Smart Analyzer Engine

STR vs LTR ROI Analyzer

Analyze your total capital investment, play with the live sliders, and let our Smart Engine tell you exactly if this property is a winning Airbnb investment.

Initial Investment

$

Live Market Sensitivity

$150
20 / 31

LTR Details

STR Expenses

Investment Projection

Smart Verdict: Moderate Risk

Moderate potential. Requires active management and strong high-season performance.

LTR Profit/mo$1700
STR ROI/yr132.0%
STR Payback9.1 mo

Crucial Break-Even Target

21 Nights/mo

You need exactly 21 booked nights per month on Airbnb to match your predictable LTR profit.

The Ultimate Airbnb vs. Long-Term Rental ROI Calculator (STR vs LTR)

One of the biggest dilemmas real estate investors face is deciding between the traditional long-term leasing route and the lucrative vacation rental market. Our Airbnb vs Long Term Rental Calculator is designed to remove the guesswork entirely. By comparing your predictable monthly rent against your projected short-term rental (STR) income, you can instantly find your exact STR vs LTR break-even point and confidently project your annual return on investment (ROI).

Why Using an STR vs LTR Calculator is Critical

Short-term rentals (listed on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com) generally yield a significantly higher gross income. However, they introduce a complex layer of variable expenses—such as utilities, Wi-Fi, and restocking supplies—that long-term tenants usually pay themselves.

To truly answer the question, "Is Airbnb more profitable than long-term renting?", you must calculate how many booked nights you need each month just to match the guaranteed profit of a standard 12-month lease. Relying on raw gross revenue numbers without factoring in OTA fees and fixed costs is the number one reason new vacation rental hosts fail.

How to Use the Rentcalo ROI Analyzer

  1. Enter Initial Investment: Input the upfront capital required to furnish and prepare the property for guests. (Leave at $0 if you are already furnished).
  2. Set Your LTR Baseline: Input what you could realistically charge a long-term tenant per month, minus your standard landlord expenses (taxes, standard insurance, HOA).
  3. Estimate STR Variables: Use the live sliders to adjust your expected Average Nightly Rate and Booked Nights per month.
  4. Input Operating Costs: Add your fixed monthly STR costs (like internet and premium TV) and your variable per-night costs (like cleaning supplies and electricity). Don't forget the OTA Commission!
  5. Read the Smart Verdict: Our engine will instantly tell you if the property is a "Strong Buy," "High Risk," or if you are actually losing money on every booking.

Pro Tip for Rental Arbitrage: If you don't own the property but are subleasing it to list on Airbnb, this model changes. We recommend using our specialized Airbnb Arbitrage Calculator to ensure your master lease terms allow for a profitable margin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb always more profitable than long-term renting?

Not always. While gross revenue is typically 2x to 3x higher, your net profit heavily depends on your local market's seasonality, cleaning fees, and OTA commissions. A highly profitable LTR in a low-tourist area will often beat an STR that sits empty 20 days a month.

What is a "good" STR vs LTR break-even point?

A strong short-term rental investment typically requires fewer than 10 to 14 booked nights per month to break even against long-term rental income. If our calculator reveals you need 20+ nights just to match your LTR profit, the investment carries extreme risk.

How do I accurately calculate my OTA fees?

OTA fees vary wildly. Airbnb generally charges a 3% split-fee or a 15.5% host-only fee, while Booking.com typically charges around 15%. To get hyper-accurate numbers for this input, use our dedicated Airbnb Host Fee & Net Payout Calculator to determine your exact platform deductions.