Raleigh, North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
The Raleigh area STR market earned $159 ADR at 67% occupancy in June 2026.
Quick Answer: Raleigh, North Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Raleigh/Durham market area is 67%. average monthly revenue in the Raleigh/Durham market area is $2,964. average daily rate in the Raleigh/Durham market area is $159. the top operator in the Raleigh/Durham market area is Evolve with 106 listings. market score is 88/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Raleigh/Durham regional market, which includes Raleigh. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Raleigh.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Raleigh is the anchor of Wake County and North Carolina’s state capital, part of the Research Triangle alongside Durham and Chapel Hill. Wake County drew a record 19 million visitors in 2024 (up 2.7% over 2023), spending $3.4 billion locally, though this is a county-level total rather than a city-only figure. Raleigh attracts a mix of business and convention travelers, leisure tourists, sports fans, and university and museum visitors tied to NC State University. Wake County hotel occupancy averaged 69.7% in 2024, above both state (62.7%) and national (63%) averages.
Short-term rental performance data in this data set is tracked at a submarket level shared across a 7-city North Carolina cluster, so the figures below describe the wider Raleigh area STR market rather than city-limits-only precision. In June 2026, the most recent month with complete data, the area’s average daily rate across all listings was $158.57 at 66.83% occupancy, generating average monthly revenue of $2,963.70 per listing. Occupancy is up 0.75% year over year, ADR is up 2.96%, and monthly revenue is up 3.19% year over year.
Bedroom mix, listing-type mix, channel mix, and market-score data in this data set are tracked at a shared regional level rather than measured uniquely for Raleigh, so this profile omits those figures rather than present regional numbers as if they were city-specific. Booking data for the area shows an average lead time of 35.93 days, one of the shortest in this project, and an average length of stay of 5.14 nights.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 55% |
| Feb | 63% |
| Mar | 65% |
| Apr | 63% |
| May | 63% |
| Jun | 68% |
| Jul | 70% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 65% |
| Oct | 68% |
| Nov | 64% |
| Dec | 59% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Raleigh are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Raleigh/Durham market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Raleigh/Durham market as a whole, which includes Raleigh, so these counts are not Raleigh-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 106 | 3,065 | ★ 4.52 |
| 2 | Coveted Hospitality | 99 | 1,152 | ★ 4.18 |
| 3 | Landing | 91 | 10 | ★ 3.72 |
| 4 | Landing, Inc. | 74 | 174 | ★ 4.55 |
| 5 | Triangle short term rentals | 69 | 1,400 | ★ 4.78 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Raleigh?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Raleigh 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 | 61.1% |
| vrbo | 4.7% |
| both | 34.2% |
Home Value Trends (Raleigh)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Raleigh 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 Raleigh — 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, defined as stays of 30 days or less for compensation, are legal in Raleigh but require a zoning permit from the city before operating. As of April 2025 the initial permit fee is about $194.00, with annual renewal around $86. The permit number must be conspicuously displayed on all advertisements, including Airbnb and Vrbo listings, and at the property itself.
Raleigh distinguishes two STR types: homestays, which are owner-occupied and limited to two rented rooms and two adults (plus minor children), and whole-house STRs, which do not require owner occupancy. STRs are permitted as a Limited Use only in specified residential and mixed-use or commercial districts. In multifamily buildings, no more than 25% of units, or two units, whichever is greater, may be used as STRs.
Operators may not use exterior advertising, and special events or gatherings are banned in residential zones. Cooking facilities are not allowed in bedrooms, except in studio units, and lodger records must be retained for three years.
On taxes, Raleigh imposes no city occupancy tax, but STRs must remit the Wake County Room Occupancy Tax of 6.00% plus North Carolina’s 4.75% state sales tax and Wake County’s 2.5% sales tax, for a combined lodging tax burden of roughly 13.25%. Airbnb collects and remits this tax on hosts’ behalf. Operating without a permit can draw fines, commonly cited in the range of $100 to $500 per day. Enforcement is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
The Raleigh area’s 66.83% occupancy in June 2026 runs above the roughly 55% median occupancy typically seen across the broader U.S. short-term rental market, while its $158.57 average daily rate is well below the roughly $220 national median ADR. This combination, above-average occupancy but comparatively low rates, reflects Raleigh’s position as a growing Research Triangle business and university hub rather than a premium leisure destination.
Top property manager data in this data set is tracked at a shared regional level across a 7-city North Carolina cluster rather than uniquely for Raleigh, so this profile does not present specific operator names, listing counts, or ratings as Raleigh-specific. Raleigh’s own regulatory environment is a more distinctive local factor: a zoning-permit system that distinguishes owner-occupied homestays from whole-house STRs and caps STR density in multifamily buildings at 25% of units.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raleigh, North Carolina
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in the Raleigh area?
What is the average nightly rate for a short-term rental in the Raleigh area?
Do I need a permit to operate a short-term rental in Raleigh, NC?
Do I need to live in my short-term rental in Raleigh?
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Raleigh?
Is there a cap on short-term rentals in multifamily buildings in Raleigh?
What is the best time of year to own a short-term rental in the Raleigh area?
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