The Short Answer
There is no honest single number. Some hosts lose money, some earn a modest side income, and some run profitable portfolios. Income depends on the market, the property, how it is priced and managed, and how much the host keeps after expenses. Be skeptical of any average that does not say whether it is gross revenue or net profit.
Revenue Is Not Profit
Gross revenue is what guests pay. Profit is what remains after platform fees, cleaning, supplies, utilities, insurance, taxes, maintenance, furniture replacement, management fees, and debt service if you financed the property. Many published income figures are gross, which can make a rental look far better than its actual cash flow.
What Drives Results
- Market demand: Tourist destinations with steady visitor traffic support higher occupancy than markets that depend on one season or one event.
- Supply: More competing listings in the same area push rates and occupancy down.
- Property type and size: Bedroom count, views, amenities, and layout affect the nightly rate guests will pay.
- Pricing: Rates that ignore seasons, events, and lead time leave money on the table or leave nights empty.
- Listing quality: Photos, description, and review history affect how often guests book.
- Regulation: Permit rules, night caps, and taxes can change the math or block short-term rental entirely.
- Costs: Purchase price, financing, and operating expenses determine how much revenue turns into profit.
What to Check Before You Trust a Number
- Is the figure gross revenue or net income after all expenses?
- Does it cover a full year, including slow months, or only peak season?
- Is it for a comparable property in your exact submarket?
- Does it include the host's own time, or assume free labor?
- Are the properties shown survivors, or is the sample representative?
How to Estimate Your Own Numbers
Pull actual booking data for comparable listings, model a conservative occupancy and rate, subtract every category of expense, and stress test the result with lower occupancy. Our guide on cash-on-cash return shows how to turn that into a return on your invested capital. Company-reported client data is available on the results page, and because this site is owned by BnB Accelerator, treat it as first-party material. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.