Sevierville, Tennessee Short-Term Rental Market
Sevierville STRs averaged $319/night at 54.2% occupancy in April 2026, across roughly 22,955 listings in one of Tennessee's largest STR markets.
Quick Answer: Sevierville, Tennessee is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 54%. average monthly revenue is $4,912. average daily rate is $319. the top operator is Vacasa with 560 listings. market score is 81/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Sevierville, Tennessee is the primary gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains tourism corridor alongside Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, and it operates one of the largest short-term rental markets in the South with approximately 22,955 tracked listings. Sevier County recorded approximately 13.2 million visitors in 2024, generating $3.93 billion in visitor spending, ranking third among Tennessee’s 95 counties.
In April 2026, the market recorded a 54.2% occupancy rate and a $319.39 average daily rate, producing a RevPAR of $173.06. Year-over-year trends show modest softening: occupancy down 1.4 percentage points, ADR down 0.4%, and monthly revenue down 2.4%, reflecting the absorption of significant supply growth that has characterized the post-pandemic Smoky Mountain STR market.
By listing type, the market is almost entirely entire-place rentals (22,855 units), with 94 private rooms and 6 shared rooms, consistent with the cabin-and-vacation-home model that defines this destination. By bedroom count, two-bedroom (7,063) and three-bedroom (4,999) properties are the largest segments, followed by one-bedroom (4,819), five-bedroom-plus (3,056), and four-bedroom (3,001). Channel distribution shows very heavy dual-platform presence: 17,126 listings appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, 3,496 are Airbnb-only, and 2,333 are VRBO-only. The market scores 91.6 on rental demand and 97.7 on investability.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $277 | $3,006 |
| Feb | 41% | $276 | $2,954 |
| Mar | 61% | $286 | $4,874 |
| Apr | 54% | $282 | $4,313 |
| May | 54% | $278 | $4,052 |
| Jun | 74% | $328 | $6,524 |
| Jul | 75% | $319 | $6,581 |
| Aug | 60% | $288 | $4,977 |
| Sep | 57% | $272 | $4,262 |
| Oct | 71% | $300 | $6,063 |
| Nov | 61% | $307 | $5,169 |
| Dec | 60% | $328 | $5,617 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Sevierville
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 560 | 42,839 | ★ 4.44 |
| 2 | Cabins for You | 461 | 14,810 | ★ 4.32 |
| 3 | Avada | 424 | 32,880 | ★ 4.72 |
| 4 | American Patriot Getaways | 423 | 2,487 | ★ 4.51 |
| 5 | Evolve | 371 | 34,044 | ★ 4.56 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Sevierville?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 4,819 |
| 2 bed | 7,063 |
| 3 bed | 4,999 |
| 4 bed | 3,001 |
| 5 bed | 3,056 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $320 |
| Luxury | $486 |
| Professionally Managed | $341 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,614 |
| Entire Place | $4,917 |
| House | $5,298 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 15.2% |
| vrbo | 10.2% |
| both | 74.6% |
Investment Analysis
At a $415,594 typical home value and $4,912 average monthly revenue (April 2026), Sevierville produces an estimated gross annualized yield of approximately 14.2% before platform fees, taxes, and operating costs (($4,912 x 12) / $415,594). This headline yield reflects the strong demand base and moderate property values relative to revenue potential, though the 2025 annual average of $5,614 per month implies an even higher annualized gross yield of approximately 16.2% using that full-year average.
Tier separation is consistent with market norms. The all-listings average ADR is $319.39. Entire-home properties averaged $319.56, nearly identical to the market average given the market’s overwhelmingly entire-place composition. Professionally managed properties averaged $341.14, a 7% premium. Luxury-tier properties averaged $486.20, a 52% premium. By property type, houses generate $5,298 in average monthly revenue versus $4,917 for entire-place listings broadly and $2,614 for apartments, a gap that reflects the demand for standalone cabin and chalet experiences.
The sale-to-list ratio of 0.736 and 48-day median to pending indicate a buyer-favorable market with room to negotiate below list price, which is notable given the area’s strong rental yields. Investors should note that Sevier County reclassified STR properties to commercial property tax assessment rates effective 2023, increasing annual property tax costs. The three-strikes enforcement rule (three documented violations resulting in permanent permit loss) also creates operational risk that requires attention to occupancy caps, noise, and parking management.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
Run a Free Address Analysis
Skip the market averages. Get revenue projections, comp analysis, and ROI for your specific property address. Free, instant, no signup required.
Analyze My Property →Home Value Trends (Sevierville)
Booking Insights
Guests booking Sevierville properties plan an average of 49.2 days ahead, roughly seven weeks out. For a market with 13.2 million annual visitors and a heavy event-driven calendar (Dollywood seasons, foliage season, spring break), this moderate lead time reflects the mix of planful vacationers who book the popular fall and summer dates weeks in advance and more spontaneous weekend cabin bookings year-round.
The average length of stay is 3.43 nights, one of the shorter averages in this batch, consistent with the Smoky Mountain market’s attraction for long-weekend cabin getaways rather than full-week stays. The short stay length means high turnover frequency: at 3.43 nights average, an operator could theoretically accommodate approximately 106 stays per year at 100% occupancy. A 3-night minimum during peak summer and fall foliage periods captures the dominant booking pattern, while 2-night minimums in slower months like January-February prevent mid-week gaps from accumulating.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Sevierville and Sevier County operate a dual permit system reflecting city versus unincorporated county jurisdiction. Operators must first determine which jurisdiction applies to their parcel.
Within Sevierville city limits: an Annual STR Operational Permit is required from the Sevierville Fire Department. The initial fee is approximately $150; renewal is $50 per year. A mandatory life-safety inspection must pass before the permit is issued and annually thereafter. Operators also need a city business license and must carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance. City lodging tax is 3% of gross rental proceeds, due by the 20th of each month. Tennessee state sales tax adds approximately 9.75% (7% state plus 2.75% local option).
In unincorporated Sevier County: the County Fire Marshal administers a separate Short-Term Rental Unit (STRU) permit program effective January 1, 2024. The annual fee is $250 for units sleeping 12 or fewer, with additional charges for larger units. County lodging tax is also 3%. A three-strikes enforcement rule applies countywide: three documented violations (noise, trash, parking, or occupancy) can result in permanent loss of operating rights. Operating without a permit can result in significant fines.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement under either jurisdiction, and no published annual night cap. However, Sevier County reclassified STR properties to commercial property tax assessment rates effective 2023, increasing annual property tax costs for investors. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit platform taxes automatically; direct-booking operators must remit independently.
Market Comparison
Sevierville’s 54.2% April 2026 occupancy is near the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, and its $319.39 ADR is well above the national median of approximately $220. The rental demand score of 91.6 reflects the durable visitor volume of the Great Smoky Mountains corridor. The RevPAR of $173.06 is strong for a market of this size and diversification.
The professional management layer is mature and large-scale. Vacasa leads with 560 listings and 42,839 reviews at a 4.436 rating, the highest listing count in the top five. Cabins for You (461 listings, 4.324 rating) and Avada (424 listings, 4.722 rating) are established Smoky Mountain specialists. American Patriot Getaways (423 listings, 4.505 rating) and Evolve (371 listings, 4.558 rating) round out the top five. The top five operators together manage approximately 2,239 of roughly 22,955 total market listings, or about 9.8% of supply, indicating that independent operators still dominate despite the presence of large national and regional managers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sevierville, Tennessee
What is the average daily rate for short-term rentals in Sevierville?
What occupancy rate do Sevierville vacation rentals achieve?
How much revenue can a Sevierville cabin or vacation rental generate?
Do I need a permit to operate a short-term rental in Sevierville?
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Sevierville?
When is peak season for Sevierville vacation rentals?
Who are the largest property management companies in Sevierville?
Analyze Sevierville Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Sevierville.
Free Sevierville STR Calculator →
