10 Florida Short-Term Rental Statistics Every Property Owner Needs to Know in 2026
Florida's short-term rental market is really picking up, and the numbers tell a story that every local property owner and investor should understand.
From record-breaking tourism figures to luxury nightly rates that rival five-star hotels, these 10 statistics paint a clear picture of where the market stands in 2026 and what it means for your property investment.
1. Florida Welcomed a Record 143.3 Million Visitors in 2025 — The Highest in State History
Every short-term rental runs on one engine: visitors!
And Florida's supply of them has never been larger.
VISIT FLORIDA confirmed that the state welcomed 143.3 million visitors in 2025 — a new all-time record announced in February 2026 and a 0.2% increase over 2024's previous record of 143 million. Domestic visitors accounted for 91.5% of that figure, with 131.1 million domestic trips recorded. Q4 2025 alone drew 33.5 million travelers, the highest fourth-quarter total ever recorded.
That sustained visitor volume directly impacts short-term rental demand. For Northeast Florida specifically, St. Augustine was ranked the #1 Florida town for weekend trips, and the Jacksonville metro continues to draw both leisure and corporate travelers year-round
2. Ponte Vedra Beach Airbnb Hosts Are Averaging $591 Per Night in 2026 – July the Most In-Demand Month
AirROI's most recent rental analysis (updated May 2026 and covering May 2025 through April 2026) shows that Ponte Vedra Beach short-term rentals averaged a nightly rate of $591, $65,039 in annual revenue, and a RevPAR of $236. Occupancy sits at 40.7% across 217 active listings, with peak demand in July and driven by affluent travelers, golf enthusiasts, and attendees of events like The Players Championship.
Even as supply grew 87.1% year-over-year, revenue and nightly rates both trended upward. This is a strong signal that demand is absorbing new inventory rather than being diluted by it.
For investors considering this market, our guide on buying luxury rentals in Jacksonville, FL, covers exactly what to evaluate before investing in a rental property in this area.
3. Jacksonville Beach Short-Term Rental Revenue Grew 20.9% Year-Over-Year
Revenue growth rate is one of the most forward-looking signals in any rental market — and Jacksonville Beach's is exceptional.
AirROI's Jacksonville Beach data (covering May 2025 - April 2026) shows STR revenue growing 20.9% year-over-year, with hosts averaging $49,860 annually at a $344 average nightly rate and 46.8% occupancy across 726 active listings. Supply in the market grew 50% over the same period, yet pricing power held firm and revenue climbed.
4. Jacksonville Ranks in the Top 16% Nationally for Short-Term Rental Yield
Jacksonville often flies under the radar when compared to Miami or Orlando. But the data tells a different story.
Airbtics' 2026 report (last updated March 2026 with data through January 2026) places Jacksonville in the top 16% nationally for short-term rental yield. The market has 8,793 active listings generating a median annual revenue of $51,000, a median occupancy rate of 62%, and a nightly rate of $220. Revenue grew 22.5% year-over-year, and the average nightly rate climbed 24.4%.
What makes this especially compelling is the entry point. Jacksonville's property prices remain significantly lower than South Florida markets, meaning the yield on invested capital can be stronger even at comparable revenue levels. For property owners weighing costs, considering whether to self-manage or hire a property management professional, it’s important to research the financial math in detail.
5. St. Augustine Short-Term Rental Nightly Rates Rose 23.5% in the Past Year
Occupancy tells you how often your property is booked, but nightly rate growth tells you whether the market is gaining or losing pricing power. St. Augustine is gaining it quickly.
Airbtics' March 2026 data shows St. Augustine average nightly rates growing 23.5% year-over-year, reaching an ADR of $227 with a 64% median occupancy rate and $55,000 median annual revenue across 1,132 active listings. Revenue grew 21.5% year-over-year.
The driver is year-round tourism demand due to St. Augustine's unique position as the oldest city in the United States. Unlike markets that spike in one season and crater in another, St. Augustine's historic draw keeps the market consistent and supports strong occupancy across multiple months of the year.
6. St. Augustine's Active Airbnb Listings Grew 40.2% Year-Over-Year — Yet Revenue Kept Rising
When supply grows fast, and revenue still climbs, that's the clearest possible signal of a demand-led market.
AirROI's May 2026 data (covering May 2025–April 2026) shows St. Augustine's active listing count surging 40.2% year-over-year to 1,699 listings, while revenue grew 12.9% over the same period. The market is currently generating an average annual revenue of $41,902 at a $298 ADR and 44.3% occupancy, with a RevPAR of $136.
The fact that revenue is expanding alongside a 40% increase in competing supply means travelers are choosing St. Augustine more, not less. That kind of demand resilience is rare and is exactly what makes a market worth investing in for the long term. Working with a professional property manager to stand out in a growing field of listings is increasingly the difference between average and top-performing rentals.
7. The U.S. Short-Term Rental Market Is Projected to Reach $76.46 Billion in 2026
Florida's local markets don't exist in isolation. The national tailwinds behind short-term rentals are accelerating, and that tide lifts every well-managed property in the state.
Grand View Research values the U.S. short-term vacation rental market at $72.00 billion in 2025, projecting it to reach $76.46 billion in 2026 and grow to $125.14 billion by 2033 at a 7.3% compound annual rate. Globally, the sector is on pace for $101 billion in 2026 per
Demand for luxury and premium vacation rentals is growing the fastest within that broader market. Affluent travelers are consistently choosing high-quality private homes over hotel stays. This trend benefits well-positioned properties in premium markets like Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine's historic district.
8. Florida STR Demand Grew 7% in 2025 While Supply Only Grew 4–5%
The supply-demand gap is the single most important structural factor determining pricing power in any rental market. In Florida, demand is winning.
Florida Rental By Owners' 2025 Vacation Rental Report found that Florida short-term rental demand grew roughly 7% year-over-year in 2025, while supply grew at just 4–5%. The fact that demand is consistently outpacing new inventory is keeping occupancy rates stable and giving operators the ability to raise rates even as more listings come online.
Projections for 2026 point to continued demand growth at a steady pace, with occupancy expected to rise gradually as supply stabilizes and ADR gains expected across premium coastal markets. The Northeast Florida data above confirms this pattern is already playing out locally, with revenue growing 12–22% year-over-year across every market JCCT serves. For pricing strategy in this environment, see our 2026 Pricing Guide for Jacksonville Rental Owners.
9. Vacation Rentals Now Capture 26% of Florida's Accommodation Spending — Up from 18% in 2019
The hotel industry's loss is the vacation rental market's gain — and the shift is accelerating.
Hampton Real Estate Advisors' 2026 Florida Rental Demand report documents vacation rentals' share of Florida accommodation spending growing from 18% in 2019 to 26% in 2025, with projections of 28–30% by 2026.
For Florida property owners, the audience of travelers actively choosing vacation rentals over hotels is larger today than at any point in history, and it's still growing. Florida's total tourism spending reached approximately $112 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $116–118 billion in 2026, providing a huge pool of spending that short-term vacation rentals are capturing.
10. Every Florida Vacation Rental Requires an Individual DBPR License — At $170–$180 Per Property Per Year
This is the statistic that surprises the most first-time STR operators: compliance in Florida is mandatory, property-specific, and layered.
Every vacation rental in Florida must hold its own license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) at approximately $170–$180 per property per year. On top of that, hosts must collect and remit a 6% state sales tax on all transient rental revenue plus any applicable county tourist development tax (typically 1–6% depending on county).
It’s important to do your research on Florida’s rental laws when planning your investment to ensure you’re following local guidelines and maintain all proper licensing. It can get quite complex and is often different across counties.
Staying compliant as these rules evolve is one of the most practical reasons to work with a professional property manager. JCCT handles all licensing, registration, and tax compliance for every property we manage, so owners never have to navigate the complexities alone.
What These 10 Statistics Mean for Your Florida Rental Property
Taken together, these numbers tell a consistent story: Florida's short-term rental market in 2026 is operating from a position of strength. With record tourism, rising nightly rates, demand outpacing supply, and a shift in traveler preferences that continues to favor vacation rentals – now is a great time to make an investment.
In Northeast Florida specifically, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and St. Augustine are all showing revenue and nightly rate growth in the double digits year-over-year. The market rewards properties that are priced well, presented professionally, and managed with attention to the guest experience.
If you're ready to invest in Florida property management services or want to understand how your current returns compare across the surrounding areas, contact us today to get started. And if you're still comparing your options, our 7 Best Property Management Companies in Jacksonville 2026 guide is a useful starting point.
