About the Airbnb Calculator
This Airbnb calculator estimates what a short-term rental can earn in a year and what is left after the costs that come with it. Enter the average nightly rate, expected occupancy, typical length of stay, the cleaning fee you charge guests and what each clean costs you, platform and co-host fees, fixed monthly bills and the mortgage. The calculator projects booked nights, turnovers, gross revenue, net operating income and cash flow.
It also shows your break-even occupancy — the share of nights you must book just to cover every cost — and a chart of annual cash flow at different occupancy levels. That is the quickest way to see how much margin of safety a listing has if bookings are slower than hoped. Owners, would-be hosts and investors comparing a short-term with a long-term rental can all use it.
Results are annual averages based on 365 nights; they do not model seasonality, local occupancy taxes collected on guests’ behalf, furnishing costs or income tax. Check local short-term rental rules and permit requirements before buying for this use.
With the default inputs, the average monthly cash flow is $1,224.13. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the airbnb calculator
- 1Enter the average nightly rate and expected occupancy from comparable listings.
- 2Enter the typical stay length, the cleaning fee you charge and what each clean costs you.
- 3Set the platform fee and any co-host or management percentage.
- 4Add fixed monthly expenses and your mortgage payment.
- 5Review cash flow and break-even occupancy, then use the chart to test slower seasons.
Formula and method
Booked nights are 365 multiplied by the occupancy rate, and the number of guest stays (turnovers) is booked nights divided by the average stay length. Gross revenue is the nightly revenue plus the cleaning fees guests pay. Platform and management fees are charged as a percentage of that gross, and each turnover costs you one clean.
Subtracting fixed monthly expenses gives net operating income, and subtracting the mortgage gives cash flow. Because every term scales with occupancy except fixed costs and the mortgage, break-even occupancy is the fixed costs divided by the profit each 1% of occupancy earns. Revenue per available night (RevPAN) is gross revenue divided by 365.
- o
- Occupancy rate (0–1)
- L
- Average length of stay in nights
- ADR
- Average daily (nightly) rate
- RevPAN
- Revenue per available night = Gross ÷ 365
Worked examples
$175/night at 70% occupancy
At 70% occupancy you book 255.5 nights a year across about 85 stays. Nightly revenue of $44,712.50 plus $7,665 of cleaning fees gives $52,377.50 gross. After the 3% fee, $8,517 of cleaning and $9,600 of fixed costs, NOI is about $32,690; subtracting $18,000 of mortgage leaves roughly $1,224 a month. You break even at about 45.7% occupancy.
Managed cabin with a 20% co-host
At 60% occupancy the cabin books 219 nights over 87.6 stays, earning $52,560 in rent plus $10,512 in cleaning fees. The 3% platform fee and 20% co-host fee take $14,507, cleaning costs $11,388 and fixed bills $13,200, leaving NOI of about $23,977 — roughly $2,423 a year short of the $26,400 mortgage.
Paid-off condo, no cleaning fee
With 273.75 nights booked, revenue is $32,850. A 15% host-only fee takes $4,927.50 and about 68 cleans cost $5,475; after $7,200 of fixed costs and no mortgage, the condo clears about $15,248 a year and breaks even at roughly 24% occupancy.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I make on Airbnb?+
Income depends on nightly rate × booked nights, minus fees and running costs. A listing at $175 a night booked 70% of the year grosses roughly $45,000 before cleaning fees; after platform fees, cleaning, utilities and a mortgage, net cash flow is often a fraction of that.
What occupancy rate is realistic for an Airbnb?+
It varies widely by market and season. Many established listings in steady markets run somewhere around 50%–70% over a year, while new listings and highly seasonal areas can be lower. Use data from comparable listings nearby rather than a national average.
What fees does Airbnb charge hosts?+
Under the split-fee model most hosts pay about 3% of the booking subtotal and guests pay a separate service fee. Under the host-only fee model, required for many professional hosts and some regions, the host pays about 14%–16% and guests pay no service fee.
What is break-even occupancy?+
Break-even occupancy is the share of nights you must book for revenue to cover every cost, including the mortgage. The lower it is, the more room the listing has to absorb a slow season, a price cut or a new competitor.
Is Airbnb more profitable than a long-term rental?+
Short-term rentals often earn more gross revenue than a long-term lease, but they carry higher costs — cleaning, furnishings, supplies, utilities, fees and management — plus more vacancy risk and regulation. Compare both on net cash flow, not gross rent.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.