Best STR Markets Under $400K in 2026
28 tracked markets sit in a county where the typical 4-bedroom home is valued under $400K. Here are the 28 that score best.
Every market on this page sits in a county where the typical 4-bedroom home is valued under $400K (Zillow Home Value Index, a county-wide typical value, not a list price). 28 of the 175 tracked markets with 4BR home-value data qualify; the 28 shown are ranked by STR HUB Opportunity Score. 17 of them carry a partial score, calculated without revenue data, and are labelled in the table.
Top 28: sTR markets under $400K
| Rank | Market | State | Opportunity score | Typical 4BR value | Annual revenue | Gross yield | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KissimmeeOsceola County | FL | 59 partial | $395K | 3/5 Moderate | ||
| 2 | DavisTucker County | WV | 57 partial | $323K | 1/5 Relaxed | ||
| 3 | FargoCass County | ND | 56 partial | $383K | 1/5 Relaxed | ||
| 4 | GalvestonGalveston County | TX | 53 | $392K | $58K | 14.8% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 5 | JacksonvilleDuval County | FL | 53 partial | $391K | 2/5 Light-touch | ||
| 6 | SnowshoePocahontas County | WV | 48 partial | $353K | 2/5 Light-touch | ||
| 7 | South Padre IslandCameron County | TX | 47 | $314K | $65K | 20.7% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 8 | Michigan CityLaPorte County | IN | 47 partial | $352K | 2/5 Light-touch | ||
| 9 | BransonTaney County | MO | 46 | $372K | $43K | 11.6% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 10 | Des MoinesPolk County | IA | 45 partial | $382K | 3/5 Moderate | ||
| 11 | WichitaSedgwick County | KS | 45 partial | $300K | 3/5 Moderate | ||
| 12 | Lake PlacidEssex County | NY | 44 partial | $393K | 4/5 Strict | ||
| 13 | Bay St. LouisHancock County | MS | 43 partial | $321K | 2/5 Light-touch | ||
| 14 | FayettevilleFayette County | WV | 43 partial | $214K | 2/5 Light-touch | ||
| 15 | New OrleansOrleans Parish | LA | 42 | $284K | $59K | 20.8% | 5/5 Very strict |
| 16 | Port AransasNueces County | TX | 42 | $346K | $55K | 15.9% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 17 | Jacksonville BeachDuval County | FL | 42 | $391K | $53K | 13.6% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 18 | IndianapolisMarion County | IN | 42 partial | $310K | 3/5 Moderate | ||
| 19 | HoustonHarris County | TX | 41 | $339K | $33K | 9.7% | 2/5 Light-touch |
| 20 | San AntonioBexar County | TX | 40 | $332K | $37K | 11.1% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 21 | BiloxiHarrison County | MS | 40 partial | $304K | 4/5 Strict | ||
| 22 | Broken BowMcCurtain County | OK | 38 partial | $343K | 2/5 Light-touch | ||
| 23 | Red River Gorge (Slade)Powell County | KY | 37 partial | $248K | 2/5 Light-touch | ||
| 24 | DuluthSt. Louis County | MN | 33 partial | $364K | 5/5 Very strict | ||
| 25 | St. LouisSt. Louis city | MO | 32 | $323K | $42K | 13.0% | 4/5 Strict |
| 26 | OttawaLaSalle County | IL | 32 partial | $288K | 3/5 Moderate | ||
| 27 | Lake SinclairBaldwin County | GA | 31 | $375K | $41K | 10.9% | 3/5 Moderate |
| 28 | PoconosCarbon County | PA | 28 | $337K | $48K | 14.2% | 3/5 Moderate |
Swipe the table sideways for more columns. Ranked by Opportunity Score. Typical 4BR value is for the county shown under each market.
How to read this
- 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.
- The Opportunity Score (0-100) is a screening heuristic, not investment advice. It weighs revenue (35%), regulatory climate (25%), tourism employment (15%), nearby amenities (15%) and large-home supply (10%), each measured relative to the other markets we track.
- Scores marked partial were calculated without revenue data: the cash-flow component is assumed to be below average, so a partial score can understate a market and should not be compared like-for-like with a full score.
- 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.
- 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
What is the best STR market under $400K in 2026?
Kissimmee, FL ranks first with an opportunity score of 59/100 (a partial score, calculated without revenue data). The typical 4-bedroom home in Osceola County is valued at $395K. Davis, WV (57) and Fargo, ND (56) follow.
What is the cheapest STR market STR HUB tracks?
Fayetteville, WV, where the typical 4-bedroom home in Fayette County is valued at $214K. That is a county-wide Zillow typical value, not a list price. Its opportunity score is 43/100 (partial).
How many STR markets have a typical 4BR home under $400K?
28 of the 175 markets where we hold county 4BR home-value data. 11 of those 28 also have revenue data, so the other 17 carry partial opportunity scores.
Which market under $400K earns the most?
Among the 11 qualifying markets with revenue data, South Padre Island, TX has the highest average annual gross revenue at $65K, against a typical 4BR value of $314K, a gross yield of 20.7% before costs and financing.
See these on the interactive map
Filter the map by home value, overlay regulation strictness, and open any market under $400K to see its full profile.
More rankings
State pages for the top markets here
- Florida STR markets
- West Virginia STR markets
- Texas STR markets
- Indiana STR markets
- Missouri STR markets
- All rankings →
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.
- Housing and employment shares: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
- Amenity data: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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.
Found a market? Get a local STR agent.
We match you with an agent who works short-term rentals in that market every day: permits, zoning, and the streets that actually rent.
Get matched with an STR agent →