{
  "slug": "airbnb-vs-long-term-rental-cost",
  "title": "Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/airbnb-vs-long-term-rental-cost",
  "summary": "Compare net income from short-term Airbnb rental against a traditional long-term lease.",
  "description": "Short-term rentals like Airbnb can earn a much higher nightly rate but come with cleaning costs, platform fees, vacancy between bookings, and more hands-on management, while a long-term rental delivers steady, predictable income with far less turnover work. This tool nets out both options' income after their respective costs so you can see which model actually earns more for your property.",
  "formula": "Airbnb Net = Nightly Rate × Occupied Nights × 12 − Cleaning Costs − Platform Fees − Extra Utilities. Long-Term Net = Monthly Rent × 12 − Vacancy Loss − Management Fee.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=airbnb-vs-long-term-rental-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "nightlyRate",
      "label": "Airbnb nightly rate",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 150,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "occupancyRate",
      "label": "Airbnb occupancy rate",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 100
    },
    {
      "id": "cleaningCostPerStay",
      "label": "Cleaning cost per stay",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 80,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "avgStayNights",
      "label": "Average nights per stay",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 30
    },
    {
      "id": "platformFeePercent",
      "label": "Platform fee %",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 15
    },
    {
      "id": "longTermMonthlyRent",
      "label": "Long-term monthly rent",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 1800,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "managementFeePercent",
      "label": "Property management fee %",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 8,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 20
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "winner",
      "label": "Higher net annual income",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "airbnbNet",
      "label": "Airbnb annual net income",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "longTermNet",
      "label": "Long-term rental annual net income",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "diff",
      "label": "Annual difference",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Airbnb nightly rate: 150 $",
      "Airbnb occupancy rate: 60 %",
      "Cleaning cost per stay: 80 $",
      "Average nights per stay: 3",
      "Platform fee %: 3 %",
      "Long-term monthly rent: 1800 $",
      "Property management fee %: 8 %"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Higher net annual income: Airbnb",
      "Airbnb annual net income: $26,025",
      "Long-term rental annual net income: $19,872",
      "Annual difference: $6,153"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter airbnb nightly rate ($).",
      "Enter airbnb occupancy rate (%).",
      "Enter cleaning cost per stay ($).",
      "Enter average nights per stay.",
      "Enter platform fee % (%).",
      "Enter long-term monthly rent ($).",
      "Enter property management fee % (%).",
      "Read your higher net annual income on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "nightlyRate": 90,
        "occupancyRate": 35,
        "cleaningCostPerStay": 50,
        "avgStayNights": 2,
        "platformFeePercent": 1.7999999999999998,
        "longTermMonthlyRent": 1100,
        "managementFeePercent": 5
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "nightlyRate": 150,
        "occupancyRate": 60,
        "cleaningCostPerStay": 80,
        "avgStayNights": 3,
        "platformFeePercent": 3,
        "longTermMonthlyRent": 1800,
        "managementFeePercent": 8
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "nightlyRate": 240,
        "occupancyRate": 95,
        "cleaningCostPerStay": 130,
        "avgStayNights": 5,
        "platformFeePercent": 4.800000000000001,
        "longTermMonthlyRent": 2900,
        "managementFeePercent": 13
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Does this account for local short-term rental regulations?",
      "a": "No — many cities restrict or ban short-term rentals or require permits; verify local zoning and licensing rules before assuming Airbnb income is even legally available."
    },
    {
      "q": "What about furnishing costs for Airbnb?",
      "a": "Short-term rentals require full furnishing and regular replacement of linens/supplies, an upfront and ongoing cost not included here that can meaningfully cut into net income in year one."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which has less hassle?",
      "a": "Long-term rentals require far less day-to-day management — one tenant, one lease, occasional turnover — versus the constant guest communication and turnover Airbnb requires unless you hire a co-host."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sell-vs-rent-your-house-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/buy-vs-rent-home-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/airbnb-vs-long-term-rental-cost)"
}