Union Pier, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Union Pier STRs averaged $282/night at 40.0% occupancy in April 2026, with permit cap now closed in Chikaming Township.
Quick Answer: Union Pier, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Michigan West Coastal market area is 66%. average monthly revenue in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $7,737. average daily rate in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $492. 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 Union Pier. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Union Pier.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Union Pier is part of southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country corridor, positioned roughly 70 miles from downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. As of April 2026, the market posted an average daily rate of $282 and occupancy of 40.0%, generating a RevPAR of $112. The market holds approximately 8,184 active listings across both platforms, with entire-place rentals comprising 7,895 (96.5%) and 289 private rooms.
Bedroom distribution skews toward larger properties: 3-bedroom units lead with 2,161 listings, followed by 2-bedroom (1,913), 1-bedroom (1,478), 4-bedroom (1,436), and 5-bedroom-plus (1,190). Channel distribution shows 4,620 listings on both Airbnb and Vrbo, 2,325 exclusively on Airbnb, and 1,239 on Vrbo only.
Year-over-year trends in April 2026 were positive across all three metrics: occupancy up 3.7%, ADR up 7.6%, and revenue up 1.9%. Market scores show exceptional investability (94.7 out of 100) and revenue growth (94.4), though seasonality scored 44.1, reflecting the market’s heavy summer weighting. The total market score is 77.3, among the higher readings in this dataset.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 30% |
| Feb | 36% |
| Mar | 41% |
| Apr | 40% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 77% |
| Aug | 69% |
| Sep | 42% |
| Oct | 38% |
| Nov | 30% |
| Dec | 35% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Union Pier 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 Union Pier, so these counts are not Union Pier-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 Union Pier?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Union Pier 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 (Union Pier)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Union Pier 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 Union Pier — 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
Union Pier spans two townships with separate regulatory frameworks, and the parcel address determines which rules apply.
Chikaming Township (northern Union Pier) adopted Ordinance 164, effective March 23, 2026, creating a hard cap of 550 STR permits township-wide. The cap was reached shortly after the ordinance took effect, and no new applications are being accepted. The next permit opening is projected for the 2027 renewal cycle when permits are not renewed. Permit fees are $500 for the first bedroom plus $250 per additional bedroom (minimum $750 total), with annual renewal required by February 1. Operating without a valid permit triggers a fine of 1.5 times the standard fee. Properties must pass inspection and comply with noise, litter, solid waste, and burning ordinances. Private events are capped at three times the maximum permitted tenant count.
New Buffalo Township (southern Union Pier) requires a $500 license valid for 36 months, with inspection and nuisance-ordinance compliance.
Michigan’s 6% use tax applies to all stays under 30 days. Airbnb collects and remits automatically; Vrbo and direct-booking operators must file with the Michigan Department of Treasury. Berrien County does not impose an additional county accommodations tax. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement in either township. Enforcement severity is rated high due to the active cap framework and structured permit revocation process.
Market Comparison
Union Pier’s $282 ADR exceeds the U.S. STR median of approximately $220, reflecting the market’s premium positioning as a sought-after Chicago-area escape with high-value real estate. The 40.0% April occupancy is below the U.S. annual median of approximately 55%, consistent with an early spring read in a summer-heavy seasonal market.
Year-over-year, all three metrics improved: occupancy +3.7%, ADR +7.6%, revenue +1.9%, suggesting the market absorbed new supply without rate deterioration. The 2025 full-year average of 46.2% occupancy and $345 ADR represents the strongest rate year on record in the historical data.
Among property managers, Jaqua Realtors leads with 251 listings and a 4.74 rating. Evolve follows with 181 listings and 8,033 reviews. Vacasa holds 146 listings with a 4.54 rating. Unsalted Vacations (128 listings, 4.75 rating) and Bluefish Vacation Rentals (112 listings, 4.75 rating) round out the top five. The combined top-5 count of 818 listings represents roughly 10% of total market supply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Union Pier, Michigan
Can I still get a permit to run a short-term rental in Union Pier?
What is the average Airbnb income in Union Pier, MI?
What is the peak season for rentals in Union Pier?
What home prices should I expect when buying an STR in Union Pier?
How does the Union Pier STR market rate for investors?
Which property management companies operate in Union Pier?
What occupancy tax applies to Union Pier rentals?
Analyze Union Pier Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Union Pier.
Free Union Pier STR Calculator →
