Cleveland, Georgia Short-Term Rental Market
White County caps licenses at 650 as North Georgia Mountains STRs earn $297 ADR, 45.7% occupancy, $3,745 in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Cleveland, Georgia is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the North GA Mtns market area is 46%. average monthly revenue in the North GA Mtns market area is $3,745. average daily rate in the North GA Mtns market area is $297. the top operator in the North GA Mtns market area is Evolve with 470 listings. market score is 88/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the North GA Mtns regional market, which includes Cleveland. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cleveland.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Cleveland is the White County seat, about 75 miles northeast of Atlanta and just south of Helen, with a population of 3,622. Performance figures on this page describe the North Georgia Mountains STR market, a region that includes Cleveland and Helen, rather than Cleveland alone. As of September 2026 the North Georgia Mountains STR market averaged an ADR of $297, occupancy of 45.7% and revenue of $3,745 per listing for the month. Entire place rentals averaged an ADR of $298, essentially level with the all listings figure.
Compared with a year earlier, September 2026 occupancy is up 15.0%, ADR is up 2.5% and revenue is up 16.1%. Most of the revenue gain therefore came from more booked nights rather than higher rates. Over the longer run, annual occupancy peaked at 61.7% in 2020 and 61.0% in 2021, then settled between 46.5% and 50.7% from 2022 through 2025. The 2026 reading through September is 43.9% occupancy at an ADR of $286, with average monthly revenue of $3,576. ADR has climbed from $211 in 2019 to $284 in 2025, so rates have carried the market while demand normalized.
Demand draws on drive market leisure travelers from Atlanta and beyond. Babyland General Hospital, the Cabbage Patch Kids attraction, reports roughly 250,000 visitors annually. Mount Yonah, the Unicoi Wine Trail wineries, the North Georgia Zoo, more than 20 waterfalls and three state parks add outdoor and wine getaway demand, and Helen sits close by for weekend overflow.
Lead time averages 54 days and the average stay is 3.3 nights, which points to planned weekend and short getaway trips. Bedroom, channel and listing type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cleveland, so this profile omits them. Investors should also note that most of the inventory searched under the Cleveland name lies in unincorporated White County, where a license cap applies.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 33% |
| Feb | 39% |
| Mar | 48% |
| Apr | 44% |
| May | 45% |
| Jun | 57% |
| Jul | 63% |
| Aug | 47% |
| Sep | 47% |
| Oct | 61% |
| Nov | 55% |
| Dec | 51% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Cleveland are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in North GA Mtns market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the North GA Mtns market as a whole, which includes Cleveland, so these counts are not Cleveland-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 470 | 28,108 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 457 | 32,402 | ★ 4.58 |
| 3 | Escape To Blue Ridge | 371 | 4,391 | ★ 4.78 |
| 4 | Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals | 292 | 5,288 | ★ 4.71 |
| 5 | Georgia CFY | 187 | 4,592 | ★ 4.57 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cleveland?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Cleveland 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 | 20.2% |
| vrbo | 9% |
| both | 70.8% |
Home Value Trends (Cleveland)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Cleveland 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 Cleveland — 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 Cleveland, but they are regulated, and enforcement severity is rated moderate. Rules differ depending on whether a property is inside the city or in unincorporated White County, so confirm the location first.
Inside the City of Cleveland, the City Council adopted an STR ordinance and a zoning amendment on March 14, 2022 (Code of Ordinances Ch. 12, Art. VI). Short term rentals are expressly allowed in residential districts, subject to city permit or approval and life safety codes. Operators also need an annual occupational tax certificate. The permit renews annually, and the permit fee is not published online.
In unincorporated White County, a Short Term Rental Host License is required. The program took effect January 31, 2024 and sets a countywide cap of 650 active licenses. Licenses expire December 31 each year, require proof of commercial or STR insurance and need a 24/7 local responsible party who answers complaints within 2 hours. Planning staff verify eligibility, and some subdivisions are excluded under the county STR subdivision map. Licenses are non transferable, and a new owner has 60 days to reapply. The same change removed the public hearing step, so planning staff now approve applications administratively.
An 8% lodging tax applies to accommodations. No owner occupancy or primary residence requirement was found. Verify current rules with the City of Cleveland or White County before buying.
Market Comparison
The North Georgia Mountains STR market ran at 45.7% occupancy and a $297 ADR in September 2026. Luxury listings at $460 and professionally managed listings at $326 sit well above the all listings rate.
The peak months run well above the September level. July at 63.1% and October at 61.4% lead the year, while January at 33.0% falls well short. Occupancy is also rising: it is up 15.0% from a year earlier, against ADR growth of 2.5%, so the market is recovering through volume rather than rate.
The pricing premium reflects mountain cabin and getaway demand near Helen, Babyland General Hospital and the area’s waterfalls and wineries. Investors should weigh the higher rate against lower average occupancy and the licensing limits in unincorporated White County. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Cleveland, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleveland, Georgia
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What is the lodging tax on short term rentals in Cleveland, GA?
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