Airbnb market analysis and investment insights
$286
North Myrtle Beach, SC — Market Intelligence Report
Researched by Chalet's Senior STR Analysts · Verified with local North Myrtle Beach market partners
North Myrtle Beach stands out as a volume-driven, professionally managed short-term rental market, defined by its robust year-round demand and a highly seasonal revenue profile. The canonical Chalet data point: active full-time operators average $41,123 in annual Airbnb revenue across 1,745 listings, with July alone delivering $5,905 at 87% occupancy and a $314 ADR. While the broader market median is $47,896, that figure is buoyed by part-time and casual listings; the professional cohort’s performance is the more reliable investment benchmark. Median occupancy sits at 53%, and the typical home value is $386,382, yielding a median gross return of 12.4%. Nationally, North Myrtle Beach ranks #77 for STR performance, but the market’s peak-to-trough seasonality is stark: January revenue drops to just $2,132, with occupancy plunging to 6%.
The backbone of the market is the 3BR and 4BR segment, which together comprise nearly half of all supply. Three-bedroom properties average $41,410 in annual revenue with a $320 ADR and 49% occupancy, closely mirroring the overall active operator average. Four-bedroom homes, however, are the clear revenue workhorses among scalable products, generating $62,635 per year at a $478 ADR and 52% occupancy. These units command a premium in both nightly rate and annual take, and their supply is deep enough (604 listings) to provide reliable comps for new entrants. For investors seeking hands-on guidance in this segment, a Chalet agent can help source and underwrite high-performing inventory.
At the upper end, larger homes (5BR–8BR) deliver outsized returns for operators willing to manage higher price points and guest counts. Six-bedroom listings, for example, average $80,326 in annual revenue with a $722 ADR and 50% occupancy, while eight-bedroom properties reach $133,006 at $1,047 ADR and 52% occupancy. These outsized figures reflect both the scarcity and the premium attached to group and family travel in peak season. The 29582 zip code, encompassing the city’s entire STR core, posts a median annual revenue of $47,896 and a 12.3% yield on a $388,393 median home value—underscoring the market’s consistency for both midscale and luxury product types.
North Myrtle Beach’s investor thesis is built on drive-market demand from the Carolinas and the Southeast, with international guests accounting for just 1.1% of stays. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Columbia are the top feeder markets, and the average booking lead time is a healthy 56 days (median 32), supporting predictable cash flow and efficient calendar management. The typical stay runs 5.7 nights, favoring operators who can optimize for weekly and extended bookings. For investors modeling returns at scale, the Chalet ROI calculator is indispensable for scenario planning in this highly seasonal environment.
Risks are concentrated around home value volatility and regulatory drift. Chalet data show a -3.1% year-over-year decline in median home values, the most material movement in the market’s fundamentals. While revenue, occupancy, and ADR have all rebounded sharply in the trailing 12 months, the January trough remains a real drag on annualized returns, and the city’s regulatory posture is in flux. Short-term rentals remain legal with no cap or moratorium, but active rulemaking is underway, and compliance costs are material given the high 9%+ effective lodging tax. Investors should monitor ongoing developments via North Myrtle Beach STR regulations and underwrite conservatively for regulatory risk.
North Myrtle Beach’s short-term rental market is a scale play for professional operators who can navigate sharp seasonality and evolving regulation, with $41,123 in average annual revenue and a proven track record for larger homes driving the investment case.
Get matched with top North Myrtle Beach, SC lenders who specialize in short-term rental financing — they understand STR underwriting and offer competitive rates for investment properties.
