16 tracked markets

Source: BNBCalc market metadata · Reviewed by Parker Place, CTO of BNBCalc.com · Data updated August 17, 2026

Best Airbnb Markets in North Carolina by Gross Yield

Lake Norman is the top North Carolina short-term rental market across Airbnb and Vrbo by gross yield, with 22.4% gross yield, $78,554 in average annual revenue, and 955 active listings.

Top gross yield

22.4%

Lake Norman

Median gross yield

12.9%

16 markets with yield data

Median annual revenue

$38.8K

Average listing revenue

Tracked markets

16

Statewide market coverage

Filter market rankings

Default rankings show all bedrooms at the average performance tier.

Bedroom count

Performance tier

Top 10 North Carolina Airbnb and Vrbo Markets

Lake Norman short-term rental market

#1

Lake Norman

Lake Norman provides short-term rental investors with a strong annual revenue of $66,715 and an impressive $445 average daily rate. While the 19.2% gross yield is highly attractive for buyers, they must manage their expectations around a lower 37% occupancy rate across the 901 active listings.

Yield

22.4%

Revenue

$78.6K

Listings

955

Jacksonville short-term rental market

#2

Jacksonville

The Jacksonville short-term rental market delivers a solid 14.6% gross yield and a strong average daily rate of $330. However, with 1,746 active listings, buyers must employ highly effective marketing strategies to overcome a 33% occupancy rate and secure the $43,162 in annual revenue.

Yield

17.7%

Revenue

$52.8K

Listings

1,817

Fayetteville short-term rental market

#3

Fayetteville

In Fayetteville, short-term rental investors can expect a 14.1% gross yield and an average daily rate of $222. However, with 1,127 active listings competing for guests, a moderate 36% occupancy rate means that active management is required to consistently secure the market's $31,448 average annual revenue.

Yield

15.6%

Revenue

$35.2K

Listings

1,165

Outer Banks short-term rental market

#4

Outer Banks

The Outer Banks short-term rental market delivers a strong average daily rate of $360 and an 11.3% gross yield for active investors. However, with 4,675 active listings competing for guests, a low 34% occupancy rate presents a challenge to achieving the market's $47,327 annual revenue potential.

Yield

15.0%

Revenue

$62.9K

Listings

4,711

Emerald Isle short-term rental market

#5

Emerald Isle

For short-term rental investors, Emerald Isle presents a healthy 8.8% gross yield and an average daily rate of $287, resulting in $31,926 in annual revenue. However, the market's low 28% occupancy rate across 1,430 active listings suggests that operators must carefully optimize their booking calendars to remain profitable.

Yield

14.7%

Revenue

$54.1K

Listings

1,498

Wilmington (NC) short-term rental market

#6

Wilmington (NC)

Wilmington (NC), North Carolina generates an impressive annual revenue of $47,968 and an 11.8% gross yield, driven by a $339 average daily rate. However, investors must navigate a highly competitive environment with 6,313 active listings and a moderate occupancy rate of 36%.

Yield

14.3%

Revenue

$58.5K

Listings

6,482

New Bern short-term rental market

#7

New Bern

New Bern features a short-term rental market with 611 active listings, providing a gross yield of 12.2% for prospective real estate investors. The market currently supports an average daily rate of $190 and a 36% occupancy rate, resulting in a moderate annual revenue of $27,182.

Yield

13.8%

Revenue

$31.0K

Listings

632

Hickory short-term rental market

#8

Hickory

The Hickory short-term rental market features a solid 11.6% gross yield and an attractive average daily rate of $277. However, with a massive inventory of 10,143 active listings and a low 32% occupancy rate, investors face intense competition to secure the projected $38,049 in annual revenue.

Yield

13.4%

Revenue

$44.2K

Listings

10,568

Fontana Lake short-term rental market

#9

Fontana Lake

Fontana Lake offers short-term rental investors a solid 11.1% gross yield and an annual revenue of $34,180. However, with 1,853 active listings competing in the market, hosts must optimize their pricing strategies to overcome a relatively low 32% occupancy rate and a $239 ADR.

Yield

12.4%

Revenue

$38.9K

Listings

1,887

Greensboro short-term rental market

#10

Greensboro

Greensboro offers short-term rental investors a steady 10.9% gross yield and $31,383 in annual revenue across 883 active listings. To capture the market's 36% occupancy rate and $217 ADR, hosts must focus on standout property presentation to outcompete other local listings.

Yield

11.1%

Revenue

$31.9K

Listings

916

All North Carolina Short-Term Rental Markets

Every market below links to its full BNBCalc market page. Rankings use gross yield first, then annual revenue when yield is missing.

Active listings are Airbnb and Vrbo listings observed as active in the selected market metadata segment. The all-bedrooms view uses all active listings in that market; bedroom filters use the active listing count for the selected bedroom group.

RankMarketGross yieldAnnual revenueMonthly revenueADROccupancyListingsPurchase price
#1Lake Norman22.4%$78,554$6,546$40543%955$350,195
#2Jacksonville17.7%$52,776$4,398$32337%1,817$298,361
#3Fayetteville15.6%$35,190$2,932$19841%1,165$225,209
#4Outer Banks15.0%$62,921$5,243$35638%4,711$419,399
#5Emerald Isle14.7%$54,137$4,511$32037%1,498$367,437
#6Wilmington (NC)14.3%$58,503$4,875$34339%6,482$409,560
#7New Bern13.8%$30,998$2,583$18740%632$225,357
#8Hickory13.4%$44,187$3,682$26337%10,568$330,558
#9Fontana Lake12.4%$38,852$3,238$23137%1,887$313,984
#10Greensboro11.1%$31,935$2,661$19939%916$288,322
#11Winston-Salem10.3%$28,674$2,389$18736%840$278,006
#12Raleigh10.2%$35,786$2,982$19943%2,605$351,078
#13Chapel Hill9.4%$33,159$2,763$19142%819$354,183
#14Brevard9.0%$38,727$3,227$24737%1,252$430,948
#15Charlotte8.6%$38,327$3,194$20244%2,823$445,208
#16Highlands5.8%$46,864$3,905$37231%656$809,978

How We Rank Markets

For US markets, BNBCalc ranks state market pages by gross yield: annual Airbnb and Vrbo short-term rental revenue divided by estimated property value. Gross yield is a fast way to compare market-level opportunity before operating expenses, financing, taxes, insurance, seasonality, and local rules.

  • Annual revenue uses ADR, adjusted occupancy, and estimated cleaning revenue when cleaning and stay data exists.

  • ADR is nightly-only and excludes cleaning fees and other guest fees.

  • Occupancy is adjusted occupancy of bookable nights, excluding host-blocked nights.

  • Gross yield uses annual revenue divided by estimated property value; it does not include operating expenses, financing, taxes, or local regulation risk.

Compare Rental Demand in North Carolina

For long-term rental context, compare statewide Section 8 Fair Market Rent data alongside short-term rental market performance.

Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Airbnb and Vrbo Markets