% |
| Apr | 52% |
| May | 64% |
| Jun | 74% |
| Jul | 74% |
| Aug | 72% |
| Sep | 56% |
| Oct | 44% |
| Nov | 49% |
| Dec | 55% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Palmer are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Anchorage market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Anchorage market as a whole, which includes Palmer, so these counts are not Palmer-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 112 | 7,680 | ★ 4.41 |
| 2 | Evolve | 100 | 4,738 | ★ 4.71 |
| 3 | Casa Rentals | 73 | 4,176 | ★ 4.86 |
| 4 | Akstay | 38 | 3,752 | ★ 4.85 |
| 5 | Northern Stay Alaska | 35 | 551 | ★ 4.43 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Palmer?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Palmer 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 | 58.7% |
| vrbo | 4.3% |
| both | 37% |
Home Value Trends (Palmer)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Palmer 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 Palmer — 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
Palmer permits short-term rentals, and they are regulated under Palmer Municipal Code Chapter 17.89. Operators must hold a City Short-Term Rental License and a State of Alaska business license. The Palmer city business license is $25 per year. The STR application asks for the state business license number, the property location and the rental capacity. The exact STR license fee is not published online, so confirm it with Palmer Finance or Community Development.
Licenses are valid for one calendar year and renew annually, with renewal due before February 1. A responsible contact person must be reachable whenever the property is rented, and a sign with the contact information and license number must be posted inside each unit. The license number and occupancy limit must appear in all advertising and online listings.
Parking is a practical requirement: each rented bedroom or unit needs one additional off-street parking space under Chapter 17.64, and on-street guest parking is not allowed. Paid events such as weddings and receptions are prohibited unless the property is in an agriculture or commercial zoning district. Operators must also follow the noise and quiet hours rules in Chapter 8.36 and all building, electrical and city codes.
There is no cap on nights per year, and no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement was found, so non-owner-occupied rentals are allowed. There is no dedicated lodging tax. Palmer’s 3% city sales tax applies to rentals, capped on the first $1,000 per transaction, which limits the tax to $30 per transaction. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. Rules can change, so confirm current requirements with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
As of September 2026, Palmer area occupancy is 54.2% and ADR is $194. In June and July, ADR reaches $190 to $192 and occupancy is above 73%, so the summer months are the strongest part of the year.
Momentum is a point in Palmer’s favor. ADR is up 10.6% year over year and occupancy is up 4.5%, and the 2026 year to date ADR of $199 is already 12% higher than the 2025 average of $177.
Professional operators have a visible presence in the Palmer area STR market. Vacasa leads with 112 listings and a 4.4 rating, followed by Evolve with 100 listings and a 4.7 rating, Casa Rentals with 73 listings and a 4.9 rating, Akstay with 38 listings and a 4.8 rating, and Northern Stay Alaska with 35 listings and a 4.4 rating. Managed listings earn $221 ADR against $194 for all listings, so competing with these operators means matching their guest experience.
The StaySTRA market score is 80.8 out of 100, supported by revenue growth of 85.0, rental demand of 83.5 and regulation of 72.1. Seasonality is the weakest component at 58.4.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palmer, Alaska
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