Manistee, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Manistee, MI STRs averaged $282/night at 40.0% occupancy in April 2026, with July reaching 77.4% occupancy and $7,518 average monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Manistee, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 40%. average monthly revenue is $2,614. average daily rate is $282. the top operator is Jaqua Realtors with 251 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Manistee, MI is a Lake Michigan coastal market in northwest Michigan, drawing visitors to 25 miles of sandy shoreline, the Manistee North Pier Lighthouse, Manistee Riverwalk, and the broader Sleeping Bear Dunes region. The STR market carries 7,895 entire-place listings and 289 private-room listings, a strongly whole-property market. Bedroom distribution: 1,478 one-bedroom, 1,913 two-bedroom, 2,161 three-bedroom, 1,436 four-bedroom, and 1,190 five-bedroom units, with three-bedroom properties being the most common.
In April 2026, the market posted a $281.55 average daily rate, 40.0% occupancy, and $2,614 average monthly revenue per listing. RevPAR was $112.49. Year-over-year, occupancy improved 3.69 percentage points, ADR jumped 7.64%, and revenue gained 1.91%, reflecting a market where rate growth is running ahead of occupancy recovery. Channel distribution: 2,325 Airbnb-only listings, 1,239 VRBO-only, and 4,620 on both platforms. The market’s total investment score is 77.34 out of 100, with an investability score of 94.68 and a revenue growth score of 94.44, both among the highest in the dataset.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30% | $260 | $2,212 |
| Feb | 36% | $252 | $2,182 |
| Mar | 41% | $250 | $2,481 |
| Apr | 40% | $266 | $2,450 |
| May | 49% | $310 | $2,986 |
| Jun | 63% | $380 | $5,339 |
| Jul | 77% | $389 | $7,518 |
| Aug | 69% | $388 | $6,901 |
| Sep | 42% | $340 | $3,858 |
| Oct | 38% | $293 | $3,175 |
| Nov | 30% | $278 | $2,458 |
| Dec | 35% | $279 | $2,443 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Manistee
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaqua Realtors | 251 | 4,872 | ★ 4.74 |
| 2 | Evolve | 181 | 8,033 | ★ 4.66 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 146 | 6,781 | ★ 4.54 |
| 4 | Unsalted Vacations | 128 | 2,711 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Bluefish Vacation Rentals | 112 | 2,875 | ★ 4.75 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Manistee?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,478 |
| 2 bed | 1,913 |
| 3 bed | 2,161 |
| 4 bed | 1,436 |
| 5 bed | 1,190 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $284 |
| Luxury | $568 |
| Professionally Managed | $352 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,909 |
| Entire Place | $2,642 |
| House | $2,842 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 28.4% |
| vrbo | 15.1% |
| both | 56.5% |
Investment Analysis
Manistee’s investment profile benefits from an attractive combination of affordable entry costs and strong seasonal revenue potential. The typical home value is $262,670, with active listings median-priced at $274,167 and 55 properties currently for sale.
At April 2026’s average revenue of $2,614 per month, projecting 12 months at that rate yields approximately $31,362 annually, a gross return of roughly 11.9% on a median-valued asset. Given that peak months (July at $7,518, August at $6,901) far outpace the April baseline, actual annual revenue for a well-managed property typically runs higher than the April monthly rate suggests. Professional management commands a significant ADR premium: $351.55 versus the market average of $281.55, a 25% lift. Luxury-tier properties average $567.99 per night, more than double the market average, signaling strong ceiling potential for premium lakefront assets. Houses specifically average $2,842 per month versus $2,642 for entire-place listings broadly and $1,909 for apartments. The revenue growth score of 94.44 and investability score of 94.68 support a favorable multi-year outlook.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
Run a Free Address Analysis
Skip the market averages. Get revenue projections, comp analysis, and ROI for your specific property address. Free, instant, no signup required.
Analyze My Property →Home Value Trends (Manistee)
Booking Insights
Manistee guests book approximately 50.3 days in advance, the longest average lead time in this batch, and stays average 3.21 nights. The 50-day lead window reflects the planning behavior of Lake Michigan summer vacationers booking beach weeks well ahead of peak season. Operators have a meaningful pricing window: rates can be set firmly 7 to 8 weeks out, with adjustments as the window compresses into the 2- to 3-week range. The 3.21-night average stay suggests a mix of extended weekend (3-night) and short-week (4-5 night) trips. Properties that can accommodate flexible check-in and checkout days tend to capture more of the summer demand without leaving gap nights unfilled between 7-night bookings.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Manistee adopted its first formal STR ordinance (Chapter 868, Ordinance 25-02) in July 2025 by a 6-1 council vote. All STRs must register with the city before operating. The annual registration fee is $100 per unit. A safety inspection is required at initial registration and every three years at a cost of $150 per inspection. A citywide cap of 165 registered STRs applies outside designated overlay districts; the downtown Manistee and Lake Michigan beach overlay areas are exempt from this cap. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement.
Operators must maintain liability insurance, designate a local contact reachable within 24 hours, and test smoke detectors every 90 days. The lodging tax burden is 11%: Michigan’s 6% state use tax plus a 5% Manistee County accommodations excise tax, remitted monthly by the 20th of the following month. Enforcement is complaint-based with a 24-hour violation hotline; three violations within two years can result in registration suspension or revocation. Prior to July 2025 there was no registration requirement or cap. New investors should verify current cap availability with the city before closing, as the 165-unit cap outside overlays may limit new registrations in established residential zones.
Market Comparison
At 40.0% occupancy in April 2026, Manistee is below the US STR median annual occupancy of approximately 55%, which is expected for a lake market in its shoulder season. The July peak of 77.4% substantially outpaces the US median, reflecting concentrated summer demand. The April 2026 ADR of $281.55 is above the US STR median of approximately $220, consistent with a premium lake destination in the Great Lakes region.
The market is served by a mix of regional specialists and national platforms. Jaqua Realtors leads with 251 listings and 4,872 reviews at a 4.735 rating, a strong regional operator. Evolve follows with 181 listings and 8,033 reviews at a 4.663 rating. Vacasa holds 146 listings with 6,781 reviews at a 4.535 rating. The top three operators account for 578 listings. Unsalted Vacations (128 listings, 4.748 rating) and Bluefish Vacation Rentals (112 listings, 4.745 rating) are notable regional specialists with competitive ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Manistee, Michigan
What is the average daily rate for STRs in Manistee, MI?
What is the peak season for short-term rentals in Manistee, MI?
Do I need a permit to operate a short-term rental in Manistee, MI?
What is the typical home value in Manistee, MI?
What gross yield can I expect from an STR in Manistee, MI?
How far in advance do guests book STRs in Manistee, MI?
Who are the top property managers in Manistee, MI?
Analyze Manistee Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Manistee.
Free Manistee STR Calculator →
