Ludington, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Ludington caps STR licenses at 30, while West Michigan Lakeshore ADR hit $443, occupancy 44.0%, revenue $5,319 in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Ludington, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Michigan West Coastal market area is 44%. average monthly revenue in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $5,319. average daily rate in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $443. the top operator in the Michigan West Coastal market area is Jaqua Realtors with 261 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Michigan West Coastal regional market, which includes Ludington. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Ludington.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Ludington’s short-term rental performance is tracked at the West Michigan Lakeshore level, a shared regional series that also covers other towns along the Lake Michigan shore. Every performance figure on this page describes the West Michigan Lakeshore STR market rather than Ludington alone. As of September 2026, the average daily rate was $443, occupancy was 44.0%, and average monthly revenue per listing was $5,319. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 9.4%, ADR rose 10.5%, and revenue rose 17.2%. The seasonal sum of monthly revenue comes to $45,143 a year, with July the strongest month at $7,886.
The multiyear record shows a recovery. Annual occupancy peaked at 52.6% in 2020 and 2021, slid to 44.8% in 2024, then rose to 46.1% in 2025 and 50.2% across the first nine months of 2026. ADR climbed from $272 in 2017 to $345 in 2025 and $383 so far in 2026. Average monthly revenue moved from $2,650 in 2017 to $4,450 in 2025 and $5,299 in 2026 to date.
Revenue differs by property type. Houses averaged $5,772 per month in September, entire places $5,396, and apartments $3,689. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts, along with the top operators, are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Ludington, so this profile omits them.
Ludington itself has about 7,676 residents and draws roughly 1.1 million non-commuter visitors each summer, according to a Michigan State University Center for Economic Analysis study. Ludington State Park, Big Sable Point Lighthouse, and the S.S. Badger car ferry to Manitowoc, Wisconsin anchor demand, and visits concentrate between May and September. The key constraint for investors is regulation: the city caps STR licenses at 30, and it reported none available as of mid-2022.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 30% |
| Feb | 36% |
| Mar | 41% |
| Apr | 40% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 63% |
| Jul | 78% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 42% |
| Oct | 38% |
| Nov | 30% |
| Dec | 35% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Ludington are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Michigan West Coastal market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Michigan West Coastal market as a whole, which includes Ludington, so these counts are not Ludington-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaqua Realtors | 261 | 5,161 | ★ 4.72 |
| 2 | Evolve | 182 | 8,064 | ★ 4.66 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 175 | 7,412 | ★ 4.57 |
| 4 | Unsalted Vacations | 129 | 2,715 | ★ 4.73 |
| 5 | Bluefish Vacation Rentals | 112 | 2,880 | ★ 4.75 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Ludington?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Ludington 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 | 28.4% |
| vrbo | 15.4% |
| both | 56.2% |
Home Value Trends (Ludington)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Ludington 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 Ludington — 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
Ludington restricts short-term rentals tightly. Short-term rentals are permitted, but they require a city STR license under Ordinance No. 429-20, passed in 2020. The program is capped at 30 licenses citywide, with no more than 2 per city block. When openings exist, licenses are allocated by random lottery, and unsuccessful applicants go on a waiting list. As of mid-2022 the cap had been reached and no licenses were available, so a buyer generally has to wait for attrition.
Reported costs are about a $500 non-refundable application fee plus a $1,500 license fee, roughly $2,000 initially. Licenses run for a three-year term, with a $1,500 renewal every three years. There is no owner-occupancy requirement and no primary-residence requirement, so non-resident investors may hold licenses. STRs are generally allowed in residential and commercial zones subject to the per-block density cap, and zoning verification goes through the city Planning and Zoning office.
On taxes, Michigan levies a 6% state use tax on stays under 30 days. A local accommodations assessment of roughly 5% may also apply, which would put the effective lodging tax near 11%.
Enforcement is rated strict. Operating without a license can draw fines of up to $500 per day, and violations can lead to suspension or revocation. The city has amended its STR rules since 2020, including through Ordinance 523-23. Verify current license availability, waiting-list status, fees, and the tax rate with the City of Ludington Planning and Zoning office at 231-843-2956 before buying.
Market Comparison
The West Michigan Lakeshore STR market shows a high-rate, moderate-occupancy profile. September 2026 occupancy was 44.0%, and the year-to-date 2026 average is 50.2%. ADR was $443 in September, and the lowest seasonal ADR was $249 in March.
This pairing, high rates with moderate occupancy, is typical of a seasonal lakeshore destination. Peak months reach July at 77.7%, August at 68.4%, and June at 63.5%, while winter months fall well below those levels. Annual revenue per listing of $45,143 reflects strong rates earned over a short high season.
Operator information for Ludington is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for the city, so this profile omits the top operator names. Likewise, bedroom and channel counts are omitted.
For an investor, the data shows that rate strength can support returns, but the 30-license cap in Ludington and the seasonal swing are the main factors to weigh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ludington, Michigan
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