Aiken, South Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Augusta-Aiken area STR market averaged $146 ADR, 58.4% occupancy and $2,081 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Aiken, South Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Augusta market area is 58%. average monthly revenue in the Augusta market area is $2,081. average daily rate in the Augusta market area is $146. the top operator in the Augusta market area is Evolve with 54 listings. market score is 59/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Augusta regional market, which includes Aiken. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Aiken.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the Augusta-Aiken area STR market, which spans Aiken, South Carolina and Augusta, Georgia. Performance figures below are measured at that shared regional level rather than for Aiken alone, while regulations and home values are specific to Aiken. In September 2026 the average short-term rental in the Augusta-Aiken area earned an ADR of $146 at 58.4% occupancy, producing average monthly revenue of $2,081 per listing. Entire-place rentals did better, with an ADR of $157 and average monthly revenue of $2,215. Houses averaged $2,257 a month and apartments averaged $1,669.
Year over year, the picture is mixed. Occupancy fell 5.1%, ADR rose 8.6%, and revenue per listing slipped 4.6%, so rate gains did not fully offset softer bookings. Over a longer horizon the market has grown. Average monthly revenue climbed from $1,864 in 2019 to $2,782 in 2025, and the first nine months of 2026 average $2,706 a month at a $189 ADR and 55.0% occupancy.
Demand is event driven. The Triple Crown of Aiken equestrian weekends in March draw crowds, including more than 30,000 to the Spring Steeplechase, and Masters Tournament overflow from Augusta, about 20 minutes away, lifts April rates sharply. Hitchcock Woods, a 2,100 acre urban forest, and six local golf courses support outdoor travel through the rest of the year. Visitors skew toward couples, retirees, equestrian fans, and higher-income golf travelers.
Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Aiken, so this profile omits them. Aiken has no comprehensive STR ordinance yet, though city council began drafting one in 2026, so investors should read the regulatory section before underwriting a purchase.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 52% |
| Feb | 63% |
| Mar | 65% |
| Apr | 49% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 62% |
| Jul | 62% |
| Aug | 56% |
| Sep | 59% |
| Oct | 55% |
| Nov | 57% |
| Dec | 53% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Aiken are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Augusta market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Augusta market as a whole, which includes Aiken, so these counts are not Aiken-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 54 | 1,050 | ★ 4.58 |
| 2 | Garden City Hosts | 40 | 709 | ★ 4.91 |
| 3 | Aiken Vacation Rentals | 34 | 1,595 | ★ 4.98 |
| 4 | Evans Real Estate Group | 34 | 1,596 | ★ 4.86 |
| 5 | Optiv | 24 | 2,889 | ★ 4.87 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Aiken?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Aiken 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 | 61.3% |
| vrbo | 6.4% |
| both | 32.3% |
Home Value Trends (Aiken)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Aiken 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 Aiken — 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 currently permitted in Aiken, South Carolina, but the rules are in transition. The city does not yet have a comprehensive STR ordinance. City Council held its first formal STR work session on April 13, 2026, after state preemption legislation failed in November 2025, and a new framework is expected through the Unified Development Ordinance update. No new rules had taken effect as of May 2026.
Under the current framework, operators need a City of Aiken business license, which is revenue-based with a base fee of $25 to $55 and renews annually. No STR-specific permit exists yet. Operators must also register to collect and remit the city’s 3% Local Accommodations Tax by the 20th of each month and separately remit South Carolina state taxes totaling 7% (5% sales tax plus 2% state accommodations tax). The combined tax burden is about 10% of gross rental receipts.
Zoning is the main hurdle. Not all City of Aiken districts allow STRs. The current ordinance treats lodging of fewer than 30 days as owner-occupied Bed and Breakfast use in select residential zones, with some exceptions in Downtown Business District zones. A Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals is required in certain districts. Enforcement severity is rated minimal, and many operators work in a gray area today.
The proposed ordinance under discussion could add annual STR permits, HOA approval requirements, guest registration, density caps, and possible night limits by zone type. Aiken County outside city limits follows separate, currently less restrictive rules. New restrictions could take effect in late 2026 or 2027, so monitor the process closely.
Market Comparison
The Augusta-Aiken area leans on occupancy more than on nightly rate. September 2026 occupancy was 58.4% with a $146 ADR. Entire-place rentals at $157 and professionally managed listings at $170 earn more per night than the all-listings figure, and luxury listings at $397 sit far above it.
That combination means revenue per listing of $2,081 a month depends on keeping rooms full rather than on high nightly rates. The 8.6% year-over-year ADR gain shows rates are rising, but the 5.1% occupancy decline shows the occupancy cushion is shrinking.
The lower rate level also reflects lower entry costs. The typical Aiken home value of $283,665 is accessible compared with many resort markets, which can help investors who rely on steady occupancy rather than peak pricing. Event spikes in March and April are a major reason annual results look healthier than any single off-season month.
Top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Aiken, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aiken, South Carolina
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