South Padre Island, Texas Short-Term Rental Market
South Padre Island area STRs averaged $284 a night, 51.6% occupancy and $4,160 monthly revenue in August 2026.
Quick Answer: South Padre Island, Texas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the South Padre Island market area is 43%. average monthly revenue in the South Padre Island market area is $2,724. average daily rate in the South Padre Island market area is $224. the top operator in the South Padre Island market area is Vacasa with 381 listings. market score is 49/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the wider South Padre Island market, which covers 4 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to South Padre Island.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
South Padre Island is a Texas Gulf Coast town of 2,076 residents that draws roughly 1 million visitors a year, according to the area profile. Visitor spending is estimated at more than $300 million a year and supports over 4,000 jobs. Demand has three drivers named in the profile: spring break, the summer beach season, and Winter Texan visitors from the northern US and Canada. Hotels, condos, and vacation rentals all share the market.
Performance data for South Padre Island is reported as a series shared with Brownsville and Harlingen. The figures below therefore describe the South Padre Island and Rio Grande Valley STR market, not the island alone.
In August 2026, the latest month in the data, that market averaged $284 per night at 51.6% occupancy. Average monthly revenue was $4,160. Houses earned $4,887 per month, entire-place rentals earned $4,237, and apartments earned $3,883. Compared with August 2025, occupancy rose 0.5%, ADR rose 2.0%, and revenue rose 3.6%.
The recent annual trend is mixed. Average ADR fell from $247 in 2024 to $232 in 2025, while average occupancy rose from 50.8% to 52.7%. Average monthly revenue slipped 2.6%, from $3,491 to $3,401. The 2026 average through August is 58.8% occupancy, $255 ADR, and $4,010 in monthly revenue. That partial year includes spring break and the summer peak and leaves out the weak fall months, so it is not comparable to a full year.
Enforcement on the island is strict, with a city license, a 24/7 local contact, and a layered lodging tax of up to roughly 17%.
Listing mix by bedroom count, booking channel, and listing type is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for South Padre Island, so this profile omits it.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 51% |
| Feb | 69% |
| Mar | 58% |
| Apr | 44% |
| May | 50% |
| Jun | 65% |
| Jul | 72% |
| Aug | 48% |
| Sep | 38% |
| Oct | 36% |
| Nov | 39% |
| Dec | 41% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for South Padre Island are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in South Padre Island market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the South Padre Island market as a whole, which includes South Padre Island, so these counts are not South Padre Island-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 381 | 19,054 | ★ 4.41 |
| 2 | RedAwning | 253 | 2,069 | ★ 4.51 |
| 3 | SPI Rentals LLC | 213 | 8,264 | ★ 4.63 |
| 4 | Padre Island Rentals | 210 | 9,703 | ★ 4.55 |
| 5 | South Padre Trips | 159 | 3,494 | ★ 4.45 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in South Padre Island?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for South Padre Island 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 | 36% |
| vrbo | 9.5% |
| both | 54.6% |
Home Value Trends (South Padre Island)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for South Padre Island 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 South Padre Island — 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
South Padre Island allows short-term rentals, defined as properties rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days, but the city enforces its rules strictly. Operators must hold an annual city STR license, reported at $125 per year. Some sources cite $200, so confirm the current fee with the city. Each rental receives a permit number that must appear in all advertising. Ordinance 25-04, adopted in 2025, is the current framework. No owner-occupancy or primary-residence rule applies, and no annual night cap applies.
Operators must name a 24/7 local contact who can respond to city complaints within one hour. The city can revoke a license after three citations in a 12-month period. Fines run up to $500 per offense per day, and serious violations up to $2,000 per day. The city monitors listings through a compliance portal.
In Districts A and E, amplified outdoor noise is prohibited after 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends until 7 a.m. Overnight parking in city-owned lots is prohibited. Parties, large gatherings, and commercial use of rentals are restricted.
Hotel occupancy tax is mandatory and layered. The city levies 10.5%, made up of 8.5% general and 2% venue tax. Texas levies 6%, and Cameron County adds its portion, for a combined rate of up to roughly 17%. City tax is filed monthly by the 20th. County and state taxes are filed separately.
Market Comparison
Against rough US norms of about 55% occupancy and a $220 ADR, the South Padre Island and Rio Grande Valley STR market is a moderate-rate market. August 2026 occupancy was 51.6%, about 3 points under the norm, while ADR of $284 was about 29% above it. The 2025 annual average was 52.7% occupancy, about 2 points under the norm, and $232 ADR, about 5% above it.
The annual figures hide a wide seasonal gap. July occupancy of 71.7% and February occupancy of 69.5% sit far above the October low of 36.5%. The 2026 average through August of 58.8% occupancy is above the norm, but it leaves out the weak fall months.
Top property manager rankings and operator listing counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for South Padre Island, so this profile omits operator names and market shares. Investors can search local management companies directly.
The performance series also covers Brownsville and Harlingen, which have their own rules. South Padre Island’s strict license and enforcement rules apply only to rentals on the island. Check each jurisdiction before comparing returns.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Padre Island, Texas
Are short-term rentals legal on South Padre Island?
How much do South Padre Island area STRs earn per month?
What is the average nightly rate and occupancy near South Padre Island?
When is the best time to rent out a South Padre Island property?
What lodging taxes apply on South Padre Island?
What are the penalties for violating South Padre Island STR rules?
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