New Buffalo, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
New Buffalo bans new residential STRs; shoreline market hit $443 ADR, 44.0% occupancy, $5,319 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: New Buffalo, 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 251 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Michigan West Coastal regional market, which includes New Buffalo. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to New Buffalo.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers short-term rentals in New Buffalo, Michigan, using data through September 2026. Performance figures reflect the Michigan Lake Michigan shoreline STR market, a shared regional series that also covers Union Pier, Saint Joseph, South Haven, Grand Haven, and Manistee, so treat the numbers as a regional benchmark rather than a New Buffalo only reading. In September 2026 the shoreline market recorded an average daily rate of $443, occupancy of 44.0%, and average monthly revenue of $5,319 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 9.4%, ADR rose 10.5%, and revenue rose 17.2%. Entire-home listings averaged $452 per night and generated $5,396 in the month, while houses generated $5,772 and apartments $3,689. Year to date, 2026 through September shows occupancy of 50.2%, ADR of $383, and monthly revenue of $5,299, compared with 46.2%, $345, and $4,452 for all of 2025. Revenue has risen two years in a row, from $3,970 per month in 2023 to $4,140 in 2024 and $4,452 in 2025. Occupancy in 2026 at 50.2% is still below the 52.6% reached in both 2020 and 2021, so the recent gains come mostly from higher rates rather than more booked nights. Lead time for the month was 87.8 days and average stay length was 3.35 nights. Bedroom, booking channel, and listing-type counts, along with the largest operators, are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for New Buffalo, so this profile omits them. Buyers should weigh the strong rate growth against the city rule that bars new rentals in residential districts, which limits where a new rental can legally operate in New Buffalo.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 30% |
| Feb | 36% |
| Mar | 41% |
| Apr | 40% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 78% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 42% |
| Oct | 38% |
| Nov | 30% |
| Dec | 35% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for New Buffalo 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 New Buffalo, so these counts are not New Buffalo-only figures.
| # | 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 New Buffalo?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for New Buffalo 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 | 15.1% |
| both | 56.5% |
Home Value Trends (New Buffalo)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for New Buffalo 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 New Buffalo — 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
New Buffalo restricts new rentals, so read the rules before buying. Short-term rentals are permitted in the City of New Buffalo, but a 2021 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance No. 253, passed November 23, 2021) prohibits new licensed rentals in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts. New rentals are still allowed in the Central Business, General Commercial, and Waterfront Marina districts with no numeric cap, and existing residential rentals are grandfathered as nonconforming uses. Every rental must be registered and hold a City Short-Term Rental Unit permit. Published fees total about $1,525: a $75 registration fee, a $1,300 city service fee for non-homestead properties, and a $150 inspection fee. The permit renews annually, and units must pass an annual inspection, since failing can lead to a permit being withheld or voided. Each rental needs a designated local agent, a natural person living within 20 miles of the city, and the owner can serve if they live within that distance during the rental. Owners and agents must record each occupant’s name and date of birth, vehicles parked on site, and rental start and end dates. No owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement and no maximum nights cap was found. Michigan levies a 6% state lodging tax on stays under 30 days, typically collected by Airbnb and VRBO. Enforcement is rated strict. New Buffalo Township is a separate jurisdiction with its own license, so confirm which one applies to a property.
Market Comparison
The shoreline market has a distinct shape, with moderate average occupancy and high rates. September 2026 occupancy was 44.0%, and the 2026 year to date occupancy is 50.2%. Rates run high, with a $443 ADR in September and a $383 year to date ADR. That mix means revenue depends on price per night more than on filling the calendar. Peak summer occupancy of 77.8% in July is far above January at 29.7%, so annual averages hide a sharp seasonal split. Monthly revenue of $5,319 reflects those high rates. Growth is also notable, with revenue up 17.2%, ADR up 10.5%, and occupancy up 9.4% year over year. Largest operators in the area are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for New Buffalo, so this profile omits them. Investors should compare any property against these regional figures while remembering that the zoning limits on new rentals narrow the supply of eligible homes.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Buffalo, Michigan
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How much does a New Buffalo short-term rental permit cost?
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How much do rentals earn per year in the New Buffalo area?
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