Chesapeake City, Maryland Short-Term Rental Market
Chesapeake City area STRs averaged $150/night at 60.9% occupancy in April 2026, one of the most consistent seasonal profiles in the mid-Atlantic.
Quick Answer: Chesapeake City, Maryland is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 61%. average monthly revenue is $2,489. average daily rate is $150. the top operator is Luxora with 233 listings. market score is 92/100 (grade A).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Chesapeake City market area covers Cecil County, Maryland, centered on Elkton, the county seat, with the small canal-side town of Chesapeake City as a key visitor draw. The area sits at the head of the Chesapeake Bay roughly midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore, drawing outdoor recreation visitors to Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area (5,613 acres), Elk Neck State Park, and the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal corridor. Drive-market visitors from the Philadelphia-Baltimore corridor make up the primary demand base. The area’s population is approximately 15,968.
The market posted a $150.00 average daily rate and 60.9% occupancy in April 2026, generating $91.38 in RevPAR. Year-over-year, occupancy declined 2.6%, ADR rose 1.9%, and revenue increased 2.7%. The 12,382 total listing records break down by bedroom size: 1-bedroom (7,047), 2-bedroom (2,697), 3-bedroom (1,546), 4-bedroom (713), and 5-bedroom or larger (360), with 1-bedroom units comprising a notably large 56.9% of supply. By listing type, entire-place units account for 8,868 (71.6%), with private rooms at 3,489 and shared rooms at 25. Channel data shows 8,118 Airbnb-only listings, 3,721 on both platforms, and 543 VRBO-only. Market scores are exceptionally strong: total score 92.1, revenue growth 95.7, and seasonality 94.9 out of 100.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48% | $104 | $1,523 |
| Feb | 56% | $106 | $1,522 |
| Mar | 59% | $112 | $1,811 |
| Apr | 61% | $121 | $1,967 |
| May | 62% | $130 | $2,157 |
| Jun | 65% | $131 | $2,311 |
| Jul | 65% | $123 | $2,238 |
| Aug | 64% | $124 | $2,210 |
| Sep | 62% | $122 | $2,040 |
| Oct | 62% | $124 | $2,169 |
| Nov | 58% | $125 | $2,004 |
| Dec | 53% | $124 | $1,884 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Chesapeake City
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxora | 233 | 9,906 | ★ 4.51 |
| 2 | PowerHouse | 191 | 634 | ★ 2.70 |
| 3 | Sosuite | 153 | 10,525 | ★ 4.28 |
| 4 | Dillman LLC | 148 | 960 | ★ 4.15 |
| 5 | Properties By Preston | 120 | 401 | ★ 4.09 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Chesapeake City?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 7,047 |
| 2 bed | 2,697 |
| 3 bed | 1,546 |
| 4 bed | 713 |
| 5 bed | 360 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $181 |
| Luxury | $274 |
| Professionally Managed | $169 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,424 |
| Entire Place | $2,988 |
| House | $2,573 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 65.6% |
| vrbo | 4.4% |
| both | 30.1% |
Investment Analysis
Chesapeake City area offers an accessible entry point by ADR standards with one of the stronger occupancy rates in the mid-Atlantic. The April 2026 ADR was $150.00, while entire-home listings averaged $180.72 and professionally managed properties averaged $169.18, a 12.8% premium over the market average. Luxury-tier listings averaged $274.46 per night, a $124 premium above the market average. Entire-place listings generated $2,988 per month in average revenue, while houses averaged $2,573 and apartments averaged $2,424.
The Zillow typical home value for this area was $408,658 as of April 2026, with for-sale inventory of just 8 units, signaling a very tight resale market. At April 2026 average monthly revenue of $2,489, annualized revenue is approximately $29,874, implying a gross yield of approximately 7.3% relative to typical home value. The 2025 full-year annual average revenue was $2,455 per month, with consistent growth from $1,475 in 2017 through $2,455 in 2025. Revenue growth market score of 95.7 and total score of 92.1 are among the highest observable, signaling a market with strong and durable upward trends.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Chesapeake City area guests book an average of 32.8 days in advance, the shortest lead time in this batch of markets. This near-term booking pattern reflects a drive-market profile where guests are not planning far-in-advance destination trips but rather deciding relatively quickly to fill a weekend or mid-week break. Operators should maintain flexible, competitively priced rates throughout the booking window rather than holding firm prices in hope of early bookings.
Average length of stay is 4.4 nights. This is a mid-stay profile consistent with the 1-bedroom unit concentration (7,047 of 12,382 listings) and the urban drive-market demand base. A 4.4-night average provides moderate turnover frequency: manageable cleaning costs without the high turnover burden of two-night-dominant markets. The combination of short lead time and mid-length stays suggests pricing should be responsive and regularly adjusted, with last-minute deals deployed 7-to-10 days out to fill gaps.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
This market area operates under a two-tier regulatory structure: state rules apply across Maryland, while the Town of Elkton has enacted its own STR ordinance for incorporated areas. Cecil County has no documented dedicated STR ordinance for unincorporated areas.
At the state level, all Maryland STR operators must register with the Maryland Comptroller to collect and remit a 6% state sales and use tax on bookings of 88 nights or fewer. Platforms including Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit this tax automatically. The Cecil County hotel rental tax is authorized at up to 3%, but appears not to be actively collected county-wide. The area profile indicates a 6% occupancy tax rate applicable to this market.
Within the Town of Elkton, a September 2019 ordinance allows STRs in multiple residential zones (single-family, residential, multiple dwelling, medium density, and planned unit residential) through a special-exception permit approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. STRs are classified alongside bed-and-breakfasts. No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement exists. Permit renewal is annual. The specific permit application fee is not published and must be confirmed directly with the town. Enforcement is rated minimal. The April 2026 Wiener Act (HB 1221/SB 624) now requires fire detection equipment in all Maryland STR units; Cecil County must enact annual inspection requirements by July 1, 2028.
Market Comparison
The Chesapeake City area’s 60.9% occupancy in April 2026 is materially above the US STR median of approximately 55%, a standout figure. Its $150.00 ADR is well below the US STR median of approximately $220, reflecting the market’s positioning as a lower-price, high-occupancy alternative to premium coastal destinations. RevPAR of $91.38 is below the national median in dollar terms but supported by occupancy that punches above national averages. The total market score of 92.1 out of 100 and revenue growth score of 95.7 are exceptional by any benchmark.
The professional management landscape reflects the market’s urban-adjacent, multi-listing character. Luxora leads with 233 listings and 9,906 reviews (4.51 average rating). PowerHouse follows with 191 listings and 634 reviews, but carries a notably low 2.70 average rating. Sosuite holds 153 listings with 10,525 reviews and a 4.28 rating. Dillman LLC manages 148 listings with 960 reviews (4.15 rating), and Properties By Preston rounds out the top five with 120 listings and 401 reviews (4.09 rating). The top five operators collectively manage 845 listings, representing approximately 6.8% of the 12,382 total listing records, leaving substantial room for independent hosts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chesapeake City, Maryland
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Are STRs permitted in the Town of Elkton and Cecil County, MD?
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