Key insights:

• A new study found that Austin, Texas has the most Airbnb-ready homes, with the highest number of Airbnb listings per 1,000 visitors at 49.37.
• Portland, Oregon, has the highest percentage of apartment listings on Airbnb at 77%.
• Nashville, Tennessee, has the highest number of visitors (267,000) but a relatively lower Airbnb saturation, with 48% of its apartment listings on Airbnb. 

The Perfect Rug analyzed 50 US cities to find out which ten have the most Airbnb-ready homes. The analysis includes key variables: city, state, 2023 visitation, the total number of apartment listings, the percentage of those listings available on Airbnb, and the total number of Airbnb listings. The data was compiled into a structured dataset, ensuring accuracy and consistency, and cities were ranked in descending order based on their Airbnb rentals per 1,000 visitors.

Austin, Texas, leads the list with 49.37 Airbnb rentals for every 1K visitors, the highest number of Airbnb listings in the list, making it the most Airbnb-friendly city. With 61% of its 19,830 apartment listings available on Airbnb, Austin is an undeniable hotspot for travelers looking for short-term stays. Beyond its thriving tourism sector, the city also offers a wide array of unique rental experiences, further enhancing its Airbnb appeal.

San Antonio, Texas, takes the second spot with 59% of its 10,870 apartment listings available on Airbnb. The city’s impressive Airbnb presence highlights its appeal as a destination for travelers looking for short-term rental options, making it a competitive market in Texas right behind Austin.

Portland, Oregon, ranks third with the highest percentage of apartment listings on Airbnb, at 77%. Beyond its impressive Airbnb saturation, Portland also offers a creative, laid-back vibe that’s hard to find anywhere else. Despite having fewer visitors compared to other cities, Portland’s good Airbnb market makes it a go-to destination with a strong short-term rental culture.

Charlotte, North Carolina, takes fourth place, with 62% of its apartment listings on Airbnb. While Charlotte has fewer visitors than cities like Phoenix and Nashville, its Airbnb saturation rate is higher. The city’s expanding tourism sector is well supported by a healthy number of short-term rental options, making it a popular spot for travelers seeking Airbnb stays.

Nashville, Tennessee, ranks fifth despite having one of the highest numbers of visitors among the cities studied, at 267,000. The city has the lowest percentage of Airbnb listings among the top cities at only 48%, suggesting Nashville has significant room to expand its Airbnb market. 

Cleveland, Ohio, comes in sixth, with 68% of its apartment listings available on Airbnb. Though it has fewer visitors than larger cities like Denver or Phoenix, Cleveland’s Airbnb saturation rate is higher than both. Cleveland also has more Airbnb listings (22.30) than Salt Lake City. This shows a stronger short-term rental presence relative to its visitor base.

Salt Lake City, Utah, takes seventh place, with 60% of its apartment listings on Airbnb. The city’s 21.33 Airbnb listings is slightly below Cleveland’s 22.30 but still demonstrates Salt Lake City’s solid position in the short-term rental market. Compared to Phoenix, which has 20.71 listings, Salt Lake City offers a similar level of Airbnb readiness despite attracting fewer visitors.

Phoenix, Arizona, ranks eighth. With 20.71 Airbnb rentals per 1000 visitors, Phoenix is gradually growing its short-term rental market but still has room for further expansion in its Airbnb presence.

Denver, Colorado, comes in ninth. While Denver offers fewer Airbnb listings (19.95) than cities like Austin or San Antonio, it has a similar Airbnb saturation rate to Portland, making it a competitive market in the Airbnb space.

New Orleans, Louisiana, rounds out the top ten, with 51% of its apartment listings on Airbnb. Despite attracting more visitors (averaging 271,000) than cities like Portland or Cleveland, New Orleans has fewer Airbnb listings.

A spokesperson from The Perfect Rug commented on the study: “When analyzing cities for Airbnb readiness, it’s important to focus on both the percentage of listings available and how that translates to meeting visitor demand. Cities with a higher number of Airbnb listings per visitor tend to offer more diverse accommodation options, which can enhance the travel experience. If you’re looking to maximize your rental opportunities or find great spots for short-term stays, consider places that maintain a balance between visitor influx and the availability of listings. This can also indicate how well a city caters to tourists, making it easier to find the perfect place to stay.”