Port Aransas, Texas Short-Term Rental Market
Port Aransas STRs averaged $281/night at 40.7% occupancy in April 2026, with revenue up 8.8% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Port Aransas, Texas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Corpus Christi market area is 67%. average monthly revenue in the Corpus Christi market area is $8,251. average daily rate in the Corpus Christi market area is $444. the top operator in the Corpus Christi market area is Life In Paradise Vacation Rentals with 820 listings. market score is 68/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Corpus Christi regional market, which includes Port Aransas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Port Aransas.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Port Aransas, Texas is a Gulf Coast STR market on Mustang Island, drawing roughly 1.2 million visitors annually. As of April 2026, the market holds approximately 9,386 active listings, with 9,284 entire-place units, 101 private rooms, and 1 shared room. The average daily rate is $281, occupancy sits at 40.7%, and RevPAR is $114.
The bedroom distribution is well-spread: 2-bedroom listings lead with 2,675, followed by 1-bedroom (2,439), 3-bedroom (2,383), 4-bedroom (1,250), and 5-bedroom-plus (614). Cross-platform listings are dominant: 6,174 properties list on both Airbnb and VRBO, reflecting the strong VRBO presence in this coastal Texas market. Airbnb-exclusive listings total 1,984 and VRBO-exclusive 1,228.
Year-over-year as of April 2026, occupancy rose 1.5%, ADR declined 0.9%, and revenue increased 8.8%. The revenue gain despite flat ADR reflects improved occupancy and mix. The market total score is 68.3 out of 100, with an investability score of 82.9 and revenue growth score of 93.6. The seasonality score of 43.4 reflects the significant summer concentration of demand in this market.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 35% |
| Feb | 51% |
| Mar | 54% |
| Apr | 42% |
| May | 50% |
| Jun | 68% |
| Jul | 70% |
| Aug | 48% |
| Sep | 38% |
| Oct | 38% |
| Nov | 35% |
| Dec | 32% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Port Aransas are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Corpus Christi market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Corpus Christi market as a whole, which includes Port Aransas, so these counts are not Port Aransas-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life In Paradise Vacation Rentals | 820 | 17,831 | ★ 4.63 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 616 | 29,795 | ★ 4.60 |
| 3 | Cinnamon Shore | 358 | 7,582 | ★ 4.71 |
| 4 | Padre Escapes | 337 | 16,532 | ★ 4.62 |
| 5 | Port A Escapes | 307 | 12,686 | ★ 4.60 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Port Aransas?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Port Aransas 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 | 21.1% |
| vrbo | 13.1% |
| both | 65.8% |
Home Value Trends (Port Aransas)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Port Aransas 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 Port Aransas — 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
Port Aransas is one of the most STR-permissive markets on the Texas coast. Non-owner-occupied STRs are explicitly allowed across the majority of the city. Any rental of 30 days or less requires registration under Ordinance 2022-02 (Chapter 12, Article VIII). The annual permit fee is $175 per dwelling unit, expiring December 31 each year regardless of when issued.
Operators must submit owner contact information, property details, and the name and 24-hour phone number of a local contact who must respond to complaints within 60 minutes. Each property must post a placard with the registration number near the primary entrance, provide a tenant information sheet, and maintain at least one fire extinguisher per floor. Maximum occupancy is two adults per sleeping room plus four additional adults (children not counted).
The total lodging tax collected from guests is 15%, comprising 9% city Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax and 6% state HOT. The city rate increased from 7% to 9% effective January 1, 2026, following voter approval in November 2024. Airbnb and VRBO do not remit the city portion, so operators must file the city HOT directly at portaransas.munirevs.com. STRs are permitted in R-2 and higher residential zones (over 85% of the city’s residential area) and are prohibited in zones designated for permanent residents such as Channel Vista. New construction faces tightened density standards. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
Port Aransas’ 40.7% April occupancy is below the national STR median of approximately 55%, which accurately reflects the market’s seasonal concentration. The ADR of $281 is above the US median of approximately $220, driven by beach-market premiums, particularly during summer.
The operator landscape is among the most professionally managed of any coastal Texas market. Life In Paradise Vacation Rentals leads with 820 listings, 17,831 reviews, and a 4.63 rating, representing approximately 8.7% of the market. Vacasa holds 616 listings with 29,795 reviews at a 4.60 rating (6.6% share). Cinnamon Shore operates 358 listings (4.71 rating), Padre Escapes holds 337 (4.62 rating), and Port A Escapes manages 307 (4.60 rating). Collectively the top five operators control 2,438 listings, or approximately 26% of the market, one of the highest professional concentration rates in the dataset.
This high PM concentration drives the 21% ADR premium for professionally managed listings ($339 vs $281) and reflects the operational complexity of managing high-turnover beach properties at scale. Independent operators compete primarily on price and personalized service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Port Aransas, Texas
What is the average nightly rate for STRs in Port Aransas?
How much can a Port Aransas STR earn per month?
Do I need a permit to operate a short-term rental in Port Aransas?
What tax do STR guests pay in Port Aransas?
When is peak season for STRs in Port Aransas?
Who are the top property managers in Port Aransas?
Is Port Aransas a good STR investment market?
Analyze Port Aransas Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Port Aransas.
Free Port Aransas STR Calculator →
