Athens Airbnb Rental Market Data, Revenue and Occupancy Rates 2026

All Real Estate Services are offered through Chalet Realty (DBA of Mahalla Realty LLC).

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Services TREC Disclaimer

Chalet (“GetChalet Inc.”) provides general educational content and tools for real-estate investors. Chalet is not a law firm, CPA firm, or investment adviser, and does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Nothing on this site creates a CPA-client, attorney-client, or fiduciary relationship. Tax laws change, and state rules may differ from federal rules (e.g., California decouples from federal bonus depreciation). Always consult your own qualified tax and legal professionals about your specific situation.

The term 'Airbnb' is used on our site in a colloquial sense, akin to saying 'I am going to Airbnb it.' This usage is intended to refer broadly to the concept of short-term rentals and not specifically to the Airbnb platform or services. Airbnb, Inc. is not affiliated with Chalet, nor does it endorse or sponsor our services. We use the term in this generalized manner to easily convey the idea of participating in short-term rental activities, recognizing 'Airbnb' as a term familiar to many in this context.

Affiliate & Referral Disclosure. Chalet may receive referral fees or other consideration when you engage with featured agents, lenders, cost-seg providers, or other partners referenced on this site. These relationships may influence which partners we present. We follow the FTC Endorsement Guides and aim to disclose material connections clearly and conspicuously.

Chalet (DBA of GetChalet Inc.) is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Airbnb, Airbnb.com, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. The official Airbnb website can be found at http://www.airbnb.com. The name "Airbnb" as well as related names, marks, emblems and images are registered trademarks of Airbnb, Inc.

Is Athens, GA a good Airbnb market in 2026?

Yes, with caveats: Athens, GA is a solid Airbnb market for full-time, owner-occupier operators, with active hosts averaging $44,495 in annual revenue, 38% occupancy, and a $215 ADR (Chalet data). Regulations are strict—only owner-occupied STRs are allowed in residential zones with a license.

Top-quartile operators see upside to $86,564. The whole-market median revenue ($46,608) is diluted by part-time listings, so benchmark against active operator figures. See [Athens STR regulations](/rental-regulations/athens-ga) for compliance details.

Operator Revenue (full-time active)

$44,495/yr

vs. headline average of $46,608 · 176 active listings

Average Daily Rate

$215

Gross Yield

14%

Ranked #73 in the US

Occupancy Rate

38%

New this quarter

Q2 2026 Market Momentum

Revenue and occupancy both rose YoY — demand is outpacing the prior cycle.

Active Operator Revenue (Q2)

$11,398$8,48834.3%

Per active full-time listing, Apr–Jun

Average Occupancy (Q2)

44.9%43.4%1.5%

Investment thesis

Why invest in Athens, GA Airbnb rentals?

Athens, Georgia’s short-term rental market is defined by its steady, mid-tier returns and a regulatory environment that rewards owner-occupiers. Active full-time operators in Athens average $44,495 in annual Airbnb revenue, according to Chalet data—a figure that outpaces the whole-market median of $46,608, which is diluted by a significant part-time and casual host base. The market’s median occupancy sits at a modest 38%, with an average daily rate (ADR) of $215 and a median gross yield of 13.5% on a median home value of $344,107. Nationally, Athens ranks #131 for STR performance. Seasonality is moderate but material: September is the revenue peak at $3,485, while June marks the trough at $2,111, a swing that underscores the importance of targeting high-demand months.

Product segmentation in Athens is sharply defined by bedroom count. Three-bedroom homes are a workhorse for active hosts, averaging $43,637 in annual revenue at a $350 ADR, while four-bedroom properties push that to $65,469 with a $502 ADR—both segments maintaining 39% occupancy. The five-bedroom segment, though only 3% of supply, delivers a striking $101,662 average annual revenue and a $947 ADR, but it remains a niche play given limited inventory. Investors seeking to optimize for scale and liquidity will find the three- and four-bedroom segments most actionable. For tailored acquisition strategies and on-the-ground insight, a Chalet agent can provide direct comparables in these high-performing clusters.

Geographically, the 30606 and 30605 zip codes emerge as the most attractive clusters for STR investment. In 30606, 210 listings post a median annual revenue of $38,940, with a $227 ADR and a 13.5% yield on a $355,909 median home value. Meanwhile, 30605 offers a slightly lower median revenue at $36,398 but compensates with higher occupancy (48%) and the market’s highest gross yield at 11.5% on a $316,066 median home. The 30601 cluster, while central, trails slightly in revenue and yield. These data points suggest that investors prioritizing yield and occupancy should focus on 30605, while those seeking higher nightly rates may prefer 30606—again, a Chalet agent can help navigate the nuances of each neighborhood.

At scale, Athens rewards operators who can capture demand from Atlanta (10.1% of guest reviews), as well as regional drive markets like Savannah, Charlotte, and Augusta. The average booking lead time is 41 days (median 16), with an average stay of 3.7 nights, indicating a blend of planned event-driven bookings and short-notice travel. The guest mix is overwhelmingly domestic, with international travelers comprising just 1.5% of reviews. Operators who optimize for UGA-related events and collegiate calendar peaks will outperform. To model returns and stress-test assumptions, the Chalet ROI calculator is indispensable for scenario planning.

Risks in Athens are concentrated around regulatory compliance and market seasonality. The most reliable year-over-year signal is a +1.4% increase in home values (Chalet data), suggesting capital preservation remains intact. However, June is the clear seasonal trough for revenue, and occupancy can dip as low as 21% in January. Regulatory risk is non-trivial: commercial (non-owner-occupied) STRs are banned in residential zones, and only owner-occupied STRs are permitted with a license—investors must scrutinize zoning and compliance requirements closely (Athens STR regulations).

Athens, GA is a yield-driven, regulation-bound market where full-time, owner-occupier operators—especially in 3–4BR homes in 30605 and 30606—capture the lion’s share of Airbnb returns.

Chalet exclusive

The market average hides a two-tier reality

Most market reports quote a single average, but in every STR market a wide gap separates full-time professional operators from part-time and underperforming listings. Underwriting against that average understates the upside for operators willing to do the work — and overstates it for everyone else.

Chalet's active-operator benchmark filters out part-time and dormant listings so you can underwrite against what real operators in this market actually earn.

Top Quartile Operators$86,564

Top 25% of 175 listings

Active Operator Average$44,495

← This is your real underwriting benchmark

All-Listings Average$32,832

What typical market reports quote — every listing, incl. part-time

Where are you in your STR journey?

Three ways investors typically use this page. Pick the one that matches you.

Highest ROI segment

I'm converting an LTR to STR

See the revenue lift and occupancy upside of switching a long-term rental to a short-term in Athens.

Run LTR → STR comparison

Monthly Revenue & Seasonality

Revenue per active listing in Athens, GA, by month. Demand peaks Sep–Nov.

Monthly Revenue Trend

Revenue per active listing by month in Athens, GA

$4,575

Season	Occ.	Revenue
Summer Jun–Aug	51%	$3,767
Spring Mar–May	43%	$3,256
Fall Sep–Nov	40%	$4,635
Winter Dec–Feb	32%	$2,906

Monthly Occupancy & Daily Rates

How occupancy and ADR move through the year — peak, shoulder, and low season patterns.

Monthly Occupancy Rate

Annual avg 41% · peaks at 61% in Aug

61% (Aug)

Summer peak

41%

Annual avg

Revenue by Bedroom Count

Annual revenue, occupancy, and ADR by bedroom configuration — Athens runs mostly 1 Bedrooms, but 5 Bedrooms deliver the highest annual revenue.

Bedrooms	Listings	Occupancy	ADR	Annual Revenue
Studio	12	37%	$156	$21,249
1 BedroomMost common	230	36%	$149	$19,605
2 Bedroom	200	40%

Home Values & Guest Demand

Median home-value trend and where Athens guests travel from.

Median Home Value

$344,107▲ 2.00% YoY

Source: Zillow ZHVI

Peak: $344,107 in May 2026

Athens home values are roughly flat — acquisition cost is stable for now, so cash-flow modeling should focus on revenue and expenses, not appreciation.

Where Guests Come From

Top origin cities · Athens

Best Neighborhoods for Airbnb in Athens (2026)

Top-performing neighborhoods ranked by gross yield. Click any neighborhood for full analytics.

Downtown

Annual Rev

$30,220

Yield

Listings

Step 1: Find your Athens team

Match with Athens's top STR-specialist agents

Get matched with Athens, GA realtors who specialize in short-term rentals — they know which neighborhoods actually cash flow and which to avoid. We've vetted them all.

No fees · Average match in 5 minutes

553

Active STRs tracked in Athens

$344K

Median home value

Step 2: Line up financing

Match with STR-specialist lenders

Conventional lenders often won't underwrite STR income. We connect you with lenders who use DSCR, projected revenue, and Airbnb-specific underwriting.

Compliance & Rules

Airbnb Rules & Regulations in Athens, GA

Before setting up an Airbnb in Athens, review the local STR regulations and confirm any HOA restrictions on your specific property.

Full Athens STR regulation guide

Are Airbnbs legal in Athens, Georgia?

Yes, Airbnbs are legal in Athens, GA, but only owner-occupied short-term rentals are allowed in residential zones; commercial STRs are banned.

Do I need a license to operate an Airbnb in Athens?

Yes, all STR operators must obtain a business occupation tax certificate (business license).

Step 3: Stress-test the deal

Calculate your Airbnb income potential in Athens, GA

Run any Athens address through Chalet's calculator — instant, data-backed estimates of occupancy, nightly rate, and annual revenue, plus cash flow and returns.

Calculate Your Income Potential

Athens market average

$46,608

/yr

Projected gross rental income at market occupancy and nightly rate.

Avg daily rate

$215

Occupancy

38%

Gross yield

14%

Calculator unlocks the full per-property deal report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to the questions investors ask most about this market.

Is Airbnb profitable in Athens, GA?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental in Athens, GA can be highly profitable. Listings see consistent guest demand, with hosts earning an average of $46,608 annually at 38% occupancy.

How much can you make on Airbnb in Athens, GA?

Hosts average $46,608 per year. Bedroom count drives the spread: Studios average $21,249, 1 Bedrooms average $19,605, 2 Bedrooms average $32,368.

Trust & Sources

How we build this report

Data sources

Proprietary Chalet STR performance data (553 active listings tracked daily)
Local Chalet market-partner verification
City permit records and public county data

Methodology notes

Active operator = listing with sustained availability and booking activity over the trailing 12 months
Revenue figures are gross of platform fees, before operating expenses and taxes
Updated monthly · last refresh July 2026

Explore Other Markets in this State

Discover other high-performing Airbnb markets in the same state as Athens, GA

Augusta, GA

29%

Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice.

Athens Airbnb Rental Market Data, Revenue and Occupancy Rates 2026

TOOLS & CALCULATORS

LEARNING & RESOURCES

SERVICES & PARTNERS

MARKET INSIGHTS

Athens, GA