Houston, Texas Short-Term Rental Market
Greater Houston STR listings averaged $145 ADR, 53.5% occupancy and $2,165 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Houston, Texas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Houston market area is 53%. average monthly revenue in the Houston market area is $2,165. average daily rate in the Houston market area is $145. the top operator in the Houston market area is Phillip Houston Property Manager with 439 listings. market score is 55/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the wider Houston market, which covers 32 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Houston.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The performance figures on this page describe the Greater Houston STR market, a regional series that Houston shares with Humble, Kingwood, Cypress and Conroe. Every ADR, occupancy and revenue number below applies to that region rather than to the city alone. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Houston, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026, short term rentals in the Greater Houston STR market averaged an ADR of $145 and occupancy of 53.5%, which produced average monthly revenue of $2,165 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 1.0% and ADR rose 8.8%, while revenue fell 1.8%. Rate and occupancy gains therefore did not translate into higher average revenue in the month.
The longer record shows a mature market. Average occupancy was 61.5% in 2021, when ADR was $134 and monthly revenue was $2,239. By 2025 occupancy had eased to 57.6%, ADR had climbed to $152 and monthly revenue reached $2,473. The first nine months of 2026 show occupancy of 56.3% and monthly revenue of $2,604. Revenue growth over this period has come from price, not from fuller calendars.
Structure matters for income. Entire places averaged $2,423 in monthly revenue and houses averaged $2,334, while apartments averaged $1,883.
The demand base is large. Houston has a population of 2,390,125 and welcomed 53.9 million visitors in 2024, and the greater metro area drew more than 92 million. Space Center Houston alone draws more than 1 million visitors a year, and the Museum District and the downtown convention district add year round demand from leisure and business travelers. Houston adopted its first STR ordinance in 2025, and registration has been required since January 1, 2026, so investors should treat compliance as part of the underwriting.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 53% |
| Feb | 60% |
| Mar | 64% |
| Apr | 57% |
| May | 60% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 64% |
| Aug | 58% |
| Sep | 57% |
| Oct | 58% |
| Nov | 56% |
| Dec | 55% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Houston are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Houston market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Houston market as a whole, which includes Houston, so these counts are not Houston-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phillip Houston Property Manager | 439 | 17,180 | ★ 4.51 |
| 2 | Evolve | 358 | 8,378 | ★ 4.48 |
| 3 | Landing, Inc. | 275 | 394 | ★ 3.85 |
| 4 | Landing | 243 | 173 | ★ 3.42 |
| 5 | Lodgeur | 142 | 2,162 | ★ 4.77 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Houston?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Houston 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 | 60.3% |
| vrbo | 4.4% |
| both | 35.3% |
Home Value Trends (Houston)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Houston 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 Houston — 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
The rules below apply within Houston city limits, and nearby towns may follow different rules. Short term rentals are permitted in Houston, and an ordinance adopted on April 16, 2025 took effect January 1, 2026. Registration opened October 1, 2025, after the original deadline was extended. Platforms began removing unregistered listings on April 1, 2026.
Every STR within city limits must hold a Certificate of Registration issued by the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department. The application fee is $275 plus a $33.10 administrative fee, a total of $308.10, and the registration renews annually. Operators must carry at least $1 million in liability insurance while the property is offered for rent, complete an approved human trafficking prevention training course, designate a 24 hour local emergency contact, and display the certificate and contact details on site.
There is no annual cap on nights, no owner occupancy requirement and no primary residence requirement. The minimum stay is one night. Houston has no traditional zoning code, so the ordinance applies citywide to any dwelling unit rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. HOA covenants can still restrict STR use independent of city rules.
The Hotel Occupancy Tax totals 17%, made up of 6% state, 4% county and sports authority and 7% city. City tax is paid quarterly to Houston First Corporation.
Enforcement is rated moderate. Violations carry fines of $100 to $500 per day. Two or more noise citations within 12 months may trigger revocation, and three or more revocations within 24 months can lead the city to revoke every certificate held by that operator. Platforms must remove noncompliant listings within 10 days of city notification.
Market Comparison
The Greater Houston STR market posted September 2026 occupancy of 53.5% and an all-listings ADR of $145. Entire places at $166 and professionally managed listings at $172 sit above that average, and the luxury tier reaches $254.
The market pairs moderate rates with a modest entry price. The typical home value of $265,010 is modest for a market of 2,390,125 residents, and ADR is rising, up 8.8% year over year. Occupancy is up 1.0% year over year, which suggests demand is stable even as rates climb.
The market also differs in demand mix. Houston received 53.9 million visitors in 2024, and its visitor profile is spread across leisure at 41.1%, business at 13.4% and visits to friends and relatives at 45.5%. That mix reduces dependence on a single season, which is why the occupancy range stays between 52.8% and 64.2% through the year. Two major airports handled roughly 63 million passengers, and 18 citywide conventions were projected for 2025. Investors who want higher rates need to target the luxury or professionally managed tiers, while investors who want a lower cost of entry and steady occupancy will find the broader market more suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houston, Texas
What is the average Airbnb ADR in Houston?
What is the average STR occupancy rate in Houston?
How much does a short term rental earn per month in Houston?
Do I need a permit to run an STR in Houston?
Does Houston limit the number of nights or require owner occupancy?
What taxes apply to Houston short term rentals?
When is the best time of year for Houston STR income?
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