Aiken, South Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Aiken, SC STRs averaged $347/night at 49.3% occupancy in April 2026, elevated by Masters Golf Tournament demand from nearby Augusta, GA.
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 $2,569. average daily rate in the Augusta market area is $168. 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
The Aiken, SC short-term rental market encompasses approximately 4,240 active listings serving a mix of equestrian event attendees, Masters Golf Tournament visitors, outdoor recreationists, and year-round leisure travelers. The market leans toward entire-place inventory (3,762 of 4,244 listings), with a more balanced bedroom distribution than resort markets: 1-bedroom units lead at 1,058, followed by 3-bedroom (1,113), 2-bedroom (1,011), 4-bedroom (633), and 5-bedroom (425). Private rooms represent a meaningful share at 480 listings, reflecting the urban character of the market.
April 2026 metrics are substantially elevated by the Masters Golf Tournament held annually in Augusta, GA, 20 miles away. In April 2026, ADR reached $346.71 with occupancy at 49.3%, producing RevPAR of $170.89. Year-over-year in April 2026, revenue declined 7.3%, likely reflecting softer Masters demand compared to the prior year. The non-Masters baseline ADR is closer to $124-158 based on the seasonal average for non-April months.
Channel distribution shows Airbnb dominance: 2,601 Airbnb-only listings, 1,372 on both platforms, and only 271 VRBO-only. The market’s overall score is 58.9 out of 100, with strong investability (93.6) but moderate revenue growth (42.9) and seasonality (85.1) scores.
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
As of April 2026, Aiken does not have a comprehensive STR ordinance. City Council held its first formal STR work session on April 13, 2026, and a new ordinance is expected through the Unified Development Ordinance update process, potentially taking effect in late 2026 or 2027.
Under the current framework, operators must: (1) obtain a City of Aiken business license, with a base fee of $25 scaled to gross receipts, renewed annually; (2) collect and remit Aiken’s 3% Local Accommodations Tax directly to the city by the 20th of each month; and (3) separately remit South Carolina state taxes of 7% (5% statewide sales tax plus 2% state accommodations tax). The combined occupancy tax rate is approximately 10% of gross rental receipts.
Zoning is the primary current constraint. Under the existing code, overnight lodging under 30 days is technically permitted only in select residential zones as owner-occupied Bed and Breakfast establishments and in certain downtown business zones. Enforcement has been minimal. Aiken County (outside city limits) operates under separate, currently less-regulated rules.
Investors should monitor the UDO process closely. The proposed ordinance under discussion includes annual STR permits, HOA approval requirements, guest registration, density caps, and potential night-per-year limits by zone. Properties outside city limits in Aiken County face fewer current restrictions.
Market Comparison
Aiken’s April ADR of $347 compares to a US STR median ADR of approximately $220, though Aiken’s non-event ADR of $124-158 is below the national median. The April premium is event-specific rather than structural. April occupancy of 49.3% is below the US STR median of roughly 55%, though the year-round floor (minimum 49% outside April) is notably steady for a smaller market.
The PM landscape is fragmented and locally oriented. Evolve leads with 54 listings and 1,050 reviews at a 4.58 rating. Garden City Hosts operates 40 listings with a 4.91 rating, and Aiken Vacation Rentals manages 34 listings with an exceptional 4.98 rating. Evans Real Estate Group also holds 34 listings at a 4.86 rating, and Optiv manages 24 listings at a 4.87 rating. The top 5 operators collectively manage 186 listings, just 4.4% of total market inventory, making this one of the most owner-operated markets in this analysis. The high ratings among local PMs suggest guest experience is well-maintained at the managed tier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aiken, South Carolina
What is the average daily rate for Airbnb rentals in Aiken, SC?
How does the Masters Golf Tournament affect Aiken STR rates?
How much can an Airbnb host earn per month in Aiken, SC?
Do you need a permit to operate an Airbnb in Aiken, SC?
What is the occupancy tax rate for STRs in Aiken, SC?
What is the STR market score for Aiken, SC?
Which property managers operate in the Aiken, SC STR market?
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