Panama City Beach, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Panama City Beach short-term rentals averaged $287 ADR, 55.6% occupancy and $4,425 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Panama City Beach, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Panama City market area is 56%. average monthly revenue in the Panama City market area is $4,425. average daily rate in the Panama City market area is $287. the top operator in the Panama City market area is Vacasa with 1,336 listings. market score is 61/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Panama City regional market, which includes Panama City Beach. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Panama City Beach.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This analysis covers the Panama City Beach area STR market using data through September 2026. In that month the average listing earned an ADR of $287 at 55.6% occupancy, producing average monthly revenue of $4,425. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 19.9%, ADR is up 7.9%, and revenue is up 17.8%. Year to date, 2026 is running at 62.1% occupancy and a $304 ADR, with average monthly revenue of $5,279 across nine months, ahead of the $4,323 recorded for all of 2025.
The market is large. Tracking shows 18,713 active listings, and 18,570 of them, or 99.2%, are entire places. Only 139 are private rooms and 4 are shared rooms. By bedroom count, 2-bedroom units are the largest group at 6,940 listings, followed by 1-bedroom units at 5,390, 3-bedroom units at 4,365, 4-bedroom units at 1,242, and 5-bedroom units at 746. On distribution, 12,846 listings appear on both Airbnb and Vrbo, 3,053 are Vrbo only, and 2,814 are Airbnb only. Listing on both platforms is the norm here.
Demand is anchored by the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. The city profile cites about 4.5 million visitors per year to 27 miles of white sand beaches, in a city with a resident population of 18,971. Pier Park, Gulf World Marine Park, St. Andrews State Park and the Publix Sports Park add reasons to visit beyond beach weeks. The sports park is reported to have generated $266 million in direct spending and 450,000 room nights from more than 210 events.
The StaySTRA market score for the area is 61.4 overall, with investability at 87.5, rental demand at 77.3, and revenue growth at 74.3. Seasonality scores only 42.8, a reminder that income is concentrated in the summer months.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 38% |
| Feb | 62% |
| Mar | 67% |
| Apr | 51% |
| May | 64% |
| Jun | 82% |
| Jul | 81% |
| Aug | 53% |
| Sep | 52% |
| Oct | 50% |
| Nov | 33% |
| Dec | 35% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Panama City Beach are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Panama City market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Panama City market as a whole, which includes Panama City Beach, so these counts are not Panama City Beach-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 1,336 | 40,035 | ★ 4.32 |
| 2 | Panhandle Getaways | 857 | 9,658 | ★ 4.48 |
| 3 | RealJoy | 683 | 23,579 | ★ 4.48 |
| 4 | Southern Vacation Rentals by Vtrips | 594 | 6,292 | ★ 4.24 |
| 5 | Emerald Coast Destinations | 427 | 22,602 | ★ 4.29 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Panama City Beach?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Panama City Beach 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 | 15% |
| vrbo | 16.3% |
| both | 68.6% |
Home Value Trends (Panama City Beach)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Panama City Beach 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 Panama City Beach — 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 Panama City Beach, and enforcement is rated strict. Operators need four separate approvals: a City Vacation Rental Certificate under Ordinance 1632, a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License, Bay County Tourist Development Council registration, and a Local Business Tax Receipt. The certificate renews annually.
The city certificate costs $250 for new registrations and $150 for annual renewals, plus a $75 fire safety inspection fee. A life safety inspection must be passed before the certificate is issued. Occupancy is capped at one person per 150 square feet of habitable space, with balconies, patios and garages excluded. The certificate number must appear in all listings and advertisements.
Penalties for operating without a certificate are $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $1,000 plus one-year revocation of the certificate for a third or later violation.
Zoning matters. STRs are permitted in High, Medium and Low Intensity Commercial districts, in the Limited and Unlimited higher-density residential districts, and in Townhouse districts. Detached-home residential zones within city limits face restrictions or outright prohibition. Properties outside city limits fall under Bay County rules instead of the city ordinance.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and Florida Statute 509.032(7)(b) prevents local governments from capping nights or regulating stay length. Guest-facing taxes total 11%: 6% state sales tax plus 5% Bay County Tourist Development Tax. Ordinance 1632 passed on September 28, 2023 and took effect February 1, 2024. A 2024 statewide bill to standardize STR rules was vetoed. Confirm current rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
Panama City Beach is a rate-led market in September 2026, with a $287 ADR at 55.6% occupancy. Luxury listings at $376 are far higher still.
The seasonal profile separates this market from a typical year-round destination. June and July occupancy near 82% is far above the winter months, while November through January sits between 33.3% and 38.0%. Investors should treat the annual figures as a blend of strong and weak periods.
The operator landscape is concentrated at the top. The leading property managers in the Panama City Beach area STR market are Vacasa with 1,336 listings (4.3 rating), Panhandle Getaways with 857 (4.5), RealJoy with 683 (4.5), Southern Vacation Rentals by Vtrips with 594 (4.2), and Emerald Coast Destinations with 427 (4.3). Together these five manage 3,897 listings, about 20.8% of the 18,713 tracked. For owners, that means several established management options exist, and it also means competition for guest attention is intense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panama City Beach, Florida
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