North Carolina · County intelligence
Dare County vacation rental market
5 tracked short-term rental markets sit inside Dare County. Across them, nightly rates model at $316 and occupancy at 57%, for roughly $65,380 of gross annual revenue on a three-bedroom home.
Markets in Dare County
| # | Market | Modelled annual revenue | Nightly rate | Occupancy | Peak season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nags Head area — Duck, NCDare County | $70,700 | $352 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 2 | Nags Head, NCDare County | $68,200 | $322 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 3 | Outer Banks, NCDare County | $67,300 | $318 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 4 | Kill Devil Hills, NCDare County | $63,100 | $298 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 5 | Hatteras, NCDare County | $57,600 | $292 | 54% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
Why the county matters
Short-term rental rules in Dare County rarely sit in one place. A home inside an incorporated city usually answers to that city's ordinance, while a home in unincorporated Dare County answers to the county — often with different licence, inspection and minimum-stay requirements. County-level tourist development tax normally applies either way, on top of state sales tax.
Before buying, confirm two things: which jurisdiction the parcel actually sits in, and whether that jurisdiction caps or zones short-term rentals.
Rule status by market
- Nags HeadStatus unpublished
- Nags Head area — DuckStatus unpublished
- Outer BanksStatus unpublished
- Kill Devil HillsStatus unpublished
- HatterasStatus unpublished
We have not yet verified an official Dare County ordinance against a primary source, so no rule position is stated here. Always confirm with the county before committing.
Operating costs are modelled at 32% of gross revenue for a nightly rental (cleaning, supplies, utilities, platform fees, maintenance, insurance) and 14% for a monthly rental. Financing assumes a 25% down payment and a 30-year loan at 7%. These are planning assumptions, not quotes — replace them with your own numbers.
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