Question 1

How many Airbnb and VRBO listings are in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

Over the 12 months ending September 2026, the Traverse City market averaged 6,142 active Airbnb and VRBO listings, up 7% from a year earlier and up 41% over two years.

Question 2

How much do Airbnbs and VRBOs make in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

An average Traverse City listing earns $39K/year. High-performing listings earn $91K, while low-performing listings earn $19K.

Question 3

How much does it cost to buy an Airbnb or VRBO property in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

Median Traverse City home prices by size are 1-bedroom $296K, 2-bedroom $208K, 3-bedroom $304K, and 4+ bedroom $461K.

Question 4

What is the occupancy rate for Airbnb and VRBO in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

Average occupancy in Traverse City is 28%, producing RevPAR of $82 per available night.

Question 5

Are short-term rentals legal in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

Rules vary across Traverse City. Traverse City: Moderate. Registration required, safety inspections, zoning compliance. Enforcement active in residential zones with complaints driving action.
Petoskey: Moderate. Business license and registration mandatory, occupancy limits enforced. City actively monitors compliance and issues violations.
Charlevoix: Lenient. Business license required but minimal oversight. Light enforcement, primarily complaint-driven.
Sleeping Bear Dunes: Strict. National Park Service heavily restricts STRs within park boundaries. Township regulations vary but enforcement is active where prohibited. Verify requirements for the property's jurisdiction.

Question 6

Is the Traverse City Airbnb and VRBO market oversaturated?

Accepted Answer

The Traverse City Airbnb and VRBO market appears broadly balanced. Supply has grown 7% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 14%, showing no clear supply-demand imbalance.

Question 7

When is peak season for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

RevPAR is highest in July and August; it is lowest in March and April.

Question 8

Which Airbnb and VRBO amenities matter most in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

The most common amenities are Heating (97%), TV (96%), Parking (96%). The strongest positive revenue associations are Washing Machine (+51%), Internet (+49%), Hot Tub (+37%).

Question 9

What is the average nightly rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

Average daily rate in Traverse City is $330, up 15% year-over-year. Rates peak in July and are lowest in March.

Question 10

How far in advance do guests book Airbnb and VRBO stays in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

Guests in Traverse City book an average of 41 days in advance, up 5% from last year. Booking windows range from 35 days for 1-bedroom listings to 50 days for 4+ bedroom listings.

Question 11

Which days of the week perform best for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Traverse City?

Accepted Answer

Booking demand is highest on Saturday and lowest on Tuesday. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekend occupancy is 63% higher than weekday occupancy.

Question 12

How is gross yield calculated?

Accepted Answer

For each eligible home, annual room-revenue potential is divided by a ZIP- and bedroom-matched home-value estimate. Groups show the median of those yields. Cleaning income is excluded. Gross yield is before expenses and financing.

Neighborhood	Revenue (potential)	Gross yield
1.Osceola Country	$49.1K 26 listings	23.4% 26 listings
2.Harrison and Clare Country	$31.6K 44 listings	20.3% 44 listings
3.Baldwin and Southern Lake County	$35.7K 38 listings	17.6% 38 listings
4.Kalkaska and Northern Lake Country	$40.9K 40 listings	17.3% 40 listings
5.Grayling and Crawford Country	$34.2K 54 listings	16.1% 54 listings
6.Lake Ann and Eastern Benzie	$55.8K 29 listings	14.6% 29 listings
7.Hamlin Lake and Township	$39.1K 35 listings	14.5% 35 listings
8.Southeast Traverse City	$44.1K 55 listings	14.2% 55 listings
9.Interlochen and Green Lake Country	$55.1K 56 listings	14.1% 56 listings
10.East Bay Township	$52.2K 202 listings	13.8% 202 listings
11.Ludington and Pere Marquette	$40.3K 48 listings	13.6% 48 listings
12.Fife Lake and South Boardman Country	$39.5K 55 listings	13.6% 55 listings
13.Lake City and Missaukee Country	$29.2K 21 listings	13.6% 21 listings
14.Manistee and Surrounding Townships	$37.4K 103 listings	13.5% 103 listings
15.Northern and Eastern Lake County	$31.1K 29 listings	13.3% 29 listings
16.East and Northeast Traverse City	$41.0K 163 listings	13.1% 163 listings
17.Elmwood and Greilickville	$67.7K 41 listings	13.0% 41 listings
18.Cadillac and Mitchell Lakes Country	$34.8K 47 listings	13.0% 47 listings
19.Downtown, Commons and Bayfront	$44.9K 220 listings	12.6% 220 listings
20.Houghton Lake Region	$25.3K 94 listings	12.5% 94 listings
21.Higgins Lake Region	$28.7K 37 listings	12.4% 37 listings
22.Thompsonville and Crystal Mountain Country	$41.6K 34 listings	12.3% 34 listings
23.Cleveland and Centerville Country	$66.4K 28 listings	11.8% 28 listings
24.Long Lake Township	$63.9K 70 listings	11.7% 70 listings
25.Northwest Traverse City	$48.0K 76 listings	11.6% 76 listings
26.Suttons Bay and Bingham	$85.4K 47 listings	11.5% 47 listings
27.Acme and Whitewater	$45.7K 73 listings	11.5% 73 listings
28.Garfield and Blair	$47.7K 63 listings	11.1% 63 listings
29.Glen Arbor and Sleeping Bear	$63.5K 22 listings	10.6% 22 listings
30.Northern Crystal Lake and Platte Lakes	$51.6K 27 listings	10.5% 27 listings
31.Beulah and Benzonia	$47.8K 35 listings	10.4% 35 listings
32.Frankfort and Elberta Country	$36.5K 30 listings	6.5% 30 listings
33.Northport and Northern Leelanau	$63.1K 21 listings	6.1% 21 listings