Revenue Potential Varies 300% Between Cities
A 2BR Airbnb in Nashville generates $3,200/month gross. The same unit in Phoenix generates $1,600/month. Same property type, same furniture budget, same effort — half the revenue.
The difference is the market. Tourism demand, competition density, seasonality, and local regulations determine whether your STR thrives or struggles. PIE ranked 30 US markets to find the best cities for Airbnb investment in 2026.
Check STR revenue, occupancy, and regulation risk for any US city — free.
Analyze an STR market free Free preview · No signup · Any US cityTop 10 Airbnb Investment Cities
| Rank | City | Monthly Rev (2BR) | ADR | Occupancy | Regulation Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville, TN | $3,200 | $185 | 72% | Medium |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $3,000 | $175 | 68% | Low |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $2,800 | $170 | 65% | Low |
| 4 | Tampa, FL | $2,600 | $155 | 70% | Low |
| 5 | Smoky Mountains, TN | $3,500 | $200 | 58% | Low |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $1,800 | $120 | 65% | Low |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $2,100 | $140 | 60% | Medium |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $2,200 | $150 | 58% | High |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | $1,900 | $125 | 63% | Low |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $1,400 | $100 | 60% | Low |
Key Takeaways
Smoky Mountains has the highest ADR ($200/night) but the most seasonality — 58% occupancy means 42% of nights sit empty. Budget for lean winter months.
Nashville and Austin lead for consistent revenue. Strong year-round tourism, manageable regulations, and 68–72% occupancy.
Regulation risk matters more than revenue. Portland shows decent revenue ($2,200/month) but the city has actively tightened STR rules since 2024. One ordinance change can eliminate your business model overnight.
→ Check regulation details for any city with the STR compliance guide.
"Bought a cabin near Gatlinburg after seeing PIE's ADR data. Average nightly rate is $195 — exactly what they projected. I net $2,400/month after management and cleaning. Best investment I've made."
→ See the best cities for buy-and-hold rentals if STR isn't your strategy.
→ Use the STR market guide for detailed revenue data on any city.
→ Learn financial metrics for evaluating STR deals.