If you own a home in Raleigh — or you're thinking about buying one — the first question is always the same: what would it actually earn as a short-term rental? Here's what the data says in 2026, and what separates the listings that beat the averages from the ones that sit empty midweek.
According to AirDNA market data, Raleigh currently has about 3,124 active short-term rentals, earning an average of $19,400 per year at 58% occupancy and an average daily rate of $162.
Averages hide a wide spread. Listings near Downtown, Five Points, North Hills, and NC State routinely outperform the citywide average, while poorly priced or under-photographed listings drag it down. The difference is rarely the property — it's the operation.
Demand drivers: NC State events, Research Triangle Park business travel, PNC Arena concerts and hockey, state government, and a steady relocation pipeline of families scouting the Triangle. This mix matters: Raleigh demand is year-round rather than seasonal, which supports the 58% occupancy floor.
Pricing: Static nightly rates are the single biggest revenue leak we see. Graduation weekends, ACC tournaments, and concert dates can support 2–3x baseline rates — but only if your pricing moves daily.
Reviews: Raleigh guests skew toward business and family travel, which means cleanliness and self-check-in reliability decide your rating. A listing that holds 4.9+ compounds: better search placement, more bookings, higher rates.
Raleigh requires short-term rental zoning permits, and requirements differ for whole-home versus homestay rentals. Factor permit timelines into your launch plan — and remember Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill each have their own rules if you're comparing Triangle markets.
For a well-located, well-run home: yes. A property earning the Raleigh average of $19.4K can typically clear meaningfully more with dynamic pricing, professional photos, and fast guest communication — the exact gap a local manager closes.
Want the real number for your address? Stay Maven provides local, full-service Airbnb management in Raleigh and across the Triangle, NC. Request a free revenue estimate — a $500 analysis, free for owners.
