Rising real estate prices and stricter short-term rental rules in local markets are pushing many investors to look abroad for profitable opportunities. In many countries, it’s still possible to buy real estate under $100k and enter less competitive Airbnb markets.

This article covers the cheapest countries to buy an Airbnb property in 2025, highlighting where investors can find affordable real estate abroad, growing tourism demand, and realistic options to start a vacation rental business on a budget.

Key Takeaways:

• Airbnb investing in the cheapest places to buy a house in the world provides major advantages.
• Albania, Armenia, Ecuador, and Jordan offer some of the top opportunities to start Airbnb on a low budget.
• The Airbtics Global Airbnb Investment Dataset empowers data-backed investing in the top markets abroad, for any budget and ROI expectations.

Cheapest Places to Buy a Vacation Home in the World in 2025: To Rent Out on Airbnb

Using Airbtics’ proprietary short-term rental data and additional reliable sources, we’ve ranked the top countries with low property prices and high tourism trends in 2025:

Best Countries to Buy a Short-Term Rental on a Budget in Europe

The best Airbnb markets in Europe in 2025 where you can buy real estate under $100k are:

Data Sources: Airbtics, The World Bank, Government Websites & More

Albania

Albania has seen a surge in tourism driven by its Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, historic towns, and low travel costs. Cities like Tirana, Durres, and Sarandë offer strong short-term rental demand at relatively low entry prices.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina attracts visitors with its historic cities, cultural heritage, and nature tourism. Sarajevo and Mostar remain affordable while benefiting from steady European tourism flows.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia offers growing tourism around Skopje and Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Low property prices and modest competition support entry-level Airbnb investments.

Romania

Romania combines urban tourism, medieval towns, and growing digital nomad interest. While major cities are pricier, secondary cities still offer opportunities with consistent year-round demand.

Ukraine

Historically, Ukraine has offered strong urban tourism and business travel at very low property prices. Investors typically view it as a high-risk, long-term recovery play rather than a short-term opportunity.

Best Airbnb Markets Under $100k in Asia

The best Airbnb markets in Asia in 2025 with affordable real estate abroad include:

Data Sources: Airbtics, The World Bank, Government Websites & More

Armenia

Armenia benefits from growing cultural tourism, diaspora travel, and increasing interest in Yerevan as a city-break destination. Affordable property prices and limited Airbnb saturation make it attractive for budget-conscious investors.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a well-established tourism destination, anchored by Angkor Wat and growing urban tourism in Phnom Penh. Strong visitor volumes and low entry prices support short-term rental demand.

India

India’s Airbnb demand is driven by domestic tourism, business travel, and long stays in major cities and tourist regions. Entry-level opportunities exist mainly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan benefits from business travel and emerging tourism in cities like Almaty and Astana. Airbnb demand is driven more by short stays and corporate travel than leisure tourism.

Pakistan

Pakistan’s Airbnb market is small but growing, driven by domestic tourism and diaspora travel. Low property prices create long-term optionality for early investors.

Philippines

The Philippines benefits from strong beach tourism, island travel, and steady international arrivals. Provincial cities and secondary destinations offer more affordable Airbnb entry points than Manila.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka attracts beach, cultural, and eco-tourism, with steady short-term rental demand in coastal areas and Colombo. Property prices remain accessible relative to regional tourism potential.

Cheapest Countries to Buy a Vacation Home in Latin America & the Caribbean

The best Airbnb markets in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2025 that offer some of the most affordable real estate in the world are:

Data Sources: Airbtics, The World Bank, Government Websites & More

Aruba

Aruba has strong, consistent tourism demand driven by beach resorts and year-round international travel. High property prices limit affordability, but occupancy and ADRs are among the strongest in the Caribbean.

Barbados

Barbados attracts long-stay tourists, digital nomads, and luxury travelers. Airbnb demand is stable, though slightly higher acquisition costs make it more suitable for stronger-capital investors.

Bolivia

Bolivia attracts budget travelers, eco-tourism, and cultural tourism, particularly around La Paz and Uyuni. Very affordable property prices create low entry barriers, though demand is more seasonal.

Ecuador

Ecuador offers diverse tourism, from colonial cities like Cuenca to coastal and nature destinations. Strong expat presence and long-stay travelers support short-term rental demand.

El Salvador

El Salvador is emerging as a surf and beach tourism destination with growing international visibility. Airbnb demand is still developing, offering early-stage opportunities.

Guatemala

Guatemala benefits from cultural and nature tourism, especially around Antigua and Lake Atitlán. Short-term rentals perform best in established tourist hubs.

Honduras

Honduras sees steady Airbnb demand in destinations like Roatán and Utila. Tourism-driven demand supports short-term rentals, though location selection is critical.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua attracts surfers, eco-tourists, and long-stay visitors. Low prices and limited competition appeal to investors comfortable with higher regulatory and political risk.

Paraguay

Paraguay’s Airbnb demand is modest and concentrated in Asunción, driven by business and regional travel. Low property prices and stable demand support long-term yield-focused strategies.

US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands benefit from strong US-based tourism and familiarity with American travelers. While property prices and insurance costs are somewhat higher than in other Latin American and Caribbean destinations, real estate investments are still more affordable than in the US.

Venezuela

Venezuela offers extremely low property prices, but Airbnb demand is limited and inconsistent. It is generally considered a speculative, high-risk market.

Most Affordable Airbnb Markets in the Middle East & Africa

The best Airbnb markets in the Middle East and Africa in 2025 with the cheapest options to buy a second home include:

Data Sources: Airbtics, The World Bank, Government Websites & More

Algeria

Tourism in Algeria is limited but gradually developing, mainly focused on cultural and domestic travel. Airbnb opportunities remain niche and long-term.

Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire’s Airbnb demand is driven primarily by business travel in Abidjan. Short-term rentals serve corporate and regional travelers more than leisure tourists.

Ghana

Ghana attracts diaspora travel, business visitors, and cultural tourism, especially in Accra. Airbnb demand is stable, though property prices are rising quickly.

Jordan

Jordan benefits from strong tourism tied to Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. Short-term rentals in Amman and tourist hubs see consistent demand.

Kenya

Kenya combines safari tourism, business travel, and coastal destinations. Nairobi and coastal cities offer year-round Airbnb demand.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s Airbnb market is driven largely by business travel and diaspora visits, especially in Lagos. Demand exists, but market entry requires careful location selection.

Senegal

Senegal attracts leisure and business travelers, with Dakar as the primary Airbnb market. Demand is steady, but entry prices are higher than in some neighboring countries.

Tanzania

Tanzania benefits from safari tourism and Zanzibar’s beach market. Short-term rentals perform best in established tourist zones.

Tunisia

Tunisia attracts European beach tourism and cultural travelers. Affordable property prices and consistent seasonal demand support Airbnb investments.

Why Should You Consider Buying an Airbnb Property Abroad?

Investing in a vacation rental home abroad brings many important benefits:

• Lower property prices and easier entry: Many international markets still offer real estate under $100k, making it possible to enter the short-term rental space with far less capital than in most US cities.
• Opportunity to own a second home: An overseas Airbnb can double as a personal vacation home, giving you lifestyle value while still generating income when you’re not using the property.
• Fewer short-term rental restrictions in some markets: Compared to heavily regulated US cities, many countries have simpler or less restrictive STR rules, making it easier to operate legally and at scale.
• Higher return potential relative to purchase price: Even with lower nightly rates, the lower acquisition costs in many countries can translate into strong cash on cash return.
• Access to residency or long-stay options: Some countries offer residency or long-term stay benefits tied to property ownership or investment, adding an extra non-financial incentive for foreign investors.
• Exposure to high-tourism, lower-cost destinations: Many affordable markets also benefit from strong tourism demand, especially in emerging destinations with growing international travel.
• Portfolio diversification across markets and currencies: Investing abroad helps diversify geographic risk, regulatory exposure, and currency risk, reducing reliance on a single domestic market.
• Less competition in underdeveloped Airbnb markets: In newer or less saturated destinations, investors may face less competition than in mature US Airbnb markets, especially at lower price points.

For all these reasons, many foreign investors find it profitable and smart to purchase in one of the best countries to start Airbnb under $100k.

How We Selected the Best Places to Start Airbnb with Low Budget in 2025: Methodology

In our ranking of the best short-term rental markets abroad, we focused on the following criteria:

• Cheapest countries to buy a property: We selected international markets with average prices for an entry-level property (1-2 bedroom, non luxury) under or around $100k.
• Established, non oversaturated vacation rental markets: We chose countries where the Airbnb market is well-functioning and still growing.
• Strong Airbnb performance: We focused on countries with good Airbnb occupancy rate and average daily rate (ADR), leading to excellent STR revenue.
• Reasonable STR regulations: While cities within these markets face various Airbnb rules and regulations, they are generally conducive to short-term rental investments.

Combining these factors, we’re offering you the best places to invest in Airbnb on a budget.

How to Find the Best Countries to Start Airbnb Under $100k

The Airbtics Global Airbnb Investment Dataset provides you with instant access to all the must-have data points and analytics for the 100 best Airbnb markets in the world in 2025. With this comprehensive STR dataset, you can search for the top Airbnb locations within the cheapest countries to buy a property in 2025.

For each country, you get following Airbnb analytics for data-driven investment decisions:

• Number of active Airbnb listings
• Number of markets with 500+ active Airbnb listings
• Average Airbnb revenue
• Average Airbnb occupancy rate
• Airbnb average daily rate (ADR)
• Property price levels
• Foreign land ownership rules
• Real estate investment residence program
• Average temperature
• Population growth
• GPR growth

You can see below how the data looks for each country: