Rockport, Texas Short-Term Rental Market
The Coastal Bend STR market averaged $298 ADR, 41.9% occupancy and $3,542 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Rockport, Texas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Corpus Christi market area is 42%. average monthly revenue in the Corpus Christi market area is $3,542. average daily rate in the Corpus Christi market area is $298. 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 Rockport. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Rockport.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the Texas Coastal Bend STR market, the Gulf Coast region around Rockport. Performance figures below describe that regional market, and they are the best available guide for a Rockport purchase. In September 2026 the Coastal Bend STR market averaged an ADR of $298, occupancy of 41.9% and revenue of $3,542 per listing for the month. Entire place rentals averaged an ADR of $302. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 20.7%, ADR rose 7.7% and revenue rose 19.3%.
September sits in the shoulder season. The multi year September average occupancy is 38.3%, so this year’s reading of 41.9% is running ahead of the usual pattern. Through the first nine months of 2026, occupancy has averaged 51.6%, ADR $316 and monthly revenue $4,678, compared with 47.1%, $284 and $3,952 for all of 2025. Summing the typical seasonal months gives annualized revenue of $42,863 per listing.
Rockport has a population of 10,929 and is marketed as The Texas Riviera. Demand comes from bay and offshore fishing, boating, birdwatching around the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and Rockport Beach, the first Blue Wave certified beach in Texas. A Winter Texan population adds cold season demand: a 2021 to 2023 study cited more than 8,000 out of state travelers staying an average of 3.1 months, supported by more than 70 RV parks. Festivals such as the Rockport Art Festival and Seafair add event weekends through the year.
Bedroom, channel and listing type counts and top operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Rockport, so this profile omits them. Houses averaged $4,249 in monthly revenue and apartments $2,883, which points to larger properties earning more per listing. Average lead time is 41 days and the average stay is 3.6 nights, so guests tend to plan more than a month ahead and book short stays.
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 Rockport 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 Rockport, so these counts are not Rockport-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 Rockport?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Rockport 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 (Rockport)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Rockport 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 Rockport — 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
Short-term rentals are legal in Rockport, Texas, but they must be registered with the city. In 2024 the City adopted Ordinance 1928, which established registration and use rules for privately owned dwellings operated as short-term rentals. Before 2024 Rockport had no STR specific ordinance. All existing rentals had to register by December 1, 2024, and any new rental must register before it operates.
Registration runs through an online portal operated by Deckard Technologies, a third party compliance monitoring vendor. Its involvement signals active identification of unregistered listings, and the city warns owners to register to avoid fines or penalties. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
On taxes, the city levies a 7% local Hotel Occupancy Tax on STR stays. That is in addition to the Texas state 6% hotel occupancy tax, so guests typically pay a combined rate of about 13%. Operators are responsible for collecting and remitting the tax.
Several details are not published in available sources. The registration fee, renewal cadence, occupancy limits, parking requirements and specific zoning district limits were not confirmed, and no owner occupancy or primary residence requirement was found. Rockport permits short-term rentals citywide subject to registration. Buyers should confirm these specifics with the Building Department at 361-790-1125 or [email protected] before purchasing, and should read the full text of Ordinance 1928.
Market Comparison
No national STR benchmark is included here, so this comparison looks at the Coastal Bend STR market against its own history. September 2026 occupancy of 41.9% is above the multi year September average of 38.3%, and the September ADR of $298 is above the $276 seasonal September ADR. The year to date picture is stronger: 2026 occupancy has averaged 51.6% against 47.1% for all of 2025, with a $316 ADR against $284.
The market earns on both rate and volume in its best months. Revenue of $3,542 for September and $4,678 per month for 2026 year to date are both ahead of the $3,952 monthly average for 2025. Owners fill far fewer nights from October through January.
Trend direction helps. Occupancy is up 20.7% year over year, ADR is up 7.7% and revenue is up 19.3%. Peak months stand out within the year: July occupancy is 70.2%, while December is 32.2%.
Top operator rankings are part of the regional data omitted from this profile. Investors weighing Rockport against other coastal markets should compare seasonal swing and registration requirements as well as the headline averages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rockport, Texas
What is the average Airbnb ADR in the Rockport area?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Rockport, TX?
What is the best month for STR income in Rockport?
Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Rockport?
What taxes apply to STR stays in Rockport?
How much does a home cost in Rockport for an STR investment?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
Analyze Rockport Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Rockport.
Free Rockport STR Calculator →
