Columbus, Ohio Short-Term Rental Market
Columbus, OH STRs posted 65.4% occupancy and $150/night ADR, with a near-perfect 97.9 total market score.
Quick Answer: Columbus, Ohio is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Columbus market area is 70%. average monthly revenue in the Columbus market area is $3,631. average daily rate in the Columbus market area is $190. 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 one of the highest-rated STR markets in the country by composite score, reaching 97.9 out of 100 driven by exceptional rental demand (92.0) and revenue growth (83.4). The market recorded an average daily rate of $149.90 and 65.4% occupancy in the most recent data period, producing a RevPAR of $98.10. Year-over-year, occupancy increased 8.1% while ADR dipped 2.7%, resulting in net revenue growth of 4.9%. Ohio State University, a record-setting convention calendar, and a nationally recognized food and arts scene generate demand across all segments.
The Columbus STR market holds approximately 5,531 active listings. Entire-place units dominate at 4,756 (86.0% of inventory), with 767 private rooms and 8 shared rooms. By bedroom count, one-bedroom units lead at 1,985, followed by two-bedroom units at 1,479 and three-bedroom units at 1,194. Four- and five-bedroom properties account for 862 listings combined. Airbnb is the dominant channel with 2,971 Airbnb-only listings; 2,325 listings appear on both platforms; and 235 are VRBO-exclusive.
Columbus attracted a record 53.2 million visitor trips in 2024, generating $8.2 billion in direct visitor spending and $59.5 million in bed-tax revenue. Conventions, trade shows, and sporting events accounted for 435 events in 2024 including the MLS All-Star Game and US Figure Skating Championships. The Short North Arts District, German Village, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Ohio State University campus events sustain year-round leisure demand in addition to the strong business travel base.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 50% |
| Feb | 58% |
| Mar | 57% |
| Apr | 59% |
| May | 62% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 66% |
| Aug | 64% |
| Sep | 60% |
| 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 regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 598 of the city code. Every operator must obtain an annual Short-Term Rental Permit from the Department of Public Safety Building and Zoning License Section. The permit fee is $75 per year for a primary residence and $150 per year for a non-primary residence. Applications require a notarized form, an Ohio BCI fingerprint-based background check (approximately $32 per person for the applicant, host, 24/7 emergency contact, and property manager), a Letter of Good Standing from the Columbus Division of Income Tax, proof of residency or ownership, and confirmation of hosting-platform registration. The permit number must be displayed inside the unit and in every listing.
The critical constraint for non-primary (investment) properties is a 104-night annual cap on cumulative rental days per 365-day period. Primary residences have no night limit. There is no owner-occupancy requirement. A 24/7 local emergency contact with a residential address is mandatory. STRs are permitted in residential zones R-1, R-2, and R-3. Enforcement is rated moderate and the city updated its STR application materials in 2024.
On the tax side, Columbus charges a 5.1% lodging excise tax. Combined with Franklin County and Convention Facilities Authority lodging tax (approximately 4.9%) and state and county sales tax (approximately 7.5%), the total effective tax burden on a stay is roughly 17.5%. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these on the host’s behalf, but the host remains responsible for registration and remittance.
Market Comparison
Columbus, OH’s 65.4% occupancy is well above the US STR median of approximately 55%, placing it among the top-performing non-resort markets nationally. Its ADR of $149.90 is about 32% below the national median of roughly $220, which is explained by Columbus’s home-price profile ($248,749 typical home value) sitting below the national average, producing a favorable yield per dollar invested.
Among top operators, Housepitality leads with 140 listings and 2,284 reviews at a 4.27 average rating. The Styer Group manages 102 listings with the highest rating in the top five at 4.82 stars. Gibson and Hetherington Luxury Properties holds 84 listings but has accumulated 4,017 reviews at 4.58 stars, indicating a high-volume operation despite a mid-sized listing count. H2H Services operates 81 listings at 4.55 stars, and Evolve rounds out the top five with 65 listings at 4.64 stars. The top five collectively manage 472 listings, approximately 8.5% of total market inventory, indicating a relatively fragmented market with significant room for independent operators. The total market score of 97.9 out of 100 is among the strongest composite scores tracked nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus, Ohio
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