Charleston

As of May 2026, Charleston, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Hilton Head Island have 8,264 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 10% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Charleston generates $93K per year. High-performing properties earn $202K/year, while low-performing properties earn $39K/year. The substantial variance between top and bottom tiers suggests that earnings are heavily polarized, likely driven by specific asset positioning rather than market-wide performance.

Average home prices in Charleston vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $318K, 2-bedroom homes average $349K, 3-bedroom properties are around $470K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $609K. These prices reflect median home values across the Charleston, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Hilton Head Island area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Charleston, with an average gross yield of 13% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 28%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This delta indicates that while baseline profitability persists, peak returns are concentrated among a specific segment of the inventory.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Charleston is 46%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $481, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $178 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Charleston, with an average gross yield of 16% and annual revenue of $161K. These properties balance purchase price ($609K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Charleston market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Charleston area. Charleston: Moderate. Business license required, zoning restrictions in residential areas. Enforcement varies by neighborhood, some illegal operations exist. Folly Beach: Strict. Business license mandatory, zoning limits STRs to specific areas, caps on permits. Active enforcement with violations prosecuted. Isle of Palms: Moderate. Business license and accommodations tax required. Standard compliance checks, moderate enforcement. Hilton Head Island: Moderate. Business license, accommodations tax, occupancy limits. Regular inspections, moderate enforcement activity. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Charleston Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 20%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous contraction in both supply and revenue suggests that market equilibrium is being maintained through a reduction in total capacity.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak summer season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 73% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (December-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Charleston listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (93%), Washing Machine (85%), Tv (72%), Balcony (62%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Pool, Washing Machine, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 53% more ($161K/year vs $105K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Charleston over the last 12 months: May: $7K, June: $7K, July: $8K, August: $6K, September: $4K, October: $5K, November: $4K, December: $4K, January: $2K, February: $3K, March: $7K, April: $9K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Charleston is $481, up 8% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $258/night, 2-bedroom properties average $319/night, 3-bedroom properties average $420/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $898/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in January.

Guests in Charleston book an average of 48 days in advance, down 12% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 40 days, 2-bedroom: 45 days, 3-bedroom: 48 days, 4+ bedroom: 57 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Charleston Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 10%, revenue per listing decreased 20%, occupancy fell 9%, average nightly rates increased 8%, and lead time decreased 12%. These shifts highlight a trend where price resilience is being tested by lower utilization and shorter booking windows.

In Charleston, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 39% higher occupancy than weekdays.