Right when most Americans are kicking back, Airbnb hosts are kicking into high gear: July Fourth marks the peak of summer rental season, and the top markets aren’t where you might think.
Short-term rental (STR) data site Beyond found that the most packed area for bookings during the July Fourth week is a tie between the Florida Panhandle and the Alabama Gulf Coast with an occupancy rate of 67%. Who would have guessed?
The popularity of these two destinations may, in part, boil down to budget constraints. Although short-term rental rates in upscale beach destinations like the Hamptons on New York’s Long Island can cost several thousands of dollars a day, fees in the Florida Panhandle and Alabama Gulf Coast average just over $600 per day over the July Fourth weekend.
Data from Beyond/designed in Datawrapper
Beyond also found that this summer’s vacationers are suffering from the strains of an uncertain economy—showing greater price sensitivity, booking shorter stays, and waiting longer to lock in their plans. Summer 2025 travelers booked just 26.1 days out, an 11% decrease from last year. Some guests may be holding out in the hopes of landing a last-minute deal.
Travelers also gravitated to rentals within driving distance rather than flying further afield. “People still want to take trips, but those trips might be closer to home,” said Julie Brinkman, CEO of Beyond. “They need to know that they have job security, that they’re able to fund their trip.”
Even though summer travelers are leery of overspending, STR hosts in the top markets are still raking in decent profits and stand to make $1,200 this holiday weekend (July 4–6) and over $64,000 by the end of the year.
July marks not only the pinnacle of short-term rental season but also the top profits for hosts across the country: Nationwide, short-term rental rates for consumers peak this month at $474 per night, as does the revenue hosts rake in per available night at $381. After that, day rates (and profits) slide downward as the temperature cools, bottoming out in January at $67 per night. Which, come to think of it, makes that a great time to book your next bargain vacation.
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