Columbus, Ohio Short-Term Rental Market
Columbus caps non-primary rentals at 104 days; September 2026 ADR $184, occupancy 71.1%, monthly revenue $3,438.
Quick Answer: Columbus, Ohio is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Columbus market area is 71%. average monthly revenue in the Columbus market area is $3,438. average daily rate in the Columbus market area is $184. the top operator in the Columbus market area is Housepitality with 140 listings. market score is 98/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the wider Columbus market, which covers 6 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Columbus.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Columbus, Ohio is a permitted and regulated short-term rental market, and the September 2026 data shows it running hot. The Columbus area STR market averaged an ADR of $184 and occupancy of 71.1% in September 2026, producing average monthly revenue of $3,438 per listing. Year over year, occupancy rose 19.9%, ADR rose 2.4%, and revenue rose 22.8%, so growth is coming mostly from more booked nights rather than higher rates.
The Columbus area STR market tracks 5,531 listings by type. Entire places make up 4,756 of them (86.0%), private rooms account for 767, and shared rooms for just 8. By bedroom count, the mix is weighted toward smaller units: 1,985 one-bedroom listings, 1,479 two-bedroom, 1,194 three-bedroom, 552 four-bedroom, and 310 five-bedroom. On distribution, 2,971 listings are on Airbnb only, 235 are on Vrbo only, and 2,325 are on both platforms.
Demand is anchored by a large visitor economy. Greater Columbus drew a record 53.2 million visitor trips in 2024, including 11.1 million overnight trips (up 7.3%). Visitors spent $8.2 billion directly, and bed-tax collections reached $59.5 million, up 8%. The calendar is driven by conventions, trade shows and sports, with 435 conventions and events in 2024, plus Ohio State University events, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, COSI, the Short North Arts District, and German Village. The city has a population of about 915,000.
StaySTRA’s market score for Columbus is 98.0 out of 100 overall, with rental demand at 92.0, seasonality at 91.3, revenue growth at 83.4, investability at 76.0, and regulation at 71.2.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 50% |
| Feb | 58% |
| Mar | 57% |
| Apr | 59% |
| May | 62% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 67% |
| Aug | 65% |
| Sep | 61% |
| Oct | 59% |
| Nov | 54% |
| Dec | 52% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Columbus are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Columbus market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Columbus market as a whole, which includes Columbus, so these counts are not Columbus-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Housepitality | 140 | 2,284 | ★ 4.27 |
| 2 | The Styer Group | 102 | 1,324 | ★ 4.82 |
| 3 | Gibson & Hetherington Luxury Properties | 84 | 4,017 | ★ 4.58 |
| 4 | H2H Services | 81 | 3,679 | ★ 4.55 |
| 5 | Evolve | 65 | 1,892 | ★ 4.64 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Columbus?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Columbus 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 | 53.7% |
| vrbo | 4.2% |
| both | 42% |
Home Value Trends (Columbus)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Columbus 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 Columbus — 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
Columbus legalizes and regulates short-term rentals, defined as stays under 30 consecutive nights, through Chapter 598 of the city code. Short-term rentals are permitted in residential zones R-1, R-2 and R-3. Every operator must hold an annual Short-Term Rental Permit from the city, issued through the Department of Public Safety, Building and Zoning License Section. The fee is $75 per year for a primary residence and $150 per year for a non-primary residence, and permits expire one calendar year after issuance.
The key rule for investors is the night limit. Non-owner-occupied rentals are allowed, but non-primary residences are capped at 104 cumulative rental days per 365-day period. Primary residences have no cap. Owner occupancy and primary residence are not required.
Applications require a notarized form, an Ohio BCI fingerprint background check (roughly $32 per person) for the applicant, host, emergency contact and property manager, a Letter of Good Standing from the Columbus Department of Income Tax, proof of residency or of ownership or lease rights allowing STR use, and proof of hosting platform registration. The permit number must be posted inside the unit and in every listing, and a local 24/7 emergency contact is required.
The city levies a 5.1% lodging excise tax. Combined with Franklin County and Convention Facilities Authority lodging tax of about 4.9% and the roughly 7.5% state and county sales tax, the total tax burden on a stay is about 17.5%. Platforms may collect some taxes, but the host remains responsible for registration and remittance. Enforcement severity is rated moderate. The permitting framework and application materials were updated in 2024, and no major overhaul or moratorium has been identified in the last 24 months.
Market Comparison
Columbus shows a high-occupancy, mid-range-rate profile. Occupancy of 71.1% and an ADR of $184 in September 2026 mean Columbus wins on volume rather than rate: it fills calendars at a mid-range price.
The seasonal view is more conservative. Even the weakest month, January, runs at 50.5% occupancy, and the peak month, July, reaches 66.6%. Typical Columbus ADR ranges from $110 to $148 across the year, so the current-month figures reflect an unusually strong stretch.
The market is also professionalizing. The largest operators in the Columbus area STR market are Housepitality with 140 listings, The Styer Group with 102, Gibson and Hetherington Luxury Properties with 84, H2H Services with 81, and Evolve with 65. Ratings among them run from 4.27 to 4.82, a useful reference point for service standards guests expect.
For investors, the lower price point is matched by a lower entry cost, with a typical home value of $251,291. That combination supports the 10.3% gross yield shown here, though rental income growth of 22.8% year over year should be weighed against the 104-day limit on non-primary properties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus, Ohio
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How much do short-term rentals earn in Columbus?
Are short-term rentals legal in Columbus?
What is the gross rental yield for an Airbnb in Columbus?
What is the best month for short-term rentals in Columbus?
What taxes apply to Columbus short-term rental stays?
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