Best Airbnb Markets in North Carolina (2026)
Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
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
North Carolina Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)
Top 14 North Carolina 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+ | Charlotte | Lenient | 3,143 | 59% | $165 | $36,933 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 2 | B+ | Morehead city | Lenient | 1,906 | 53% | $260 | $51,497 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 3 | D | Raleigh | Lenient | 1,537 | 61% | $160 | $37,274 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 4 | B | Oak island | Lenient | 1,431 | 59% | $338 | $73,988 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 5 | B | Carolina beach | Lenient | 1,373 | 62% | $270 | $62,541 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 6 | C | Winston-salem | Lenient | 1,177 | 54% | $152 | $30,949 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 7 | B | Wilmington | Lenient | 1,143 | 59% | $183 | $40,904 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 8 | A | Jacksonville | Lenient | 1,131 | 58% | $266 | $57,662 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 9 | B+ | Kill devil hills | Lenient | 1,108 | 61% | $272 | $61,611 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 10 | D | Asheville | Lenient | 1,097 | 57% | $151 | $32,391 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 11 | C+ | Durham | Lenient | 1,091 | 64% | $144 | $34,738 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 12 | B | North topsail beach | Lenient | 955 | 57% | $323 | $68,768 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 13 | C | Brevard | Lenient | 797 | 57% | $208 | $44,869 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 14 | C | Forest city | Lenient | 719 | 44% | $231 | $38,584 | 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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina's STR market?
Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for North Carolina, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.
View 2025 Market ReportWhy Invest in Airbnb North Carolina in 2026?
In recent years, North Carolina 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 Oak island, North topsail beach and Carolina beach. With millions of international
visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb
North Carolina a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.
Due to strong demand from travelers, North Carolina 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, North Carolina has a profitable location to
meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.
Market Saturation Analysis: North Carolina
Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to North Carolina's national averages (Supply: +18.1%, Revenue: +26.0%). 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
- North topsail beach Supply: +21.4% | Revenue: +40.3%
- Carolina beach Supply: +18.2% | Revenue: +39.2%
- Wilmington Supply: +18.6% | Revenue: +34.8%
- Oak island Supply: +26.4% | Revenue: +32.3%
Early Saturation
Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising
- Charlotte Supply: +29.0% | Revenue: +19.4%
- Durham Supply: +28.1% | Revenue: +22.6%
- Raleigh Supply: +26.2% | Revenue: +15.4%
- Winston-salem Supply: +19.1% | Revenue: +12.5%
Under-the-Radar
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities
- Kill devil hills Supply: +17.9% | Revenue: +48.6%
- Jacksonville Supply: +16.4% | Revenue: +43.2%
- Morehead city Supply: +16.4% | Revenue: +34.1%
Declining
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets
- Forest city Supply: +1.4% | Revenue: -6.5%
- Asheville Supply: +6.5% | Revenue: +6.9%
- Brevard Supply: +6.9% | Revenue: +20.7%
Best Cities for Airbnb in North Carolina by Budget
Top 3 Affordable & Mid-Range Airbnb Markets: $500,000 & Below
These markets offer accessible investment opportunities with lower to moderate property prices, suitable for investors seeking entry-level or mid-range options.
-
Forest city
- Property price: $150,000
- STR revenue: $38,584/year
- Yield: 22.3%
-
Jacksonville
- Property price: $180,000
- STR revenue: $57,662/year
- Yield: 20.9%
-
Winston-salem
- Property price: $210,000
- STR revenue: $30,949/year
- Yield: 15.8%
Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in North Carolina
-
North topsail beach
- STR revenue: $68,768/year
- Rent gap: $3,564
-
Kill devil hills
- STR revenue: $61,611/year
- Rent gap: $3,439
-
Forest city
- STR revenue: $38,584/year
- Rent gap: $3,420
- For short-term rental market analysis, visit our Airbnb Analytics app.
Estimate Your Airbnb Income in North Carolina
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Use our Airbnb calculator to quickly and accurately estimate the earning and profitability potential of any city, neighborhood, and area.
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