Ann Arbor, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Ann Arbor STRs averaged $195/night at 62.7% occupancy in April 2026, with September football season driving $3,654 peak monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Ann Arbor, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Ann Arbor market area is 67%. average monthly revenue in the Ann Arbor market area is $3,568. average daily rate in the Ann Arbor market area is $211. the top operator in the Ann Arbor market area is Goldilocks with 32 listings. market score is 57/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the wider Ann Arbor market, which covers 2 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Ann Arbor.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan is home to the University of Michigan and Michigan Stadium — the largest college football stadium in North America at 107,601 capacity — creating a uniquely event-driven STR market. Washtenaw County logged 3.9 million visitors in the most recent full-year count, with U-M football alone generating 100,496 out-of-county hotel room nights in 2024.
As of April 2026, the market posted a $195 average daily rate, 62.7% occupancy, and $122.25 RevPAR. Revenue averaged $2,690/month. Occupancy is up 7.13% year-over-year while ADR is effectively flat (+0.06%), resulting in revenue down 3.13% — suggesting more listings competing for similar demand. The market scored 56.75 overall, with rental demand (72.00) and regulation (71.75) as the top dimensions.
The Ann Arbor STR market is relatively small at approximately 1,284 active listings: 1,042 entire-place units (81%), 240 private rooms, and 2 shared rooms. This small supply base reflects the city’s restrictive zoning: non-owner-occupied whole-home STRs are banned from all residential zones since 2021. Channel distribution is heavily Airbnb-dominated: 823 Airbnb-only versus 54 VRBO-only, with 407 on both platforms.
Bedroom supply is weighted toward smaller units: 1-bedroom (483 listings), 2-bedroom (309), 3-bedroom (262), 4-bedroom (143), and 5-bedroom (80).
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 49% |
| Feb | 57% |
| Mar | 61% |
| Apr | 61% |
| May | 51% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 69% |
| Aug | 73% |
| Sep | 60% |
| Oct | 55% |
| Nov | 50% |
| Dec | 45% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Ann Arbor are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Ann Arbor market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Ann Arbor market as a whole, which includes Ann Arbor, so these counts are not Ann Arbor-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goldilocks | 32 | 3,553 | ★ 4.81 |
| 2 | 4M Team | 27 | 6,060 | ★ 4.78 |
| 3 | StayArbor | 22 | 730 | ★ 4.64 |
| 4 | LiveSuites | 16 | 831 | ★ 4.78 |
| 5 | Evolve | 10 | 233 | ★ 4.66 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Ann Arbor?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Ann Arbor 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 | 64.1% |
| vrbo | 4.2% |
| both | 31.7% |
Home Value Trends (Ann Arbor)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor — 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
Ann Arbor runs one of Michigan’s most detailed STR licensing regimes. Every STR requires an annual license ($500/year per unit, non-refundable even if denied) applied through the city’s STREAM portal with up to 21 business days for review.
The ordinance distinguishes three permitted types: (1) Homestays — renting rooms while the owner lives on-site, allowed in residential and mixed-use zones; (2) Owner-occupied whole-home rentals — renting your primary home while temporarily away, allowed in residential and mixed-use zones; (3) Investor/non-principal-residence rentals — permitted only in commercial and mixed-use zones, explicitly banned from all residential zones since March 1, 2021. ADUs may not be licensed as STRs under any circumstances.
Applications require proof of principal residency, floor and site plans, parking documentation, certificate of occupancy, a current fire inspection, and proof of at least $1 million in liability insurance. All listings must display the city license number and maximum occupancy. Third-party companies cannot hold or apply for licenses — only individual property owners may.
Tax obligations: 5% city accommodations tax (paid monthly to Ann Arbor) plus Michigan’s 6% state use tax on stays under 30 days. Airbnb auto-collects state use tax; other platforms require self-remittance. A January 2026 Green Rental Housing Ordinance now requires all rental units including STRs to meet minimum energy efficiency standards at inspection. Enforcement is rated strict.
Market Comparison
Nationally, STR markets average approximately 55% occupancy and $220 ADR. Ann Arbor’s 62.7% April occupancy exceeds the national median, but ADR at $195 is below average, reflecting both the small-unit mix and the supply of owner-occupied rooms and homestays at modest price points.
The market’s total score of 56.75 and its regulation score of 71.75 reflect a moderate overall profile constrained by strict zoning. Rental demand at 72.00 confirms strong guest appetite for the available inventory.
Goldilocks leads operator market share with 32 listings and 3,553 reviews at a 4.81 average rating. 4M Team manages 27 listings with 6,060 reviews at a 4.78 rating — notably more reviews per listing, suggesting high-volume, high-frequency operations. StayArbor holds 22 listings (4.64 rating, 730 reviews). Together the top 3 operators account for 81 listings, roughly 6% of estimated active supply. The highly fragmented market is dominated by individual owner-operators, consistent with the licensing requirement that only owners (not third-party companies) may hold licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ann Arbor, Michigan
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