Hatteras, North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Hatteras Outer Banks STR averaged $390 ADR, 56.7% occupancy and $5,562 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Hatteras, North Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Outer Banks market area is 57%. average monthly revenue in the Outer Banks market area is $5,562. average daily rate in the Outer Banks market area is $390. the top operator in the Outer Banks market area is Vacasa with 627 listings. market score is 78/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Outer Banks regional market, which includes Hatteras. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Hatteras.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This page covers short-term rental performance for Hatteras, North Carolina, using data through September 2026. Hatteras is a small fishing village of about 577 residents on Hatteras Island, inside Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Performance figures here describe the Outer Banks STR market, a series Hatteras shares with Rodanthe and Kitty Hawk, so they should be read as regional benchmarks rather than a count of Hatteras village alone. In September 2026 the Outer Banks STR market posted an average daily rate of $390, occupancy of 56.7% and average monthly revenue of $5,562. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 7.8%, ADR rose 9.1% and revenue rose 7.3%. Entire places earned an ADR of $393, close to the all-listings average, which reflects how heavily the market leans toward whole-home rentals. Houses averaged $5,906 in monthly revenue, entire places $5,630 and apartments $4,409. Demand is built on beach, fishing, windsurfing and kiteboarding trips. The broader Outer Banks receives more than 5 million visitors a year, and Dare County generated roughly $2.1 billion in visitor spending in 2024, fourth highest among North Carolina’s 100 counties. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse alone draws over 175,000 climbers annually, and the free Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry adds a second reason to stay in the village. Most visitors drive in from Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Tourism is the dominant local industry, with about 45% of Dare County jobs tied to it. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Hatteras, so this profile omits them. The market’s score components, where published, favor revenue growth and investability over seasonality, which remains the main structural weakness.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 29% |
| Feb | 41% |
| Mar | 55% |
| Apr | 57% |
| May | 63% |
| Jun | 79% |
| Jul | 84% |
| Aug | 79% |
| Sep | 61% |
| Oct | 48% |
| Nov | 39% |
| Dec | 32% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Hatteras are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Outer Banks market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Outer Banks market as a whole, which includes Hatteras, so these counts are not Hatteras-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 627 | 22,355 | ★ 4.33 |
| 2 | Village Realty | 573 | 5,461 | ★ 4.49 |
| 3 | Surf Or Sound | 451 | 2,555 | ★ 4.30 |
| 4 | Resort Realty | 435 | 1,940 | ★ 4.37 |
| 5 | Seaside vacation rentals | 354 | 3,561 | ★ 4.44 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Hatteras?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Hatteras 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 | 19.8% |
| vrbo | 24.2% |
| both | 56% |
Home Value Trends (Hatteras)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Hatteras 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 Hatteras — 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 Hatteras. Hatteras is an unincorporated community, so Dare County rather than a town government handles land use, and rentals have operated for decades across Hatteras Island’s residential zones. Dare County does not require an STR permit, license or registration, does not cap rental nights, and does not require owner occupancy or primary residence. North Carolina state law further limits local governments from requiring STR registration or banning whole-house rentals, and rentals fall under the NC Vacation Rental Act. The main compliance duty is tax. Operators collect and remit Dare County’s 6% occupancy tax, filed monthly, plus the 6.75% combined NC and Dare sales tax on accommodations. The occupancy tax does not apply to a residence rented fewer than 15 days per calendar year or to stays of 90 or more continuous days. Standard structural rules still apply, including building and septic permits, occupancy limits, and CAMA and flood coastal regulations. Enforcement is rated minimal and centers on occupancy tax collection rather than operating limits. Recent changes have been favorable or neutral: there has been no significant tightening, Dare County loosened zoning in 2024 and 2025 to allow more accessory dwelling units, and the main ongoing issue is occupancy tax collection on platform bookings. Investors should confirm current rules with Dare County before buying.
Market Comparison
In September 2026 the Outer Banks series posted 56.7% occupancy at an ADR of $390, which makes it a high rate, moderate occupancy market. Entire places at $393 and professionally managed listings at $440 sit above the all-listings average, and luxury listings reach $567. The yearly numbers show a market with improving pricing power. ADR was $312 in 2024 and $431 in 2025, while occupancy was 54.1% in 2024 and 54.7% in 2025. Year over year in September 2026, ADR grew 9.1%, occupancy grew 7.8% and revenue grew 7.3%. The main trade off is seasonality. Monthly occupancy runs from 28.9% in January to 83.6% in July. Revenue per month in the peak is more than four times the winter low. Top operator names and listing counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Hatteras, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hatteras, North Carolina
What is the average Airbnb ADR in Hatteras, NC?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Hatteras?
How much revenue can a Hatteras short-term rental earn?
Do you need a permit to run an STR in Hatteras?
When is the best time of year for Hatteras rentals?
How much does a home cost in Hatteras?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
Analyze Hatteras Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Hatteras.
Free Hatteras STR Calculator →
