Best Florida Cities for Airbnb in 2026: Revenue, Occupancy and Nightly Rates

Updated October 2026

Short answer: by average Airbnb revenue per listing over the last 12 months, the top Florida markets are Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, Destin, West Palm Beach and Miami. Kissimmee and Orlando have the most listings and steady family demand, while Tampa, St. Petersburg and Jacksonville earn less per listing but cost less to buy into. Below are the numbers for 11 markets and what to weigh before you choose.

Contents

• Florida Airbnb markets compared
• What the numbers mean
• Market by market
• Regulations and taxes in Florida
• Don't forget cleaning costs
• How to choose a market
• FAQ

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Florida Airbnb markets compared

Data from AirROI's Florida report (trailing 12 months, updated September 2026). Annual revenue is the average monthly revenue per active listing times 12.

• Fort Lauderdale: about $46,600 a year, $391 average nightly rate, 43.8% occupancy, 3,817 active listings
• Miami Beach: about $43,200, $393 nightly, 40.1% occupancy, 4,553 listings
• Destin: about $41,500, $477 nightly, 34.7% occupancy, 4,205 listings
• West Palm Beach: about $38,800, $315 nightly, 44.6% occupancy, 1,389 listings
• Miami: about $37,100, $319 nightly, 43.9% occupancy, 8,798 listings
• Kissimmee: about $35,200, $290 nightly, 44.8% occupancy, 10,688 listings
• Panama City Beach: about $31,800, $355 nightly, 35.7% occupancy, 10,141 listings
• Orlando: about $29,500, $243 nightly, 43.8% occupancy, 4,520 listings
• Tampa: about $25,400, $215 nightly, 42.1% occupancy, 4,388 listings
• St. Petersburg: about $19,600, $187 nightly, 40.8% occupancy, 1,405 listings
• Jacksonville: about $17,700, $172 nightly, 40.1% occupancy, 2,416 listings

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What the numbers mean

• These are averages across all active listings, from studios to large homes. A well-run, well-reviewed property can do much better than the average; a part-time listing does worse.
• Data providers disagree. AirDNA, AirROI and others count listings and occupancy differently. For example, AirDNA reports a higher occupancy for Tampa than AirROI. Compare markets within one source, not across sources.
• Revenue isn't profit. Subtract your mortgage or rent, HOA, insurance (high in coastal Florida), utilities, taxes, supplies, platform fees and cleaning.

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Market by market

Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach

Strong year-round demand from beaches, cruise ports and winter visitors, with high nightly rates. Competition is lower than Miami's, especially in West Palm Beach.

Miami and Miami Beach

The biggest international demand in Florida and very high nightly rates, but also strict local rules: Miami Beach restricts short-term rentals in many residential neighborhoods, so check zoning before you buy.

Kissimmee and Orlando

Theme park demand keeps these markets busy all year, and large vacation homes with pools are common, especially in Kissimmee. Lots of supply means competition, so amenities and reviews matter.

Destin and Panama City Beach

Gulf Coast beach markets with the highest nightly rates on this list but lower year-round occupancy, because summer and spring break carry most of the year.

Tampa, St. Petersburg and Jacksonville

Lower revenue per listing, but generally lower purchase prices, steady business and event travel, and less saturation. Good options for a first property.

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Regulations and taxes in Florida

• State license. Most short-term rentals of a whole home or condo need a vacation rental license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
• Taxes. Florida sales tax plus the county tourist development tax apply to stays under six months. Airbnb collects some of these automatically in many counties; check what's left for you to file.
• Local rules. Cities and counties can require registration, inspections, occupancy limits and parking rules, and some neighborhoods restrict short-term rentals. HOA and condo rules can be stricter than the city's.

This isn't legal advice; confirm the current rules with the city, county and HOA before you invest.

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Don't forget cleaning costs

Cleaning is one of the biggest recurring costs, and it grows with property size. Estimates from the KwickTurn cleaning cost calculator for standard turnovers (October 2026) range from $90 to $120 for a 1-bedroom in Miami Beach to $325 to $375 for a 4-bedroom home in Kissimmee. Factor in how many turnovers a month your expected occupancy and average stay will create, and read how to set your Airbnb cleaning fee.

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How to choose a market

1. Start with your budget. High-revenue markets usually cost more to buy into.
2. Check the rules first. A great market is worthless if your building or neighborhood bans short-term rentals.
3. Look at seasonality. Beach markets earn most of their year in a few months; theme park and city markets are steadier.
4. Run real comps. Look at 10 to 20 listings similar to the one you'd buy, not the citywide average.
5. Plan operations. If you won't live nearby, line up a reliable cleaner and backup before your first booking. Here's how to find a reliable Airbnb cleaner.

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FAQ

What is the most profitable city for Airbnb in Florida?
By average revenue per listing in AirROI's 2026 data, Fort Lauderdale leads, followed by Miami Beach and Destin. Profit depends on your purchase price, costs and how well you run the listing.

Is Airbnb legal in Florida?
Yes, with a state vacation rental license in most cases, plus local and HOA rules that vary by city and building.

Can I manage a Florida Airbnb remotely?
Yes. Many owners do it with a local cleaner, a backup, a smart lock and an app that turns bookings into cleaning jobs automatically. See the best Airbnb cleaning apps for hosts.

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Hosting in Florida? KwickTurn connects you with local cleaners in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville, and automates every turnover. Download it free on the App Store or Google Play.