Outer Banks, NC
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Overview
Annual Rev
$62.9k
12 mo avg
↓3%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
30%
12 mo avg
↓6%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
$356
12 mo avg
↑10%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
47 days
12 mo avg
↓5 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
$119
12 mo avg
↓8%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Outer Banks market data as of September 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Avg. Zestimate
Gross yield
Supply
Amenity revenue impact
| Amenity | Est. revenue impact |
|---|---|
| Sauna | +39% $24,539/yr |
| EV Charger | 🔒 +1•% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Barbecue | 🔒 +8% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Gym | 🔒 +7% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Hot Tub | 🔒 +5% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| TV | 🔒 +5% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Internet | 🔒 +4% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Pool | 🔒 +4% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Heating | 🔒 +2% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Lake Access | 🔒 +2% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Parking | 🔒 +1% · $•••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
4+ bedrooms (6.8 nights)
3 bedrooms (6.0 nights)
2 bedrooms (5.5 nights)
1 bedroom (4.7 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
4+ bedrooms ($290)
3 bedrooms ($170)
2 bedrooms ($126)
1 bedroom ($74)
Professional host share
Professionally managed (83%)
Independent hosts (17%)
Housing market signals
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Over the 12 months ending August 2026, the Outer Banks market averaged 8,635 active Airbnb and VRBO listings, up 10% from a year earlier and up 57% over two years.
An average Outer Banks listing earns $52K/year. High-performing listings earn $117K, while low-performing listings earn $27K.
Median Outer Banks home prices by size are 1-bedroom $321K, 2-bedroom $306K, 3-bedroom $397K, and 4+ bedroom $537K.
Average gross yield is 12%, reaching 28% for high-performing listings. Gross yield excludes financing and operating costs, so net profitability varies by property.
Average occupancy in Outer Banks is 33%, producing RevPAR of $107 per available night.
2-bedroom listings have the highest average gross yield at 13%. They average $40K/year in revenue against a $306K median purchase price.
Rules vary across Outer Banks. Outer Banks (unincorporated Dare County): Lenient. Zoning permit and occupancy tax registration required. No owner-occupancy rules or rental caps. Light enforcement focused on tax collection. Nags Head: Lenient. Town permit, occupancy tax registration, zoning compliance. No owner-occupancy requirements. Minimal enforcement beyond tax compliance. Kill Devil Hills: Lenient. Business license and occupancy tax required. Zoning restrictions in some areas. Light enforcement, mainly tax-focused. Kitty Hawk: Lenient. Business license, tax registration, zoning compliance needed. No density limits. Minimal active enforcement. Verify requirements for the property's jurisdiction.
The Outer Banks Airbnb and VRBO market appears broadly balanced. Supply has grown 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 3%, showing no clear supply-demand imbalance.
RevPAR is highest in July and June; it is lowest in January and February.
The most common amenities are Air Conditioning (100%), Kitchen (98%), TV (97%). The strongest positive revenue associations are Washing Machine (+61%), Pool (+43%), Hot Tub (+41%).
Average daily rate in Outer Banks is $362, up 3% year-over-year. Rates peak in July and are lowest in December.
Guests in Outer Banks book an average of 51 days in advance. Booking windows range from 36 days for 1-bedroom listings to 59 days for 4+ bedroom listings.
Booking demand is highest on Friday and lowest on Monday. Nightly rates peak on Sunday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekend occupancy is 18% higher than weekday occupancy.