If you’re considering jumping into the Florida Airbnb game, congrats! You’re about to invest in a state where tourists flock in droves, carrying sunscreen and wallets full of cash.
But before you go snapping up properties, let’s look at which markets may leave you sunburned or made in the shade.
1. Kissimmee: Orlando’s Budget-Friendly Cousin
Kissimmee is the real estate version of a steal—it’s affordable and only a short drive away from the land of Mickey ears, overpriced churros, and happily screaming children. While Orlando might be the big-name draw, Kissimmee is where savvy investors quietly rake in the dough. Why?
- Average Daily Rate (ADR): $330
- Occupancy Rate: 59%
- Annual Revenue: $71,065
Affordable homes
Consider Kissimmee the bargain bin, where all the hidden gems live. Home values are lower than in Orlando, but the location is so close to all the action that tourists don’t care if they can get a deal. Use an investor-friendly agent who can help you navigate the different properties coming on the market or, even better, off the market.
High occupancy rates
Families and groups come for the magic of theme parks but don’t always want to shell out Disney resort prices (especially after buying $30 Mickey balloons). As an Airbnb host, you offer a sweet deal while reaping high occupancy rates.
With the average median home price of $373,138, the lowest on this list, and occupancy rates at the top, Kissimmee might be the hardest to pronounce but the easiest to invest in.
2. Key West: Where the Sun Sets and Your Profits Rise
Key West is the home of margaritas, Hemingway, and sunsets, and it makes people pull out their phones to take pictures faster than a seagull on a french fry. But beyond the laid-back vibe, Key West is the golden goose of Airbnb investments. Sure, properties here cost a pretty penny (average $1.09 million, according to Zillow), but you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank once those nightly rates start rolling in.
- Average Daily Rate (ADR): $626
- Occupancy Rate: 63%
- Annual Revenue: $143,948
Premium prices for premium views
You know how people will pay crazy amounts for anything “oceanfront” or “sunset view”? Yeah, that’s Key West for you. The nightly rates here aren’t just high—they’re “let’s book this place so we can Instagram the view” high. And for you, that means more cash flow to pay that high mortgage.
Year-round demand
Unlike other spots with seasons (boooo), Key West operates on a 12-month schedule of tourists who never seem to leave. Whether it’s winter snowbirds or summer partiers, your Airbnb will always have someone ready to pay top dollar for that island escape.
So, while your guests sip piña coladas, you can kick back and enjoy the sweet sound of your Baselane account going up.
3. Miami: Flashy, Fun, and Financially Rewarding
Miami: Where the streets are lined with neon, the nightlife never stops, and every corner feels like it’s been designed for reality TV.
But beyond the flash, there’s some serious real estate potential. Miami is a hot spot (literally) for tourists and business travelers alike, making it a prime location for an Airbnb investor to cash in.
- Average Daily Rate (ADR): $277
- Occupancy Rate: 56%
- Annual Revenue: $56,618
High-end and midrange properties
Whether you’re investing in a downtown condo or a slightly more affordable suburb, Miami offers a range of property options. Want to cater to partygoers on South Beach? Great! Do you prefer attracting business professionals with a swanky downtown apartment? Also great! There’s money to be made at all levels.
International appeal
Miami isn’t just a destination for Floridians trying to escape the rest of Florida. It’s an international hub that attracts visitors from Latin America, Europe, and beyond. This constant influx of foreign guests keeps Airbnb occupancy rates sky-high, regardless of season.
So, whether it’s the Art Basel crowd or spring breakers, your Miami Airbnb will work overtime (while you sip mojitos).
4. Miami Beach: Like Miami, But With More Sand and Celebrities
Just a quick hop across the bridge from Miami, Miami Beach is basically Miami’s more laid-back, beachier, and pricier cousin. If Miami is the party, Miami Beach is the VIP lounge.
These properties cater to a higher-end crowd, meaning you can charge premium rates for short-term rentals. With the median home price hovering around $541,438, you’ll need a bigger investment upfront to start hosting the high-paying beachgoers who flock to Miami Beach yearly.
- Average Daily Rate (ADR): $360.5
- Occupancy Rate: 56%
- Annual Revenue: $73,686
Oceanfront luxury
Properties in Miami Beach, especially ones with an ocean view, are money printers. The moment you slap “beachfront” in your Airbnb listing, you can watch the booking requests (and dollars) roll in.
Year-round events
From Art Basel to music festivals, Miami Beach always has something happening, bringing tourists in droves. And unlike in Miami, where regulations are slightly more relaxed, Miami Beach has stricter rules on short-term rentals, which means fewer competitors for you!
Navigating the regulations is a bit more work, but it’s worth it when your guests are shelling out hundreds (or thousands) per night.
5. Orlando: Mickey Mouse’s Kingdom of Cash
Orlando needs no introduction—it’s the global epicenter of theme park mania. With Disney World, Universal Studios, and a host of other attractions, tourists flock to Orlando. And with that comes a massive demand for short-term rentals, making it a perfect spot for Airbnb investors.
- Average Daily Rate (ADR): $216
- Occupancy Rate: 61%
- Annual Revenue: $48,092
Constant flow of tourists
Orlando’s theme parks are magnets for families worldwide, and many prefer renting homes instead of staying in overpriced resorts. With families filling up your Airbnb 365 days a year, occupancy rates here rarely take a dip.
Affordable entry point
Orlando properties are more affordable than expected. The average median home is $373,927, making it a sweet spot for investors. For a relatively low cost, you can enter the Airbnb market and cater to tourists eager for a place to stay between their daily theme park marathons.
It’s like having a front-row seat to the magic kingdom of cash flow—and you don’t even have to wear a Mickey Mouse hat to enjoy it.
Some (Actually Important) Final Thoughts
If you play your cards right, serious money can be made in these five Florida cities. And once that money rolls in, you will need a serious platform to help sort through it.
That’s where Baselane comes in. It’s banking built for real estate investors and offers a comprehensive suite of banking and financial management tools specifically designed for short-term rental investors. Their services include banking, rent collection, automated accounting, and reporting, all integrated into a single platform. Once you pick your perfect Florida market, you’ll realize how critical a platform like Baselane can be.
So whether you’re ready to invest in a roller-coaster city like Orlando or a tropical paradise like Key West, Florida’s Airbnb market is hotter than the midday sun. Now go forth, find your ideal property, and watch your profits rise faster than a beachgoer’s tan lines!
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Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.