Fort Walton Beach, FL Airbnb Market Data: Revenue, Occupancy & ADR

Within the market, two- and three-bedroom properties are the backbone of the Fort Walton Beach STR portfolio. Two-bedroom units, comprising 41% of supply, average $30,803 in annual revenue at a $253 ADR and 46% occupancy. Three-bedroom homes, making up 23% of the market, outperform with $40,026 in average annual revenue and a $342 ADR, also at 47% occupancy. Investors seeking scale or diversification should note the strong showing of four-bedrooms as well, which average $55,998 in revenue at a $450 ADR and 51% occupancy—though with a smaller pool of 145 listings. For tailored acquisition or portfolio expansion strategies, a Chalet agent can help navigate these clusters and surface product-level opportunities.

Geographically, the 32548 zip code is the market’s revenue engine, hosting 1,770 listings with a median annual revenue of $40,191, a $256 ADR, and 54% occupancy. Gross yields here are robust at 12.3% against a median home value of $327,585, making this area a focal point for both new entrants and portfolio consolidators. The adjacent 32547 zip code, with 101 listings, sees a slightly lower median revenue of $34,648 and an ADR of $183, but maintains a comparable 55% occupancy and 11.3% yield. These clusters offer a spectrum of price points and property types, giving investors flexibility in targeting their capital.

The investor case at scale is built on regional drive-to demand, with minimal international exposure (0.4%) and a guest base concentrated from Atlanta, Houston, Nashville, Birmingham, Dallas, and New Orleans. Booking lead times average 53 days (median 33), and average stays stretch to 5.8 nights, supporting stable shoulder-season income. Professional operators and superhosts dominate supply, with the top 10 hosts controlling over 40% of listings. For underwriting and scenario analysis, the Chalet ROI calculator provides granular, product-level projections tailored to Fort Walton Beach’s seasonality and demand profile.

Risks are real and evolving. Occupancy surged 31.5% year-over-year (Mar–May 2026 vs. prior), even as listing supply contracted by 17.2% and home values slipped 2.2%. This dynamic suggests a market in flux: tightening supply has buoyed operator performance, but falling home values and a pronounced January trough (0% occupancy) highlight exposure to both macro and seasonal shocks. Regulatory risk remains moderate—short-term rentals are legal, with no city-level permit or cap, but operators must secure a Florida state license and remit a 12% tax stack, including direct county payments. Enforcement is increasingly proactive; investors should monitor compliance requirements closely via Fort Walton Beach STR regulations.