South Central2.4% avg cap rateLive · 41 active listings

Austin, TX

Live music capital of the world - SXSW and events-driven STR

Austin is one of the most event-dense STR markets in the country. SXSW, Austin City Limits, Formula 1 at COTA, and a packed convention calendar drive ADR spikes that rival any US market. The city has a complex and evolving STR licensing framework - non-owner-occupied Type 2 licenses are capped in residential zones - which creates scarcity value for permitted properties. Tech industry growth continues to fuel baseline demand.

2.4%
Avg Cap Rate
Net operating income / price
51%
Avg Occupancy
Annual average
$530
Avg Nightly Rate
All property types
$3.0M
Avg List Price
STR-viable properties

41 active listings in Austin are analyzed and ranked right now

Scored 1-10 against real Airbnb comps. See which properties rank highest and why.

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Estimated Annual Performance

Gross rental revenue
51% occ × $530/night
$99,046
Est. operating expenses
Mgmt, cleaning, supplies, insurance (~40%)
- $39,618
Est. net operating income
Before mortgage & depreciation
$59,428
At $3.0M avg price
Implied cap rate
2.0%

* Estimates based on market averages. Individual property performance varies. Always run a full underwriting analysis.

Why Investors Choose Austin

SXSW and ACL Festival weeks produce some of highest ADR spikes nationally
Formula 1 US Grand Prix fills every STR within 30 miles of COTA
Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) STR licenses capped - verify availability
No Texas state income tax on rental income
Peak season: Mar (SXSW), Oct (ACL/F1), summer
Top property types: Single Family, Condo, Bungalow, Townhouse
Primary zip: 78701, 78702, 78703, 78704, 78741

Austin STR investing, answered

Is Austin, TX a good short-term rental market?

Austin is a South Central STR market averaging a 2.4% cap rate, 51% annual occupancy, and $530/night across STR-viable listings, based on 41 active listings. Austin is one of the most event-dense STR markets in the country. SXSW, Austin City Limits, Formula 1 at COTA, and a packed convention calendar drive ADR spikes that rival any US market. The city has a complex and evolving STR licensing framework - non-owner-occupied Type 2 licenses are capped in residential zones - which creates scarcity value for permitted properties. Tech industry growth continues to fuel baseline demand.

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Austin?

STR-viable properties in Austin average about 51% occupancy across the year. Peak season is Mar (SXSW), Oct (ACL/F1), summer. Occupancy here reflects availability-adjusted booking performance, not raw calendar occupancy, so it represents what a full-time operated rental can realistically achieve.

How much do short-term rentals earn in Austin?

At $530/night and 51% occupancy, a typical Austin STR grosses roughly $99,046 per year before expenses, leaving an estimated $59,428 in net operating income against a $3.0M average price, an implied 2.0% cap rate. Individual results depend on property, amenities, and management.

What types of properties work best for STR in Austin?

The strongest-performing STR property types in Austin are Single Family, Condo, Bungalow, Townhouse. SXSW and ACL Festival weeks produce some of highest ADR spikes nationally. Matching the local guest profile and the amenities that drive bookings in this market matters more than raw square footage.

What is the median STR-viable home price in Austin?

STR-viable listings in Austin average around $3.0M. Primary STR ZIP codes include 78701, 78702, 78703. Combined with the market's 2.4% average cap rate, that price level sets the return baseline you'd underwrite against.

Market averages, not guarantees. Cap rates, occupancy, and nightly rates are market-wide averages based on active STR listings and historical data. Individual property performance depends on location, amenities, management, and listing quality. Always run a full underwriting analysis before purchasing.Stats sourced from 41 active listings · last updated Sep 1, 2026

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