North Carolina · Market rankings

Most Seasonal Vacation Rental Markets in North Carolina

Where North Carolina demand concentrates into a short window — and where cash flow has to be planned around it.

Modelled estimate
#MarketShare of revenue in top 4 monthsNightly rateOccupancyPeak season
1Ocracoke, NCHyde County56%$28250%Jun–Jul–Aug
2Banner Elk, NCAvery County52%$24256%Jan–Feb–Mar
3Bryson City, NCSwain County48%$21857%Jun–Jul–Aug
4Kill Devil Hills, NCDare County48%$29858%Jun–Jul–Aug
5Corolla, NCCurrituck County48%$36556%Jun–Jul–Aug
6Southport, NCBrunswick County48%$24855%Jun–Jul–Aug
7Wilmington, NCNew Hanover County48%$22861%Jun–Jul–Aug
8Wrightsville Beach, NCNew Hanover County48%$31260%Jun–Jul–Aug
9Sunset Beach, NCBrunswick County48%$27854%Jun–Jul–Aug
10Emerald Isle, NCCarteret County48%$29257%Jun–Jul–Aug
11Hatteras, NCDare County48%$29254%Jun–Jul–Aug
12Ocean Isle Beach, NCBrunswick County48%$28255%Jun–Jul–Aug
13Outer Banks, NCDare County48%$31858%Jun–Jul–Aug
14Nags Head, NCDare County48%$32258%Jun–Jul–Aug
15Nags Head area — Duck, NCDare County48%$35255%Jun–Jul–Aug
16Asheville, NCBuncombe County45%$26565%Jun–Jul–Aug
17Maggie Valley, NCHaywood County45%$20555%Jun–Jul–Aug
18Boone, NCWatauga County45%$21858%Jun–Jul–Aug
19Blowing Rock, NCWatauga County45%$25858%Jun–Jul–Aug
20Beaufort, NCCarteret County40%$25855%Apr–May–Oct
21Raleigh, NCWake County38%$17561%Apr–May–Jun
22Charlotte, NCMecklenburg County38%$18262%Apr–May–Jun

Seasonality is the share of modelled annual revenue that lands in the four strongest months. Above roughly 48% we call a market highly seasonal. 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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