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Best Airbnb Markets in Texas (2026)

Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in Texas 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 Texas.

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:

  1. Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
  2. Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
  3. 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.
  4. Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
  5. 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.
Learn more about how we collect the data and accuracy

Last updated: February, 2026

Texas Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)

National averages across all Texas markets
Average Occupancy Rate i
52.45%
Average Annual Revenue i
$38,556
Average Daily Rate (ADR) i
$197
YoY Supply Growth i
21.44%
YoY Revenue Change i
23.92%

Top 20 Texas 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
1DAustin
Lenient
9,16760%$181$40,95912.3%34.5%
2D+Houston
Lenient
8,81557%$150$32,20712.3%34.5%
3BGalveston
Strict
5,97247%$251$44,70912.3%34.5%
4CSan antonio
Strict
4,39858%$163$36,04712.3%34.5%
5D+Dallas
Lenient
4,38061%$154$35,58812.3%34.5%
6C+Port aransas
Lenient
2,52152%$318$62,38612.3%34.5%
7BSouth padre island
Lenient
2,51953%$262$51,92612.3%34.5%
8B+Corpus christi
Lenient
2,15055%$191$39,86712.3%34.5%
9ABrownsville-harlingen
Lenient
2,01852%$196$38,22712.3%34.5%
10D+Fort worth
Lenient
1,66061%$155$35,71112.3%34.5%
11BRockport
Lenient
1,26845%$218$37,29212.3%34.5%
12CMcallen-edinburg-mission
Lenient
1,26451%$113$21,88012.3%34.5%
13D+Fredericksburg
Lenient
1,12148%$256$47,10112.3%34.5%
14D+Canyon lake
Lenient
1,05940%$239$36,69412.3%34.5%
15D+Killeen-temple
Lenient
1,03355%$136$28,40212.3%34.5%
16B+Lubbock
Lenient
91453%$160$32,21212.3%34.5%
17C+Mclennan
Lenient
90652%$180$35,51412.3%34.5%
18C+Bell
Lenient
87556%$138$29,30712.3%34.5%
19BBrazoria
Lenient
87146%$264$45,87612.3%34.5%
20BRockport
Lenient
52747%$220$39,22612.3%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 Texas. 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 Texas's STR market?

Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for Texas, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.

View 2025 Market Report

Why Invest in Airbnb Texas in 2026?

In recent years, Texas 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 Port aransas, South padre island and Fredericksburg. With millions of international visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb Texas a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.

Due to strong demand from travelers, Texas 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, Texas has a profitable location to meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.

Market Saturation Analysis: Texas

Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to Texas's national averages (Supply: +21.4%, Revenue: +23.9%). 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

  • Brownsville-harlingen Supply: +22.8% | Revenue: +34.9%
  • Lubbock Supply: +31.2% | Revenue: +30.8%
🟡

Early Saturation

Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising

  • Dallas Supply: +37.3% | Revenue: +13.5%
  • Houston Supply: +33.2% | Revenue: +11.9%
  • San antonio Supply: +29.5% | Revenue: +18.8%
  • Mcallen-edinburg-mission Supply: +29.4% | Revenue: +9.1%
  • Fort worth Supply: +28.9% | Revenue: +10.7%
🔵

Under-the-Radar

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities

  • Corpus christi Supply: +18.1% | Revenue: +44.1%
  • Port aransas Supply: +17.6% | Revenue: +44.0%
  • South padre island Supply: +14.7% | Revenue: +42.7%
  • Rockport Supply: +20.9% | Revenue: +38.5%
  • Galveston Supply: +16.4% | Revenue: +38.5%
  • Rockport Supply: +16.6% | Revenue: +31.4%
  • Brazoria Supply: +21.3% | Revenue: +26.0%
🔴

Declining

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets

  • Austin Supply: +21.1% | Revenue: +11.0%
  • Killeen-temple Supply: +18.2% | Revenue: +12.4%
  • Mclennan Supply: +15.8% | Revenue: +12.6%
  • Bell Supply: +18.9% | Revenue: +13.0%
  • Fredericksburg Supply: +6.9% | Revenue: +16.4%
  • Canyon lake Supply: +9.8% | Revenue: +18.0%

Best Cities for Airbnb in Texas 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.

  1. Brownsville-harlingen
    • Property price: $150,000
    • STR revenue: $38,227/year
    • Yield: 24.4%
  2. Lubbock
    • Property price: $150,000
    • STR revenue: $32,212/year
    • Yield: 20.3%
  3. Bell
    • Property price: $150,000
    • STR revenue: $29,307/year
    • Yield: 16.4%

Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in Texas

  1. Corpus christi
    • STR revenue: $39,867/year
    • Rent gap: $3,359
  2. Brownsville-harlingen
    • STR revenue: $38,227/year
    • Rent gap: $3,221
  3. Rockport
    • STR revenue: $39,226/year
    • Rent gap: $3,115



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