Cape Coral, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Southwest Florida STR market in September 2026 averaged $226 ADR, 38.2% occupancy and $2,411 monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Cape Coral, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is 38%. average monthly revenue in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is $2,411. average daily rate in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is $226. the top operator in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is Roelens Realty & Property Management with 614 listings. market score is 48/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Cape Coral/Fort Myers regional market, which includes Cape Coral. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cape Coral.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers Cape Coral within the Southwest Florida (Lee County) STR market. Cape Coral shares an identical performance record with other areas in Lee County, so every performance number below describes the Southwest Florida (Lee County) STR market rather than Cape Coral alone. The data month is September 2026.
In September 2026 the Southwest Florida (Lee County) STR market averaged an ADR of $226 and occupancy of 38.2%, producing average monthly revenue of $2,411 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 8.4%, ADR is up 7.5% and revenue is up 8.1%. September is the seasonal low point for the region, so the occupancy figure reflects the off-season rather than a typical month. The 2026 year to date average across nine months is 56.9% occupancy, a $279 ADR and $4,276 in monthly revenue, ahead of the full-year 2025 figures of 56.1%, $260 and $3,889.
Entire homes averaged $234 per night in September. On the revenue side, houses earned $2,543 per month, entire places $2,472 and apartments $2,222. Summing the twelve seasonal months gives annualized revenue of about $40,821 for a typical listing.
Cape Coral itself is a waterfront city of 224,455 residents with more than 400 miles of navigable canals, which draw boating, fishing and eco-tourism visitors, along with seasonal winter visitors from colder states and international guests. Hotel capacity is limited at about 820 rooms, so visitor lodging leans heavily on vacation homes. Listing counts, bedroom mix and channel mix are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cape Coral, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 67% |
| Feb | 82% |
| Mar | 80% |
| Apr | 53% |
| May | 50% |
| Jun | 60% |
| Jul | 61% |
| Aug | 43% |
| Sep | 40% |
| Oct | 52% |
| Nov | 59% |
| Dec | 61% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Cape Coral are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market as a whole, which includes Cape Coral, so these counts are not Cape Coral-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roelens Realty & Property Management | 614 | 8,143 | ★ 4.58 |
| 2 | Evolve | 446 | 11,657 | ★ 4.62 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 340 | 4,515 | ★ 4.44 |
| 4 | Sun Palace | 278 | 4,019 | ★ 4.60 |
| 5 | Royal Shell Vacations | 249 | 1,913 | ★ 4.64 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cape Coral?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Cape Coral 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 | 22.2% |
| vrbo | 17.1% |
| both | 60.7% |
Home Value Trends (Cape Coral)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Cape Coral 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 Cape Coral — 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
Short-term rentals are legal in Cape Coral and are not capped in duration or frequency. Florida Statute 509.032(7) preempts local governments from banning vacation rentals or regulating their length or number of stays, unless a rule was grandfathered before June 2011. The city’s authority centers on registration, safety standards and code compliance rather than zoning prohibition. STRs are allowed in single-dwelling residential zones provided they meet nuisance, parking, occupancy and health and safety codes. Some guidance references a 7-day minimum stay interpretation, but enforcement is inconsistent.
Effective January 1, 2026 (Resolution 279-25 and Ordinance 53-25), all residential rentals must register with the City of Cape Coral. The Residential Rental Registration for short-term rentals, meaning leases of 6 months or less, costs $350 per year, compared with $35 for long-term rentals. Registration and renewal are annual, tied to each property’s registration anniversary date, and handled through the online portal at CapeCoral.gov/RentalRegistration.
Failing to register, renew or accurately report rental type can bring fines of about $500 for a first short-term-rental violation and $1,000 for repeat offenses, with additional penalties for misrepresentation. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
Every Florida vacation rental operator must also hold a state license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation before taking bookings. Guests pay a 6% Florida state sales tax plus a 5% Lee County Tourist Development Tax, roughly 11% combined, which owners collect and remit. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement. Confirm current rules with the city and state before operating.
Market Comparison
The Southwest Florida (Lee County) STR market shows a split picture between its seasonal low and its year to date performance. In September 2026 occupancy was 38.2% and the ADR was $226. September is the seasonal low, so this month understates the market.
On a longer view the picture improves. The 2026 year to date occupancy of 56.9% is 0.8 points above the full-year 2025 figure of 56.1%, and the year to date ADR of $279 is $19 above the full-year 2025 ADR of $260.
The pattern is a rate-led market with strong winter demand and a pronounced late summer and fall lull. Revenue growth of 8.1% year over year supports the case for operators who can manage the seasonal low. Top operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cape Coral, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Coral, Florida
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