Cayce, South Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Cayce and Columbia, SC STRs averaged $182/night at 67.2% occupancy in April 2026, with revenue up 3.5% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Cayce, South Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 69%. average monthly revenue is $3,473. average daily rate is $184. the top operator is Heartwood Furnished Homes with 216 listings. market score is 93/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Columbia, SC regional market, which includes Cayce. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cayce.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Cayce and Columbia metro short-term rental market contains approximately 2,617 active listings in the Lexington County / Cayce area of South Carolina. Listings skew toward urban and suburban formats: entire-place units account for 2,275 of 2,617 listings, with 330 private rooms. The bedroom distribution is relatively balanced, with 1-bedroom units leading at 770, followed by 3-bedroom (726), 2-bedroom (679), 4-bedroom (302), and 5-bedroom (134).
As of April 2026, ADR is $181.80 and occupancy is 67.2%, producing RevPAR of $122.14. Year-over-year, occupancy rose 3.2 percentage points, ADR gained 1.1%, and revenue increased 3.5%. All three metrics are positive, making this one of the stronger-trending markets in this analysis. The channel split shows Airbnb dominance: 1,374 Airbnb-only listings, 1,119 on both platforms, and 124 VRBO-only. The overall market score is 93.0 out of 100, with strong rental demand (88.1), investability (91.3), and revenue growth (70.1) scores.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50% | $113 | $1,653 |
| Feb | 62% | $118 | $1,855 |
| Mar | 65% | $132 | $2,288 |
| Apr | 63% | $146 | $2,509 |
| May | 59% | $159 | $2,477 |
| Jun | 66% | $155 | $2,727 |
| Jul | 67% | $147 | $2,704 |
| Aug | 65% | $155 | $2,658 |
| Sep | 58% | $154 | $2,333 |
| Oct | 58% | $148 | $2,397 |
| Nov | 57% | $154 | $2,405 |
| Dec | 50% | $127 | $1,955 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Cayce
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heartwood Furnished Homes | 216 | 14,754 | ★ 4.75 |
| 2 | Evolve | 51 | 1,922 | ★ 4.70 |
| 3 | Patriot Family Homes | 42 | 2,275 | ★ 4.25 |
| 4 | Casago | 33 | 515 | ★ 4.21 |
| 5 | Be Our Guest | 30 | 1,698 | ★ 4.64 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cayce?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 770 |
| 2 bed | 679 |
| 3 bed | 726 |
| 4 bed | 302 |
| 5 bed | 134 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $197 |
| Luxury | $323 |
| Professionally Managed | $232 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,402 |
| Entire Place | $3,726 |
| House | $3,806 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.5% |
| vrbo | 4.7% |
| both | 42.8% |
Investment Analysis
Cayce and the Columbia metro offer one of the more accessible entry points for STR investors in the Southeast. The typical home value was $212,812 as of April 2026. Using the 2025 annual average monthly revenue of $2,961, annualized gross revenue is approximately $35,532. Against the $212,812 typical home value, that implies a gross yield near 16.7% before expenses, debt service, and operating costs — among the higher gross yields of any urban STR market.
Entire-place listings average $3,612/month in April 2026, and houses average $3,571/month. Apartment-style units average $2,659/month, reflecting more consistent but lower-ceiling income. The ADR tier spread is moderate: luxury properties average $298.01/night, 64% above the all-listings average of $181.80. Professionally managed properties average $236.73/night, a 30% premium over the market average, suggesting strong upside for operators who invest in quality management.
Revenue has grown from $1,757/month in 2017 to $2,961 in 2025, a 68% increase over eight years. The 2026 year-to-date average through April is $2,671/month, tracking slightly below the 2025 full-year rate, though April alone came in at $3,348 as occupancy hit 67.2%. The occupancy trend is upward: annual average occupancy rose from 60.5% in 2025 to 63.2% so far in 2026.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Guests in the Cayce and Columbia metro area book an average of 41.5 days in advance and stay an average of 3.94 nights. The 41-day lead time is consistent with a mix of business and leisure travelers: business travelers often book 4-6 weeks out for government or university travel, while leisure visitors plan weekend trips on shorter notice. The 3.94-night average stay is longer than typical weekend-only markets, likely reflecting the extended-stay and corporate relocation demand associated with the Columbia state capital market.
Heartwood Furnished Homes’ dominant presence at 216 listings (8.3% of market) signals that furnished corporate and government housing demand is significant. Operators who position units for 3-7 night stays for USC or state government visitors can capture this steady mid-week demand segment that pure weekend-leisure markets lack.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cayce and the surrounding Lexington County area operate under two regulatory frameworks depending on whether a property is within Cayce city limits or in unincorporated Lexington County.
Within Cayce city limits, all non-owner-occupied rental properties must obtain a Rental Registration under Chapter 10, Article IV of the Cayce Code of Ordinances. A responsible party must reside or maintain an office within 75 miles of the city. An Occupancy Label must be posted at the unit. Operating without registration draws a written warning and 20 working days to come into compliance before further enforcement.
In unincorporated Lexington County (effective January 1, 2025), STRs require an annual Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit at $320 per property. STRs are permitted in all zoning districts. Key rules include a minimum guest age of 25, a 2-person-per-bedroom occupancy cap (excluding children under 5), a written parking plan, a nuisance abatement plan, and a local contact who can respond on-site within 45 minutes. A first violation carries a $500 fine. Two violations within 365 days triggers immediate permit revocation, with reinstatement requiring Board of Zoning Appeals approval. There is no owner-occupancy requirement and no cap on annual rental nights.
The combined occupancy tax rate is 10%: 5% South Carolina state sales tax plus 2% state accommodations tax plus 3% City of Cayce local accommodations tax. There is no minimum stay requirement under city rules, though Lexington County requires 1 night minimum by definition.
Market Comparison
Cayce’s ADR of $182 sits below the US STR median ADR of approximately $220, consistent with an inland urban market without beach or mountain premium. However, occupancy at 67.2% in April 2026 substantially exceeds the US STR median of roughly 55%, reflecting strong, consistent demand from Columbia metro demand drivers. RevPAR of $122.14 is competitive for the price tier.
Heartwood Furnished Homes is the clear dominant operator with 216 listings and 14,754 reviews at a 4.75 rating, suggesting a well-established corporate housing focus. Evolve follows with 51 listings at a 4.70 rating, Patriot Family Homes holds 42 listings at a 4.25 rating, Casago manages 33 listings at a 4.21 rating, and Be Our Guest operates 30 listings at a 4.64 rating. The top 5 collectively manage 372 listings, about 14.2% of market inventory, a higher concentration than most leisure markets, driven by Heartwood’s dominant share.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cayce, South Carolina
What is the average daily rate for Airbnb rentals in Cayce, SC?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in the Columbia, SC metro area?
How much can an Airbnb host earn per month in Cayce or Columbia, SC?
Do you need a permit to operate an STR in Cayce or Lexington County, SC?
What is the occupancy tax rate for STRs in Cayce, SC?
What is the overall market score for the Columbia, SC STR market?
Who are the top property managers in the Cayce and Columbia, SC STR market?
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