Taos, New Mexico Short-Term Rental Market
Taos caps STR permits at 120; the Taos area averaged $257/night, 49.1% occupancy and $3,727 monthly revenue in August 2026.
Quick Answer: Taos, New Mexico is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Taos market area is 46%. average monthly revenue in the Taos market area is $3,132. average daily rate in the Taos market area is $245. the top operator in the Taos market area is Vacasa with 208 listings. market score is 50/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the wider Taos market, which covers 5 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Taos.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Town of Taos caps short-term rental permits at 120, and Taos County caps permits in unincorporated areas at 400. Performance data for Taos is reported for the Taos and Angel Fire area of northern New Mexico as a whole. The same series covers Taos and Angel Fire. All performance figures on this page describe that Taos-Angel Fire area STR market, not the town alone. In August 2026, the area posted an average daily rate (ADR) of $257 and 49.1% occupancy. Average monthly revenue per listing was $3,727. Compared with August 2025, occupancy fell 8.6%, ADR rose 4.0%, and revenue fell 3.1%. Taos has 6,458 residents, and at peak season it can see as many as 15,000 visitors per day. Most visitors drive in from the region. From 2020 to 2024, about 32% of trips came from New Mexico, 25% from Texas, and 12% from Colorado. Visitor trips fell 7.1% in 2024. Annual averages show the same pressure on occupancy. Occupancy was 56.4% in 2021, 48.1% in 2025, and 46.7% across the first eight months of 2026. ADR rose from $233 in 2021 to $273 in 2025 and $282 in 2026 so far. Listing-type mix, bedroom mix, and top property managers are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Taos, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 42% |
| Feb | 54% |
| Mar | 50% |
| Apr | 27% |
| May | 51% |
| Jun | 57% |
| Jul | 63% |
| Aug | 53% |
| Sep | 46% |
| Oct | 46% |
| Nov | 37% |
| Dec | 57% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Taos are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Taos market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Taos market as a whole, which includes Taos, so these counts are not Taos-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 208 | 6,400 | ★ 4.43 |
| 2 | Evolve | 186 | 7,975 | ★ 4.71 |
| 3 | Resort Properties | 148 | 1,996 | ★ 4.66 |
| 4 | M Vacation | 142 | 3,419 | ★ 4.56 |
| 5 | Reservations Unlimited LLC | 93 | 1,693 | ★ 4.54 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Taos?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Taos 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 | 28.2% |
| vrbo | 9.9% |
| both | 61.9% |
Home Value Trends (Taos)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Taos 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 Taos — 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
Taos has two overlapping regimes, one for the Town of Taos and one for unincorporated Taos County. Angel Fire sets its own rules, which this page does not cover. The Town caps total permits at 120 and issues them through an online, first-come-first-served system. Permits expire September 30 and renew annually, with a renewal window through November 30. Reported fees are about $300 per year for a primary residence and $400 for a non-primary residence. The lower rate requires primary-residence documents. STRs are allowed only in listed residential and commercial districts, and some need a conditional use permit. They are banned in the Historic District, the Historic and Hotel Overlay Zones, and the Central Business District. Operators owe a 5% Lodger’s Tax on stays under 30 nights, plus Gross Receipts Tax of about 7.375% in town. Safety equipment is required. Fines for operating without a permit can reach $500 per day. Taos County adopted ordinance 2024-4 in August 2024, effective around October 21, 2024, with a 400-permit cap. It exempts residents of 10 or more years and affordable-housing providers. Enforcement is rated strict.
Market Comparison
The Taos area earns more per night than the national benchmark but fills fewer nights. A common benchmark is about 55% occupancy and a $220 ADR. August 2026 occupancy of 49.1% is below that mark. The $257 ADR is $37 above it. The 2025 annual averages show the same split. Occupancy was 48.1% and ADR was $273, which is $53 above the benchmark. High rates have offset low occupancy, with revenue per listing at $3,606 per month in 2025. Occupancy has slipped from 56.4% in 2021, so growth now depends entirely on rate. Top property managers, listing-type mix, and channel mix for Taos are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for the town, so this profile omits them. Investors should compare any specific property against the all-listings figures first. Then compare it against the professionally managed tier at $319 ADR.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taos, New Mexico
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