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 is 41%. average monthly revenue is $3,252. average daily rate is $281. the top operator is Life In Paradise Vacation Rentals with 820 listings. market score is 68/100 (grade C).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex 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 | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35% | $191 | $1,780 |
| Feb | 51% | $209 | $2,233 |
| Mar | 54% | $292 | $3,752 |
| Apr | 42% | $270 | $3,019 |
| May | 49% | $317 | $4,016 |
| Jun | 68% | $369 | $6,517 |
| Jul | 70% | $362 | $6,885 |
| Aug | 48% | $331 | $4,588 |
| Sep | 38% | $273 | $2,875 |
| Oct | 38% | $243 | $2,526 |
| Nov | 35% | $225 | $2,103 |
| Dec | 32% | $222 | $1,939 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Port Aransas
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | 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 pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,439 |
| 2 bed | 2,675 |
| 3 bed | 2,383 |
| 4 bed | 1,250 |
| 5 bed | 614 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $284 |
| Luxury | $452 |
| Professionally Managed | $339 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,604 |
| Entire Place | $3,273 |
| House | $3,930 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 21.1% |
| vrbo | 13.1% |
| both | 65.8% |
Investment Analysis
Port Aransas presents a clear summer-peak investment case. The average listing earned $3,252 in April 2026, and annualizing April revenue projects to approximately $39,000 per year. Against a typical home value of $563,890, the gross yield implied by April-annualized revenue is approximately 6.9%. The sale-to-list ratio of 0.775 indicates properties are selling at a meaningful discount to asking price, with median days to pending at 61 days and 511 active listings suggesting a buyer-favorable market as of April 2026.
The revenue per listing picture differs significantly by property type. House listings averaged $3,930 per month, entire-place listings broadly averaged $3,273, and apartment listings averaged $2,604. The luxury tier commands an ADR of $452 versus the all-listings average of $281, a 61% premium. Professionally managed listings average $339 ADR, a 21% premium over the market average, reflecting the meaningful rate advantage that large operators deliver.
The investability score of 82.9 is notably high, supported by the permissive regulatory environment (no owner-occupancy requirement, STRs allowed in over 85% of residential zones), strong revenue growth trajectory, and improving occupancy trend. The median sale price of $510,833 sits below the typical home value of $563,890, suggesting the resale market may provide entry points below Zillow’s estimated value.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Port Aransas bookings in April 2026 averaged a lead time of 38.9 days, or just over five weeks. This is a short booking window for a coastal beach market, suggesting many guests make decisions in the 30 to 45 day range. During peak summer weekends, bookings may come earlier, so the April average likely reflects a blend of last-minute fills and structured summer advance bookings.
The average length of stay is 3.4 nights, consistent with extended weekend visits from Texas metros. Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas are the primary feeder markets, all within a 4 to 6 hour drive. The drive-market dynamic encourages 3 to 4 night stays over weekend plus one or two extra days.
For pricing strategy, the 39-day average lead time means rates should be solidified by 4 to 6 weeks before arrival. Spring break (March) and summer peak weeks are the exception: experienced operators set and hold pricing 60 to 90 days out for those windows. Minimum stays of 3 to 4 nights during peak periods are standard in this market.
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
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