Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Sault Sainte Marie STRs averaged $166/night at 33.2% occupancy in April 2026, with summer peaks above 76% and a 99.8 investability score.
Quick Answer: Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 33%. average monthly revenue is $1,424. average daily rate is $166. the top operator is Evolve with 99 listings. market score is 82/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan short-term rental market spans a broad Upper Peninsula region with approximately 4,703 tracked listings. The market draws a diverse visitor mix including maritime history enthusiasts at the Soo Locks (210,000-250,000 annual visitors during the May-October operating season), snowmobilers attending the I-500 race in February, casino visitors to Kewadin Casino, and travelers accessing Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
In April 2026, the market recorded a 33.2% occupancy rate and a $165.79 average daily rate, producing a RevPAR of $55.05. Year-over-year, occupancy declined 6.9 percentage points and monthly revenue fell 5.0%, while ADR ticked up 2.5%. April is a shoulder month in this market; the 2025 annual average occupancy of 49.9% and ADR of $206 provide a more representative baseline.
By listing type, the market is predominantly entire-place rentals (4,481 units), with 221 private rooms and 1 shared room. By bedroom count, two-bedroom properties lead at 1,552 units, followed by three-bedroom (1,254), one-bedroom (1,174), four-bedroom (485), and five-bedroom-plus (234). Channel distribution favors Airbnb: 2,134 listings are Airbnb-only, 703 are VRBO-only, and 1,866 appear on both platforms. The total market score of 82.4 and an investability score of 99.8 out of 100 reflect the exceptional entry price point relative to revenue potential.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43% | $186 | $2,164 |
| Feb | 50% | $192 | $2,308 |
| Mar | 31% | $161 | $1,587 |
| Apr | 36% | $146 | $1,388 |
| May | 47% | $169 | $1,649 |
| Jun | 64% | $201 | $2,984 |
| Jul | 77% | $208 | $4,303 |
| Aug | 73% | $206 | $4,162 |
| Sep | 55% | $189 | $2,863 |
| Oct | 50% | $180 | $2,480 |
| Nov | 31% | $152 | $1,510 |
| Dec | 45% | $173 | $1,678 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Sault Sainte Marie
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 99 | 4,068 | ★ 4.65 |
| 2 | Freshwater Vacation Rentals | 75 | 5,309 | ★ 4.85 |
| 3 | Northwoods Resort | 49 | 6,899 | ★ 4.86 |
| 4 | Northern Properties | 49 | 228 | ★ 4.71 |
| 5 | Pictured Rocks Vacation Rentals & Property Management, LLC | 36 | 3,262 | ★ 4.74 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Sault Sainte Marie?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,174 |
| 2 bed | 1,552 |
| 3 bed | 1,254 |
| 4 bed | 485 |
| 5 bed | 234 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $169 |
| Luxury | $284 |
| Professionally Managed | $216 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,254 |
| Entire Place | $1,469 |
| House | $1,496 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 45.4% |
| vrbo | 14.9% |
| both | 39.7% |
Investment Analysis
At a $196,961 typical home value and $1,424 average monthly revenue (April 2026), Sault Sainte Marie produces an estimated gross annualized yield of approximately 8.7% based on the April snapshot before fees, taxes, and operating costs (($1,424 x 12) / $196,961). Using the 2025 annual average of $2,820 per month, the yield estimate rises to approximately 17.2% annualized, reflecting the strong summer peak contribution and the market’s exceptionally affordable entry price.
The investability score of 99.8 out of 100 is the highest in this batch, driven by the combination of low home values, meaningful summer demand, and an absence of restrictive regulations. The typical home value of $196,961 is one of the most affordable entry points among active STR markets in the Midwest.
Tier separation shows consistent premiums. The all-listings average ADR is $165.79. Entire-home properties averaged $169.13, slightly above market. Professionally managed properties averaged $216.28, a 30% premium. Luxury-tier listings averaged $284.02, a 71% premium over the market average. By property type, houses generate $1,496 in average monthly revenue versus $1,469 for entire-place listings broadly and $1,254 for apartments. With for-sale inventory of 64 properties and no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, the market is accessible to non-resident investors under the current regulatory framework.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Guests booking Sault Sainte Marie properties plan an average of 68.6 days ahead, roughly nine to ten weeks out. This is one of the longer lead times in this batch, suggesting that visitors to the Upper Peninsula commit early, particularly for peak summer dates aligned with the Soo Locks visitor season and for snowmobile event weekends in January and February. Operators can use this extended booking window to implement revenue management strategies that reward early commitment with stable rates while holding capacity for higher-rate last-minute bookings during peak periods.
The average length of stay is 3.87 nights, consistent with a long-weekend Upper Peninsula getaway pattern. A 3-night minimum captures the dominant booking profile during peak season without sacrificing significant demand. During winter snowmobile season, 2-night minimums on specific event weekends may maximize fill while capturing rate premiums from event-driven guests with less flexible travel windows.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. At the state level, Michigan requires a 6% use tax on lodging stays under one month, collected and remitted to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Airbnb collects and remits this tax on behalf of hosts on its platform; VRBO hosts and direct-booking operators must register with the Department of Treasury and remit independently.
At the local level, the City of Sault Sainte Marie requires annual registration of residential rental properties through the Ordinance Enforcement office. The published fee schedule and inspection cadence specific to short-term rentals were not confirmed in available city web sources; operators should contact the city Community Development office directly to confirm current registration fees and any zoning compliance review requirements. There is no owner-occupancy requirement and no primary-residence requirement under the current framework.
Zoning is governed by the city zoning ordinance (Municode Appendix A), which establishes residential districts (R-1, RS-1, RS-2, R-1A, RSV) permitting single-family dwellings; short-term rental use is generally treated under the broader residential rental framework. Chippewa County does not appear to impose a separate accommodations tax. Enforcement is complaint-driven through the Ordinance Enforcement Officer. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. Operators should verify current zoning compliance and registration requirements before listing.
Market Comparison
Sault Sainte Marie’s April 2026 occupancy of 33.2% is below the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, reflecting the shoulder-month timing. The 2025 annual average of 49.9% is closer to but still below the national median, consistent with a regional Upper Peninsula destination rather than a national leisure market. The $165.79 ADR is below the national median of approximately $220, but the entry price point makes this an accessible market from an investment standpoint.
The professional management layer is smaller-scale relative to total market listings. Evolve leads with 99 listings and a 4.650 average rating across 4,068 reviews. Freshwater Vacation Rentals (75 listings, 4.848 rating) and Northwoods Resort (49 listings, 4.863 rating) are highly rated regional specialists with deep local expertise. Northern Properties (49 listings, 4.706 rating) and Pictured Rocks Vacation Rentals (36 listings, 4.739 rating) round out the top five. The top five operators together manage roughly 308 of approximately 4,703 total market listings, or about 6.5% of supply, indicating that independent operators dominate. The 99.8 investability score signals an underserved market relative to its revenue potential and property costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
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