Cedar Key, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
The Nature Coast STR market earned $2,024 monthly revenue at $161 ADR and 45.4% occupancy in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Cedar Key, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Florida Central Area market area is 45%. average monthly revenue in the Florida Central Area market area is $2,024. average daily rate in the Florida Central Area market area is $161. the top operator in the Florida Central Area market area is Evolve with 358 listings. market score is 60/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Florida Central Area regional market, which includes Cedar Key. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cedar Key.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the Nature Coast STR market of west-central Florida, the region that includes Cedar Key. Short-term rental performance is tracked at this shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cedar Key, so every performance figure below describes the regional market. For the same reason, bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cedar Key, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the Nature Coast STR market posted an average daily rate of $161, occupancy of 45.4%, and average monthly revenue of $2,024 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 6.8%, ADR rose 5.6%, and revenue rose 2.5%. September is the slowest month of a typical year, so these figures sit below the annual pattern. Calendar 2026 through September averages 58.4% occupancy, a $179 ADR, and $2,904 in monthly revenue, against 58.5%, $170, and $2,755 for full year 2025.
Entire homes earn more than the all-listings average. The entire-home ADR is $166, and entire-place listings averaged $2,082 in monthly revenue in September 2026, while houses averaged $2,115 and apartments $1,703.
Cedar Key itself is a small island community in Levy County with a permanent population of 732. Demand comes from nature-focused visitors: birders at the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, kayakers, anglers, and people exploring the historic Dock Street waterfront. The Cedar Key Seafood Festival in October and the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts in March are the two largest annual events. The local economy also relies on clam aquaculture, and Cedar Key produces over 90% of Florida’s farm-raised clams. No official annual visitor count is published for Cedar Key.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 65% |
| Feb | 80% |
| Mar | 78% |
| Apr | 58% |
| May | 53% |
| Jun | 60% |
| Jul | 64% |
| Aug | 51% |
| Sep | 48% |
| Oct | 54% |
| Nov | 58% |
| Dec | 57% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Cedar Key are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Florida Central Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Florida Central Area market as a whole, which includes Cedar Key, so these counts are not Cedar Key-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 358 | 13,225 | ★ 4.74 |
| 2 | A&J Home Concierge | 160 | 633 | ★ 4.74 |
| 3 | McCormick Management Vacation Rental | 106 | 3,510 | ★ 4.84 |
| 4 | Village Valet Property Management, LLC | 102 | 1,251 | ★ 4.68 |
| 5 | Down Home Properties | 87 | 1,128 | ★ 4.69 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cedar Key?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Cedar Key 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 | 37.9% |
| vrbo | 12.1% |
| both | 50% |
Home Value Trends (Cedar Key)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Cedar Key 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 Cedar Key — 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 permitted in Cedar Key. Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) preempts local governments from banning vacation rentals or regulating the duration or frequency of stays, and Cedar Key has no known grandfathered ordinance imposing such limits. Enforcement severity is rated minimal, no maximum number of nights per year applies, and neither owner-occupancy nor primary-residence status is required.
Operators need a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License (Dwelling or Condominium) plus a Cedar Key City Business License and a Local Business Tax Receipt. Initial licensing costs about $230, made up of a $50 application fee, a $10 Hospitality Education Program fee, and a $170 annual license fee for a single unit. The license renews annually.
The combined tax on gross rental receipts is 11%. That is 6% Florida state sales tax, 1% Levy County discretionary sales surtax, and 4% Levy County Tourist Development Tax. The county tax was raised from 2% to 4% effective January 1, 2020. Remittance is due monthly by the 20th of the following month, and Levy County administers the tourist tax directly, so operators register, file, and pay it separately from the state sales tax.
Commercial and mixed-use zones are generally open to STR operation with proper licensing. Properties near the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge may face environmental compliance requirements. Governor DeSantis vetoed SB 280 in June 2024, so the City of Cedar Key keeps room for registration, safety, occupancy, noise, and parking rules. Confirm current local rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
In September 2026 the Nature Coast STR market ran at 45.4% occupancy and a $161 ADR. The average monthly revenue is $2,024.
The annual picture is stronger. Calendar 2026 through September shows 58.4% occupancy and a $179 ADR. February and March occupancy reached 80.4% and 78.4%, while August through October ran between 51.2% and 53.6%.
Professionally managed listings reach an ADR of $180, and luxury listings reach $286.
This is a market where the case for ownership rests on a strong winter and early spring season and a relatively modest entry cost, with a typical home value of $321,454, rather than on a high nightly rate. Top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cedar Key, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Key, Florida
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