North Carolina · Market rankings
Highest Occupancy Vacation Rental Markets in North Carolina
Where North Carolina short-term rentals keep the calendar full. Asheville models highest at 65% occupancy.
Modelled estimate
| # | Market | Modelled occupancy | Nightly rate | Occupancy | Peak season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville, NCBuncombe County | 65% | $265 | 65% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 2 | Charlotte, NCMecklenburg County | 62% | $182 | 62% | Apr–May–Jun |
| 3 | Wilmington, NCNew Hanover County | 61% | $228 | 61% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 4 | Raleigh, NCWake County | 61% | $175 | 61% | Apr–May–Jun |
| 5 | Wrightsville Beach, NCNew Hanover County | 60% | $312 | 60% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 6 | Nags Head, NCDare County | 58% | $322 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 7 | Outer Banks, NCDare County | 58% | $318 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 8 | Kill Devil Hills, NCDare County | 58% | $298 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 9 | Boone, NCWatauga County | 58% | $218 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 10 | Blowing Rock, NCWatauga County | 58% | $258 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 11 | Emerald Isle, NCCarteret County | 57% | $292 | 57% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 12 | Bryson City, NCSwain County | 57% | $218 | 57% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 13 | Corolla, NCCurrituck County | 56% | $365 | 56% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 14 | Banner Elk, NCAvery County | 56% | $242 | 56% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 15 | Nags Head area — Duck, NCDare County | 55% | $352 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 16 | Beaufort, NCCarteret County | 55% | $258 | 55% | Apr–May–Oct |
| 17 | Ocean Isle Beach, NCBrunswick County | 55% | $282 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 18 | Southport, NCBrunswick County | 55% | $248 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 19 | Maggie Valley, NCHaywood County | 55% | $205 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 20 | Sunset Beach, NCBrunswick County | 54% | $278 | 54% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 21 | Hatteras, NCDare County | 54% | $292 | 54% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 22 | Ocracoke, NCHyde County | 50% | $282 | 50% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
Occupancy is the modelled annual average for a well-run, professionally priced listing — not a first-year figure for a new listing. 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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