Charleston, South Carolina Short-Term Rental Market
Charleston requires owner-occupancy for most STRs; the area averaged $415 ADR, 60.8% occupancy and $6,780 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Charleston, South Carolina is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Charleston market area is 61%. average monthly revenue in the Charleston market area is $6,780. average daily rate in the Charleston market area is $415. the top operator in the Charleston market area is Vacasa with 440 listings. market score is 75/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the wider Charleston market, which covers 11 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Charleston.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Charleston STR performance for September 2026 is measured across the Charleston area STR market, a shared Lowcountry data set. Every performance figure on this page describes that area, while the permit rules below apply to the City of Charleston. In September 2026 the average daily rate was $415, occupancy was 60.8%, and the average listing earned $6,780 for the month. Against a year earlier, occupancy rose 6.7%, ADR rose 4.8% and monthly revenue rose 7.9%. The first nine months of 2026 average 66.2% occupancy, a $434 ADR and $7,903 in monthly revenue, ahead of the full 2025 figures of 62.5%, $401 and $7,037. Occupancy has stayed between 61.2% and 66.2% in every year since 2021, while ADR climbed from $300 in 2021 to $401 in 2025. Because September falls between the summer peak and the winter trough, it is a useful midpoint reading, and the seasonal section shows how far the market swings either side of it. Demand has a deep visitor base behind it. Charleston drew 7.89 million visitors in 2024, generating a record $14.03 billion in economic impact, and the airport handled a record 6.29 million passengers. Hotels ran 70.6% occupancy at a $186 average daily rate, well below the STR rate in the area. Charleston has 162,499 residents, so visitor demand is large relative to the local population. Bedroom, channel, listing-type and top-operator data are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Charleston, so this profile omits it.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 39% |
| Feb | 57% |
| Mar | 68% |
| Apr | 66% |
| May | 66% |
| Jun | 75% |
| Jul | 74% |
| Aug | 63% |
| Sep | 56% |
| Oct | 59% |
| Nov | 49% |
| Dec | 44% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Charleston are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Charleston market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Charleston market as a whole, which includes Charleston, so these counts are not Charleston-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 440 | 27,869 | ★ 4.57 |
| 2 | Stay Duvet | 368 | 42,749 | ★ 4.84 |
| 3 | Casago | 291 | 9,129 | ★ 4.56 |
| 4 | Sweetgrass Vacation Rentals | 274 | 9,186 | ★ 4.74 |
| 5 | Akers Ellis Real Estate & Rentals | 268 | 8,693 | ★ 4.73 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Charleston?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Charleston 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 | 26.6% |
| vrbo | 10% |
| both | 63.4% |
Home Value Trends (Charleston)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Charleston 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 Charleston — 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
Charleston has among the most restrictive STR ordinances of any major U.S. tourism market, and enforcement is rated strict. STRs are permitted and a permit is required. The ordinance took effect July 10, 2018 and has been actively enforced since August 2024. These rules apply to the City of Charleston. Residential STR permits (Categories 1, 2 and 3) require the property to be the owner’s primary residence, with the owner living there at least 183 days per year. Whole-house STRs for non-owner-occupants are prohibited in residential zones city-wide. Commercial STR Permits are available only in the STR Overlay Zone, need no owner-occupancy, and cover properties typically valued at $1 million or more. Residential permits cost $350 initially and $200 to renew annually. Commercial permits cost $500 initially and $300 to renew. Operators must display the permit number in listings, carry $1 million in liability insurance, pass a fire safety inspection and keep a 24/7 local contact reachable within 30 minutes. Occupancy is capped at four adults, at least three off-street parking spaces are required, and events and parties are not permitted. No annual night cap is specified. Total accommodations tax in Charleston County is 14%. Charleston is the only U.S. city reported to criminally prosecute illegal operators, working 60 to 100 active cases at a time, and about 1,300 of an estimated 1,600 online listings were identified as illegal in an enforcement sweep. In 2025 Charleston County began pursuing zoning amendments to add penalties for unpermitted operators in unincorporated areas.
Market Comparison
The Charleston area STR market posted 60.8% occupancy and a $415 ADR in September 2026, and year-to-date 2026 runs 66.2% occupancy at a $434 ADR. Against the local hotel market, which ran 70.6% occupancy at a $186 ADR in 2024, STRs trade lower occupancy for a nightly rate more than twice as high. Revenue growth of 7.9% year over year points to continued strength. Market performance is only half of the picture, though. Unlike many US markets where an investor can buy and list, Charleston limits residential permits to owner-occupants and enforces the rule strictly, so access to the market, not demand, is the differentiator. Buyers comparing Charleston with other destinations should price in the permit pathway, the four adult occupancy cap and the 14% accommodations tax alongside the revenue figures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charleston, South Carolina
What is the average Airbnb rate in Charleston?
Can I run an STR in Charleston if I do not live there?
How much does a Charleston STR permit cost?
What are the best and worst months for Charleston STR revenue?
How much can a Charleston area STR earn in a year?
Is the Charleston STR market growing?
How strict is STR enforcement in Charleston?
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