Estimate your Airbnb or VRBO revenue based on nightly rate, occupancy, and real operating costs. See gross income, NOI, and cash-on-cash return — the metrics that separate a profitable STR from an expensive hobby.
Nightly rate × occupancy determines your top line, but the real story is in what's left after expenses. STRs carry higher operating costs than long-term rentals — cleaning, furnishing, platform fees, utilities, and guest supplies all eat into revenue.
RevPAN (Revenue Per Available Night) accounts for vacancy — it's your gross revenue divided by 365. This metric lets you compare properties regardless of how they're marketed or how stay lengths differ.
Management costs are the biggest variable. Self-managing saves 20–30% but costs you time. Full-service STR management typically runs 20–25% of gross revenue. Factor in your time honestly.
Always stress-test with lower occupancy — markets shift, regulations change, and new supply comes online. A deal that only works at 80% occupancy is a deal that's one bad season from going underwater.
Annual Cash Flow
$3,233
Cash-on-Cash Return
3.8%
What does this mean?
The property cash flows, but the return on your investment is slim. Consider whether you could improve occupancy with better pricing strategy, or if a long-term rental might be less work for similar returns.
Keep running the numbers
Short-term rental numbers look different. Compare with long-term.