Calabash, North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Southeastern North Carolina coast STR market averaged $382 ADR, 51.0% occupancy and $5,179 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Calabash, North Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Wilmington market area is 51%. average monthly revenue in the Wilmington market area is $5,179. average daily rate in the Wilmington market area is $382. the top operator in the Wilmington market area is Vacasa with 776 listings. market score is 63/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Wilmington regional market, which includes Calabash. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Calabash.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Calabash is a small incorporated town of 2,433 residents in Brunswick County, best known as the self-described Seafood Capital of the World. Short-term rental performance for Calabash is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for the town, so every performance figure on this page describes the southeastern North Carolina coast STR market, not Calabash alone. Individual streets and properties will vary.
In September 2026, the average daily rate across all listings in this market was $382 and occupancy was 51.0%. Average monthly revenue per listing was $5,179. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 12.3%, ADR is up 10.1%, and revenue is up 14.8%, so growth came from both more booked nights and higher rates.
The longer view is also positive. Annual average revenue per listing was $2,537 a month in 2017 and $4,538 a month in 2025. Year to date through September 2026, the average is $5,370 a month on 56.1% occupancy and a $352 ADR, ahead of the 2025 full-year figures of 51.4% occupancy and a $314 ADR.
The market is seasonal. Summer months run well above 65% occupancy, while January, November and December fall below 40%. Calabash itself draws visitors for Calabash-style seafood, fishing and dolphin tours from the waterfront, nearby golf, and access to Sunset Beach roughly 5 miles away. Brunswick County’s coastal tourism corridor generated $1.2 billion in visitor spending in 2024. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts for this region are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Calabash, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 32% |
| Feb | 45% |
| Mar | 55% |
| Apr | 56% |
| May | 60% |
| Jun | 76% |
| Jul | 81% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 52% |
| Oct | 47% |
| Nov | 39% |
| Dec | 34% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Calabash are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Wilmington market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Wilmington market as a whole, which includes Calabash, so these counts are not Calabash-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 776 | 18,259 | ★ 4.46 |
| 2 | Oak Island Accommodations | 469 | 2,489 | ★ 4.43 |
| 3 | Better Beach Rentals | 445 | 3,724 | ★ 4.37 |
| 4 | Evolve | 332 | 12,283 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Carolina Retreats by Vtrips | 317 | 3,785 | ★ 4.54 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Calabash?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Calabash 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 | 21.3% |
| vrbo | 16.9% |
| both | 61.8% |
Home Value Trends (Calabash)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Calabash 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 Calabash — 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
Short-term rentals are permitted in Calabash. North Carolina state law limits local governments from banning vacation rentals outright, and no dedicated STR permit is required by the Town of Calabash or Brunswick County as of June 2026. No permit fee or renewal period applies. Enforcement is rated minimal at the local level because there is no permitting program.
There is no cap on rental nights per year, and neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required.
Operators must follow standard residential zoning and the NC Vacation Rental Act. The Act requires written rental contracts that include summaries of local noise, parking and waste ordinances, and a licensed manager or agent must be within 50 miles of the property during guest stays.
The combined accommodation tax is approximately 7.75% of short-stay gross receipts: 4.75% NC state sales tax, 2% Brunswick County local sales tax, and 1% Brunswick County room occupancy tax. The county occupancy tax has been in effect since January 1, 1998. Some Brunswick County municipalities, such as Sunset Beach and Holden Beach, add local accommodations taxes, but Calabash does not appear to have a separate town-level occupancy tax.
No recent changes were identified. The state legislature considered statewide STR regulation in 2025 (SB 291), but no new state permit mandate had passed as of June 2026. Investors should confirm the zoning classification of a specific property with the Town of Calabash Zoning and Building Inspections department before listing.
Market Comparison
The southeastern North Carolina coast STR market had a strong September 2026. Occupancy was 51.0%, up 12.3% from a year earlier, and the ADR was $382, up 10.1%.
The annual picture is stronger still. Year to date 2026 occupancy is 56.1% with a $352 ADR. Peak months stand well apart: July reaches 80.6% occupancy at $344, while the January trough is 31.7%.
The rate level reflects a coastal, golf and seafood destination that supports higher nightly prices, balanced by a pronounced seasonal dip. Revenue growth of 14.8% year over year is also notable.
Top operator names in this market are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Calabash, so this profile omits them. Investors comparing Calabash with other markets should weigh the rate level and summer strength against the winter softness, and should check the local STR rules and the 7.75% combined tax.
Frequently Asked Questions About Calabash, North Carolina
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Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Calabash, NC?
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