The 25 Highest-Yield Short-Term Rental Markets in 2026
Where average STR revenue is largest relative to the typical price of a 4-bedroom home, from the 88 markets with revenue data.
Gross yield is a market's average annual STR revenue divided by the typical value of a 4-bedroom home in its county (Zillow Home Value Index). This page ranks the 88 markets where we hold both figures, out of 176 tracked, and shows the top 25. It is a before-costs, before-financing screening ratio that shows where revenue is large relative to price. It is not a cash-on-cash return.
Top 25: highest gross yield
| Rank | Market | State | Gross yield | Annual revenue | Typical 4BR value | Occupancy | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New OrleansOrleans Parish | LA | 20.8% | $59K | $284K | 72% | 5/5 Very strict |
| 2 | South Padre IslandCameron County | TX | 20.7% | $65K | $314K | 68% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 3 | DestinOkaloosa County | FL | 18.2% | $78K | $429K | 72% | 1/5 Relaxed |
| 4 | ScottsdaleMaricopa County | AZ | 16.5% | $91K | $552K | 72% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 5 | Port AransasNueces County | TX | 15.9% | $55K | $346K | 64% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 6 | Orange BeachBaldwin County | AL | 14.8% | $66K | $445K | 66% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 7 | GalvestonGalveston County | TX | 14.8% | $58K | $392K | 65% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 8 | Panama City BeachBay County | FL | 14.7% | $61K | $414K | 68% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 9 | Gulf ShoresBaldwin County | AL | 14.4% | $64K | $445K | 66% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 10 | PoconosCarbon County | PA | 14.2% | $48K | $337K | 58% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 11 | SavannahChatham County | GA | 14.1% | $58K | $412K | 68% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 12 | Jacksonville BeachDuval County | FL | 13.6% | $53K | $391K | 68% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 13 | Lake LanierHall County | GA | 13.4% | $62K | $463K | 62% | 4/5 Strict |
| 14 | Ponte Vedra BeachSt. Johns County | FL | 13.2% | $76K | $578K | 64% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 15 | St. LouisSt. Louis city | MO | 13.0% | $42K | $323K | 65% | 4/5 Strict |
| 16 | Lake TahoePlacer County | CA | 12.8% | $98K | $765K | 68% | 4/5 Strict |
| 17 | Sandbridge BeachVirginia Beach city | VA | 12.8% | $67K | $523K | 62% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 18 | Lake Havasu CityMohave County | AZ | 12.2% | $56K | $459K | 58% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 19 | Las VegasClark County | NV | 11.8% | $59K | $500K | 72% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 20 | Cave CreekMaricopa County | AZ | 11.8% | $65K | $552K | 62% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 21 | Myrtle BeachHorry County | SC | 11.6% | $51K | $438K | 62% | 4/5 Strict |
| 22 | BransonTaney County | MO | 11.6% | $43K | $372K | 64% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 23 | HelenWhite County | GA | 11.5% | $55K | $478K | 70% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 24 | OrlandoOrange County | FL | 11.5% | $59K | $514K | 75% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 25 | MiamiMiami-Dade County | FL | 11.4% | $83K | $728K | 70% | 4/5 Strict |
Swipe the table sideways for more columns. Ranked by gross yield. 25 of 88 markets with revenue and home-value data shown.
How to read this
- Gross yield is average annual STR revenue divided by the county's typical 4BR home value. It is before cleaning, management, utilities, taxes, insurance and financing, so it is a screening ratio, not a cash-on-cash return.
- Home values are county-wide typical values from the Zillow Home Value Index, not list prices. "Typical 4BR value" is the typical value of a 4-bedroom home in the county named under each market; a specific property can sit well above or below it.
- Annual revenue is the average annual gross STR revenue from STR HUB's market analytics, the same figure shown on each market page. It is gross, and an individual property can earn more or less.
- Regulation ratings run from 1/5 (Relaxed) to 5/5 (Very strict) and summarise the rules we hold on file. Rules change, and a city rating does not cover HOA or deed restrictions. Confirm current requirements with the local jurisdiction before you buy or list.
- An empty cell means we do not hold that figure for the market. We never estimate or interpolate a missing number.
Frequently asked questions
Which STR market has the highest gross yield in 2026?
New Orleans, LA at 20.8%: average annual gross revenue of $59K against a typical 4-bedroom home value of $284K in Orleans Parish. South Padre Island, TX (20.7%) and Destin, FL (18.2%) are next.
What is a typical gross yield for a short-term rental market?
Across the 88 markets where we hold revenue and home-value data, the median gross yield is 9.7%. The range runs from 4.1% in Seattle, WA to 20.8% in New Orleans, LA.
Is gross yield the same as cash-on-cash return?
No. Gross yield here is revenue divided by a county-wide typical 4BR home value, before cleaning, management, utilities, taxes, insurance and financing. For New Orleans, LA that is $59K divided by $284K, or 20.8%. Your return depends on the actual purchase price, operating costs and loan terms.
Which state has the most markets on the highest-yield list?
Florida has the most, with 6 of the 25 listed markets: Destin, Panama City Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Orlando and Miami.
See these on the interactive map
Switch the map to the Yield overlay to compare gross yield across every market with revenue data, then open a pin for the full breakdown.
More rankings
State pages for the top markets here
Data sources
- Revenue, nightly rate, occupancy and regulation ratings: STR HUB market analytics and regulation research.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI). Data provided by Zillow Group.
Figures come from the STR HUB national dataset dated September 21, 2026 and are refreshed whenever that dataset is rebuilt. Screening data only: not investment, legal or tax advice.
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