Clearwater Beach, FL
Tampa Bay's top beach - high-volume Gulf Coast STR
Clearwater Beach has been named the #1 beach in the US by TripAdvisor multiple times and consistently ranks among the highest-occupancy Gulf Coast STR markets. Proximity to Tampa (30 min) and St. Petersburg creates a massive drive-to feeder market, while Pier 60 sunsets and Caladesi Island State Park anchor the tourism draw. Entry prices are moderate relative to performance.
Estimated Annual Performance
* Estimates based on market averages. Individual property performance varies. Always run a full underwriting analysis.
Why Investors Choose Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach STR investing, answered
Is Clearwater Beach, FL a good short-term rental market?
Clearwater Beach is a Southeast STR market averaging a 9.9% cap rate, 71% annual occupancy, and $330/night across STR-viable listings. Clearwater Beach has been named the #1 beach in the US by TripAdvisor multiple times and consistently ranks among the highest-occupancy Gulf Coast STR markets. Proximity to Tampa (30 min) and St. Petersburg creates a massive drive-to feeder market, while Pier 60 sunsets and Caladesi Island State Park anchor the tourism draw. Entry prices are moderate relative to performance.
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Clearwater Beach?
STR-viable properties in Clearwater Beach average about 71% occupancy across the year. Peak season is Dec - Apr, spring break, 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 Clearwater Beach?
At $330/night and 71% occupancy, a typical Clearwater Beach STR grosses roughly $85,520 per year before expenses, leaving an estimated $51,312 in net operating income against a $520K average price, an implied 9.9% cap rate. Individual results depend on property, amenities, and management.
What types of properties work best for STR in Clearwater Beach?
The strongest-performing STR property types in Clearwater Beach are Condo, Beach House, Gulf-front Unit. Ranked #1 US beach by TripAdvisor multiple years. 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 Clearwater Beach?
STR-viable listings in Clearwater Beach average around $520K. Primary STR ZIP codes include 33767, 33755, 33756. Combined with the market's 9.9% 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.
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