Spicewood, Texas Short-Term Rental Market
Spicewood has no STR permit; the greater Austin area market hit $199 ADR, 58.9% occupancy, $3,353 revenue in August 2026.
Quick Answer: Spicewood, Texas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Austin market area is 59%. average monthly revenue in the Austin market area is $3,522. average daily rate in the Austin market area is $220. the top operator in the Austin market area is AvantStay with 358 listings. market score is 56/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Austin regional market, which includes Spicewood. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Spicewood.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Spicewood is an unincorporated Texas Hill Country community of 11,977 residents, about 30 to 35 miles west of Austin. It spans parts of Burnet, Travis and Blanco counties. StaySTRA’s data provider does not report short-term rental performance for Spicewood alone. It reports one shared series for the greater Austin area, which covers Austin, Cedar Creek, Dripping Springs, Kyle and Spicewood. Every performance number on this page describes that greater Austin area STR market, not Spicewood alone.
In August 2026, the greater Austin area STR market averaged an average daily rate (ADR) of $198.66 and occupancy of 58.9%. Average revenue per listing was $3,353 for the month. Compared with August 2025, occupancy rose 6.4%, ADR fell 2.3%, and revenue per listing rose 2.8%. More booked nights outweighed the lower rate.
Calendar-year averages show a flat market since 2021. In 2021 the market averaged 63.8% occupancy, a $220 ADR and $3,735 in monthly revenue per listing. In 2025 it averaged 56.2% occupancy, a $216 ADR and $3,408 in monthly revenue. The first eight months of 2026 average 59.7% occupancy, a $213 ADR and $3,531 in monthly revenue. That 2026 figure leaves out the last four months of the year, so it does not compare directly with a full year.
Listing counts, the mix of listing types, the bedroom mix and the booking channel mix are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Spicewood, so this profile omits them. Spicewood draws day-trippers and weekend visitors, mainly from the Austin area. Its appeal centers on Lake Travis (Pace Bend Park, Muleshoe Bend and The Narrows), Krause Springs, Hill Country wineries and Opie’s barbecue. No official annual visitor count was found for Spicewood.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 50% |
| Feb | 59% |
| Mar | 63% |
| Apr | 57% |
| May | 58% |
| Jun | 60% |
| Jul | 60% |
| Aug | 57% |
| Sep | 56% |
| Oct | 59% |
| Nov | 53% |
| Dec | 51% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Spicewood are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Austin market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Austin market as a whole, which includes Spicewood, so these counts are not Spicewood-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AvantStay | 358 | 1,931 | ★ 4.77 |
| 2 | Landing, Inc. | 311 | 520 | ★ 4.30 |
| 3 | Hill Country Premier Lodging | 287 | 24,078 | ★ 4.61 |
| 4 | Landing | 270 | 53 | ★ 3.67 |
| 5 | Vacasa | 250 | 17,006 | ★ 4.70 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Spicewood?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Spicewood 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 | 52.6% |
| vrbo | 6.5% |
| both | 40.9% |
Home Value Trends (Spicewood)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Spicewood 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 Spicewood — 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
Spicewood has no government STR rules. It is an unincorporated community with no city government, so no city ordinance, permit or license applies. Enforcement is rated minimal. The profile lists no permit requirement, no annual night cap, no owner-occupancy rule and no primary-residence rule.
Texas counties have very limited authority to regulate STRs in unincorporated areas. Burnet, Travis and Blanco counties, which cover Spicewood, do not currently run STR permit or zoning programs in unincorporated areas. No new local STR ordinance was identified, and no county-level STR rules for Spicewood had been enacted as of mid-2026. Texas lawmakers have repeatedly considered statewide STR preemption bills.
Tax is the firm obligation. Texas charges a 6% state hotel occupancy tax on stays under 30 days. Owners must register with the Texas Comptroller and remit it. Airbnb and VRBO collect the state portion automatically for most listings. Travis County does not add a separate county hotel occupancy tax.
Private rules matter most. Many Spicewood-area subdivisions and lake communities carry deed restrictions or HOA covenants that can prohibit or limit short-term rentals. The HOA enforces these, not the government. Owners should also follow county nuisance rules on noise, parking, septic capacity and safety. Verify the rules for each parcel before buying.
Market Comparison
The comparison below uses rough national norms of about 55% occupancy and about $220 ADR.
In August 2026 the greater Austin area market ran at 58.9% occupancy, which is 3.9 points above the national figure. Its $198.66 ADR is about 10% below $220. The 2025 pattern is similar. Occupancy averaged 56.2%, 1.2 points above 55%, while the $216 ADR sits about 2% below $220. This market sits close to the national norm on both measures.
Within the regional series, occupancy peaked at 63.8% in 2021 and has settled in the mid-50s since 2023. ADR peaked at $235 in 2022 and has stayed between $213 and $225 since. Revenue per listing has held in a narrow band, from $3,272 to $3,457 a month over 2023 to 2025.
Top operators and property managers are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Spicewood, so this profile omits them. Spicewood itself has 11,977 residents and no local STR program, which sets it apart from the cities in the same series.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spicewood, Texas
Do I need a permit to run an STR in Spicewood, TX?
Can an HOA or deed restriction ban STRs in Spicewood?
What is the average Airbnb nightly rate in the greater Austin area?
What is the occupancy rate for STRs in the greater Austin area?
How much do STRs earn per month in this market?
What is a typical home price in Spicewood?
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