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HomeReal EstateSTR Calculator — Airbnb & Vacation Rental

STR Calculator — Airbnb & Vacation Rental

Calculate short-term rental income, occupancy revenue, and net cash flow for Airbnb and vacation rental properties.

Auto-updated May 12, 2026 · Verified daily against IRS, Fed & Treasury sources

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STR Calculator — Airbnb & Vacation Rental

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Revenue

Monthly Expenses

Assumptions· 2026

  • ·STR NOI = ADR × occupancy rate × 365 − OTA commission (Airbnb/VRBO ~3–15%) − operating costs
  • ·Cash-on-cash return = annual pre-tax cash flow ÷ total cash invested (down payment + closing + furnishing)
  • ·Revenue estimate: ADR × occupancy assumptions based on entered comp or AirDNA/Rabbu market benchmarks
  • ·DSCR shown if debt service entered; STR lenders typically require ≥ 1.25 DSCR
When this is wrong
  • ·Local STR permit requirements: 60+ major cities restrict STR to primary residence or require permit (can be non-renewable)
  • ·HOA and condo CC&R restrictions often ban STR independent of municipal rules
  • ·Occupancy tax collection and remittance: varies by jurisdiction; Airbnb auto-collects in most but not all
  • ·Seasonality variance: beach/ski markets can see 5× revenue swing peak-to-off-peak
Assumptions· 2026▾
  • ·STR NOI = ADR × occupancy rate × 365 − OTA commission (Airbnb/VRBO ~3–15%) − operating costs
  • ·Cash-on-cash return = annual pre-tax cash flow ÷ total cash invested (down payment + closing + furnishing)
  • ·Revenue estimate: ADR × occupancy assumptions based on entered comp or AirDNA/Rabbu market benchmarks
  • ·DSCR shown if debt service entered; STR lenders typically require ≥ 1.25 DSCR
When this is wrong
  • ·Local STR permit requirements: 60+ major cities restrict STR to primary residence or require permit (can be non-renewable)
  • ·HOA and condo CC&R restrictions often ban STR independent of municipal rules
  • ·Occupancy tax collection and remittance: varies by jurisdiction; Airbnb auto-collects in most but not all
  • ·Seasonality variance: beach/ski markets can see 5× revenue swing peak-to-off-peak
Real-world example: Ohio family buying their first home▾

The Chen family is buying a $340,000 home in Columbus, Ohio. Combined income $115,000, 10% down payment, 30-year fixed at 7.125%.

  • Purchase price: $340,000
  • Down payment: $34,000 (10%)
  • Loan amount: $306,000
  • Rate: 7.125%
  • Term: 30 years
  • Property tax (Franklin Co.): ~1.7%
  • Homeowners insurance: ~$1,400/yr
All-in monthly cost (PITI)
~$2,800/month

Takeaway: Columbus/Franklin County averages are the reference baseline. Property tax rates and insurance premiums shift significantly by ZIP code and HOA status. Plug your actual numbers in above.

When this calculator is wrong▾
  • Property tax rates vary by county, not just state

    We default to state-average millage rates. County and municipal rates vary 40%+ within a single state. Ohio ranges from 0.8% (rural counties) to 2.4% (Cuyahoga/Cleveland area). Always cross-check your specific county assessor's published effective rate.

    Property Tax by State
  • HOA fees are excluded from most calculators

    Homeowner association fees add $100-$800/month in condos and planned communities. Condos in urban markets often run $400-$700/month. If your property has HOA, add it manually to any payment estimate — it directly affects your debt-to-income ratio for loan qualification.

    HOA Fee Calculator
  • Closing costs are not included in purchase price inputs

    Closing costs typically run 2-5% of the loan amount — around $6,000-$15,000 on a $300K home. Lender fees, title insurance, escrow, and prepaid taxes add up fast. These are due at closing in cash, not rolled into the mortgage by default.

    Closing Costs Calculator
  • PMI is omitted when down payment is under 20%

    Private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs 0.5-1.5% of the loan annually until you reach 20% equity. On a $300K loan at 1%, that's $250/month. PMI cancels automatically at 78% LTV under federal law — but you can request removal at 80%.

  • Appreciation assumptions may not match your market

    National home price appreciation has averaged ~4% annually since 1968, but markets diverge dramatically. Sun Belt metros averaged 10%+ during 2020-2022; coastal markets often lag the national average during correction cycles. Local supply constraints are the main driver.

  • Capital gains exclusion is not modeled by default

    If you've lived in the home 2 of the last 5 years, you can exclude $250K (single) or $500K (married) of gain from federal capital gains tax. Many calculators show gross profit without applying this exclusion. Relevant when projecting sale proceeds.

    Home Sale Capital Gains Calculator

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Your Results

Based on your inputs

ℹ️Demo numbers — replace inputs to see yours
Annual Net Revenue
$40,273positivepositive trend

237 nights booked/year

Nights Booked237
Gross Revenue$41,519
Platform Fees-$1,246
Net Revenue$40,273
Operating Expenses-$6,600
NOI (before mortgage)$33,673
Annual Cash Flow$15,673
Monthly Cash Flow$1,306
RevPAN (Revenue/Available Night)$110.34

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Decision guides

How Much House Can I Afford?
Real income-to-mortgage math before you shop.
Rent vs. Buy: The Full Picture
Break-even timeline + hidden costs compared.
First-Time Homebuyer Checklist
Step-by-step from offer to close.

Average Airbnb hosts earn $13,800/year, but this varies widely. A desirable property in a high-demand market can earn $50,000–$150,000/year. Most STRs beat long-term rental income by 30–60%.

Airbnb host fees (3%), cleaning fees (if not charged separately), consumables (linens, toiletries), utilities, property management (20–30%), maintenance, insurance, and taxes.

New listings average 40–55% occupancy. Established, well-reviewed properties in good markets achieve 65–80%. Beach/ski resort areas can hit 85%+ in peak season.

Yes. Short-term rental income is generally subject to income tax. If rented fewer than 15 days/year, income is tax-free. You may also owe lodging/occupancy taxes collected by Airbnb.

Research comparable listings within 1 mile using AirDNA or Mashvisor. Price 10-15% below top competitors when starting to build reviews. Use dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs or Beyond to automatically adjust rates based on demand, seasonality, and local events.

2-3 bedroom homes and condos near tourist attractions perform best. Unique properties (cabins, treehouses, tiny homes) command premium rates. Studio apartments work in urban markets. Properties near beaches, ski resorts, and national parks have the highest revenue potential.

Yes. Standard homeowner's insurance does not cover short-term rental activity. Get a commercial or short-term rental insurance policy ($1,500-$3,000/year). Airbnb offers $1M Host Protection but has coverage gaps. Proper insurance covers liability, property damage, and lost income.

Top expenses include cleaning (20-30% of revenue), property management (20-25% if outsourced), furnishing and supplies ($5,000-$15,000 initial), utilities ($200-$400/month), maintenance, platform fees (3-15%), and occupancy taxes. Self-managing saves the largest single expense.

Many cities now restrict short-term rentals with permit requirements, occupancy limits, minimum stay rules, or outright bans in certain zones. Check local ordinances before purchasing. Regulations can change quickly, so have a long-term rental fallback plan for any STR investment.

Use smart locks for keyless check-in, automated messaging tools for guest communication, dynamic pricing software for rate optimization, and noise monitoring devices for neighbor relations. Channel managers sync calendars across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com to prevent double bookings.

Gross Revenue = Days Booked × Nightly Rate + Cleaning Fees

Net Revenue = Gross Revenue − Platform Fees

Cash Flow = NOI − Mortgage

Published byJere Salmisto· Founder, CalcFiReviewed byCalcFi EditorialEditorial standardsMethodologyLast updated May 13, 2026

Primary sources & authoritative references

Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.

  • HUD — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — HUD (opens in new tab)
  • FHFA — Federal Housing Finance Agency — FHFA (opens in new tab)

Found an error in a formula or source? Report it →

Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.