Best Airbnb Markets in Illinois (2026)
Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in Illinois with
key
statistics and information, like short-term rental regulations, number of listings, occupancy rate,
average daily rate, and annual revenue. This allows you to discover the most profitable cities to
invest in, buy, and own Airbnb rental properties in Illinois.
The Airbtics Market Score indicates how attractive a location is for investing in an Airbnb rental property. We determine this score based on the following criteria:
- Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
- Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
- Market size: The number of Airbnb listings. Larger vacation rental markets get a higher score as it is easier for investors to buy and sell properties.
- Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
- Seasonality: To what degree Airbnb performance is affected by seasonality. Less seasonal impact is preferred as investors can enjoy a more stable short-term rental performance throughout the year.
Last updated: February, 2026
Illinois Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)
Top 3 Illinois Cities for Airbnb in 2026
| Position | Market Grade | Market Name | Regulation | No of Listings | Avg. Occupancy Rate | Avg. Daily Rate | Revenue | Short-term Rental Yield | Rent Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D+ | Chicago | Strict | 6,428 | 66% | $163 | $40,467 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 2 | D+ | Madison | Lenient | 792 | 61% | $182 | $41,522 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 3 | B+ | Whitewater | Lenient | 786 | 52% | $327 | $63,875 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
Find the Best Airbnb Markets with Our Interactive Tool
Use our interactive Market Explorer to find the best places to start an Airbnb in Illinois. Compare multiple markets side by side, apply filters like regulations, budget (property or rent prices), and market size, and even export the results to Excel.
Explore Interactive Tool📊 Want a deeper dive into Illinois's STR market?
Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for Illinois, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.
View 2025 Market ReportWhy Invest in Airbnb Illinois in 2026?
In recent years, Illinois has emerged as one of the best locations for investing in
short-term rentals thanks to its popular tourist attractions, thriving business activities, growing
digital nomad presence, and vibrant cities like Whitewater, Madison and Chicago. With millions of international
visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb
Illinois a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.
Due to strong demand from travelers, Illinois offers competitive average daily rates
(ADR), healthy occupancy rates, and attractive revenue potential in the best Airbnb markets. Whether
you're looking to start your first Airbnb business with a modest budget or to add a luxury
short-term rental property to your portfolio, Illinois has a profitable location to
meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.
Market Saturation Analysis: Illinois
Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to Illinois's national averages (Supply: +18.9%, Revenue: +13.5%). Markets above the national average are marked with ↑, while those below are marked with ↓.
Healthy Growth
Supply > avg, Revenue > avg
Expansion with demand keeping up
- No markets in this category
Early Saturation
Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising
- Chicago Supply: +27.2% | Revenue: +10.2%
Under-the-Radar
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities
- Whitewater Supply: +13.1% | Revenue: +22.0%
Declining
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets
- Madison Supply: +16.5% | Revenue: +8.4%
Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in Illinois
-
Whitewater
- STR revenue: $63,875/year
- Rent gap: $5,648
-
Madison
- STR revenue: $41,522/year
- Rent gap: $3,006
-
Chicago
- STR revenue: $40,467/year
- Rent gap: $1,992
- For short-term rental market analysis, visit our Airbnb Analytics app.
Estimate Your Airbnb Income in Illinois
Ready to start looking for the most profitable short-term rental investment opportunities in Illinois?
Use our Airbnb calculator to quickly and accurately estimate the earning and profitability potential of any city, neighborhood, and area.
Try Our Airbnb Calculator