How much does an average Houston short-term rental earn?

AirDNA's Houston market averaged a $164.20 daily rate at 56% occupancy over the last 12 months, with annual revenue of about $27,700 for an average listing.

Do I need to register a Houston short-term rental?

Yes. Since January 1, 2026, every rental under 30 consecutive days needs a City of Houston certificate of registration, which costs $275 a year per property.

What else does Houston require?

A 24-hour emergency contact number shown to guests and proof of human trafficking awareness training. Advertising the property as an event space is not allowed.

What happens if I operate without registering?

Fines of $100 to $500 a day, and platforms must remove non-compliant listings within 10 days of the city's notice.

Rental Arbitrage in Houston, TX

Researched by RentalArbitrage AdminData as of: September 2026

Not yet researched

We have not published a sourced legal page for this city yet. Check the city's official short-term rental rules and your lease before relying on the numbers below.

Average daily rate: $164.20
Occupancy: 56%
Annual revenue potential: $27,700

Source: AirDNA Figures for the Houston market, trailing 12 months, as of September 2026. Markets are metro areas, not city limits.

How Much Rent Can a Unit Here Carry?

Most rent that breaks even: $2,274
Rent that leaves a 20% margin: $1,618

At the market's average rate and occupancy, a unit books about 17.0 nights and $3,278 a month. The ceiling assumes 3-night stays, an $85 cleaning fee against a $75 clean, a 3% platform fee and $480 a month for bills, insurance, supplies and software. Market averages include every listing size, so a one-bedroom usually earns less. Treat these as upper limits for a lease negotiation, not targets.

Run the Numbers for Houston, TX

Pre-filled with the market's rate and occupancy, and a rent at the 20% margin ceiling. Replace the rent with the real asking rent of the unit you're considering.

Loading the tool…

The Houston, TX Market

Houston averaged a $164.20 daily rate at 56% occupancy over the last 12 months, about 17 booked nights and $3,280 of booking income a month. That is the lowest rate of the three large Texas markets on this site.
Since January 2026, every rental under 30 consecutive days needs a $275 annual certificate of registration, a 24-hour emergency contact and proof of human trafficking awareness training. The rules are about registration and conduct rather than zoning bans, so the constraint in Houston is mostly the numbers.

What a Unit Can Earn

At market averages, a unit breaks even at about $2,270 in rent and keeps a 20% margin at about $1,620. With a lower average rate, keeping rent down matters more here than in Austin or Dallas.

Startup Costs

At a $1,600 rent, expect roughly $11,600 before the first booking: a one-month deposit, the first month's rent, about $7,500 of furnishing and $900 of setup. Add a cushion of a few months of costs. Work it out properly with the startup cost calculator.

Risks to Weigh

A lower average daily rate leaves less room for rent
Fines of $100 to $500 a day for operating without registration
Platforms must remove non-compliant listings within 10 days of the city's notice

Frequently Asked Questions

What Rent Can a Houston Unit Carry?: At market averages, a unit breaks even at about $2,270 in rent and keeps a 20% margin at about $1,620.
How Much Does an Average Houston Short-Term Rental Earn?: AirDNA's Houston market averaged a $164.20 daily rate at 56% occupancy over the last 12 months, with annual revenue of about $27,700 for an average listing.
Do I Need to Register a Houston Short-Term Rental?: Yes. Since January 1, 2026, every rental under 30 consecutive days needs a City of Houston certificate of registration, which costs $275 a year per property.
What Else Does Houston Require?: A 24-hour emergency contact number shown to guests and proof of human trafficking awareness training. Advertising the property as an event space is not allowed.
What Happens If I Operate Without Registering?: Fines of $100 to $500 a day, and platforms must remove non-compliant listings within 10 days of the city's notice.