Melbourne, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Melbourne's Space Coast STR market posted $183 ADR, 50.5% occupancy and $2,638 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Melbourne, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is 50%. average monthly revenue in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is $2,638. average daily rate in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is $183. the top operator in the Melbourne/Titusville market area is Happy Palm Stays with 408 listings. market score is 62/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Melbourne/Titusville regional market, which includes Melbourne. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Melbourne.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Melbourne sits on Florida’s Space Coast along the Indian River Lagoon, about an hour from Orlando and roughly 30 minutes from Kennedy Space Center, and has a population of 86,576. Short-term rental performance here is measured at a shared regional level, and the same series covers Melbourne, Melbourne Beach and other communities in Brevard County. Every performance number on this page therefore describes the Space Coast STR market rather than Melbourne alone. In September 2026 the Space Coast STR market averaged a daily rate of $183 at 50.5% occupancy, producing average monthly revenue of $2,638 per listing. Entire place listings earned an ADR of $193, above the all-listings figure. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 9.8%, ADR is up 5.1% and revenue is up 10.8%, so the gain came from both more booked nights and higher rates. September is the seasonal low point for the region, which means the current month understates what a full year looks like. The 2026 year to date average across nine months is 65.0% occupancy, a $226 ADR and $4,032 in monthly revenue, compared with 62.2%, $213 and $3,707 for all of 2025. Bedroom, channel and listing type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Melbourne, so this profile omits them. Demand is supported by 72 miles of Atlantic beaches, rocket launch viewing, boating and fishing on the lagoon, Brevard Zoo, and business travel tied to the aerospace industry. Brevard County reported about $4.6 billion in tourism economic impact in 2023 and nearly 3 million overnight room nights across hotels and vacation rentals. A city specific visitor count is not published, since figures are reported countywide.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 65% |
| Feb | 81% |
| Mar | 81% |
| Apr | 63% |
| May | 61% |
| Jun | 71% |
| Jul | 72% |
| Aug | 56% |
| Sep | 50% |
| Oct | 56% |
| Nov | 57% |
| Dec | 59% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Melbourne are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Melbourne/Titusville market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Melbourne/Titusville market as a whole, which includes Melbourne, so these counts are not Melbourne-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Palm Stays | 408 | 13,709 | ★ 4.82 |
| 2 | Beachside Vacation Rentals | 284 | 8,885 | ★ 4.70 |
| 3 | Evolve | 111 | 5,255 | ★ 4.69 |
| 4 | Beachside VR | 65 | 1,862 | ★ 4.49 |
| 5 | Vacasa | 63 | 1,562 | ★ 4.32 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Melbourne?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Melbourne 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 | 34.6% |
| vrbo | 11.1% |
| both | 54.3% |
Home Value Trends (Melbourne)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Melbourne 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 Melbourne — 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
The City of Melbourne in Brevard County has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance. Short-term rentals are permitted in the sense that they are neither expressly allowed nor prohibited, and the city has no STR-specific zoning ordinance, permit, registration, owner occupancy requirement, primary residence requirement or annual night cap. Enforcement severity is rated minimal. General requirements still apply. The permit type on record is a City of Melbourne Business Tax Receipt, which may apply to a rental business, and Florida requires a state DBPR vacation rental license for whole unit transient rentals. Florida sales tax of 6% and Brevard County’s 5% Tourist Development Tax apply to stays of six months or less. Under a July 22, 2025 county ordinance, the Brevard County Clerk of Court, not the Tax Collector, has administered Tourist Development Tax collection since October 1, 2025. Do not assume neighboring jurisdictions work the same way. Melbourne Beach restricts vacation rentals by zoning and requires Town registration under Chapter 74 (Ordinance 2024-05), and West Melbourne prohibits rentals shorter than one week in all residential zoning districts. The rules described here apply to the City of Melbourne only. County level rules continue to evolve, so confirm current status with the City of Melbourne Planning Department before buying.
Market Comparison
In September 2026 the Space Coast STR market ran at 50.5% occupancy and a $183 ADR. September is the seasonal low, so the current month is not the full story. The 2026 year to date figures are 65.0% occupancy and a $226 ADR. February and March, at 80.5% and 81.2% occupancy, are the strongest months, while September through November fall between 49.5% and 56.7%. Luxury listings reach $335 per night. Revenue growth is another point of contrast: monthly revenue is up 10.8% year over year, driven by a 9.8% increase in occupancy and a 5.1% increase in ADR. Top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Melbourne, so this profile omits them. Investors should weigh the strong winter and early summer performance against the soft late summer and fall months, and the light regulation inside the City of Melbourne against stricter rules in some neighboring towns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melbourne, Florida
What is the average Airbnb daily rate in Melbourne, FL?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Melbourne, FL?
How much do Melbourne, FL short-term rentals earn per month?
When is the best time of year for Melbourne, FL short-term rentals?
Are short-term rentals legal in Melbourne, FL?
How much does a home cost in Melbourne, FL?
How far ahead do guests book in Melbourne, FL?
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