Top 16 Airbnb Markets in Florida

Florida is the unrivaled tourism capital of the United States, boasting year-round sunshine, world-famous beaches, and theme-park meccas that collectively draw more than 130 million visitors annually. From the Panhandle’s emerald waters to South Florida’s cosmopolitan coastline, the Sunshine State offers a broad mix of established vacation hubs and up-and-coming metro areas. Whether you’re chasing high cash-flow properties or long-term appreciation, these are the top-ranking Airbnb markets in Florida, according to AirDNA’s proprietary data.

What Is AirDNA’s Market Score?

Market Score is a proprietary metric that ranks how attractive a location is for short-term rental (STR) investment. Each score is calculated based on the following five metrics:

• Investability
• Rental Demand
• Revenue Growth
• Seasonality
• Regulation

Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating stronger overall market health. In addition to an overall Market Score, each of the five metrics gets its own score on the same scale within the AirDNA app. This level of granularity is useful for Airbnb stakeholders interested in a particular aspect of market behavior.

Understanding Markets vs. Submarkets

This list focuses on Florida’s largest markets, rather than hyper-local submarkets or neighborhoods. In the AirDNA platform, you can zoom in further to discover city blocks, coastal communities, or lake areas that might outperform their parent market. Combining both perspectives helps investors uncover hidden pockets of opportunity.

Airbnb Market Overview in Florida

Florida’s STR landscape benefits from a rare mix of leisure, business, and event-driven travel. Theme-park magnets like Orlando enjoy consistent, family-oriented demand, while beach cities such as Destin, Pensacola, and Miami thrive on both domestic and international tourism. In recent years, secondary metros—Tampa, Jacksonville, and Sarasota—have surged as remote-work hubs, adding an entirely new demand segment. Although certain coastal counties have tightened regulations, the state remains one of the most favorable environments for STR investment thanks to diversified demand drivers and historically resilient tourism numbers.

Top 16 Airbnb Markets in Florida (Ranked by Market Score)

16. Florida Central Area

Market Score: 46.92

Encompassing small towns and rural pockets between Orlando and Tampa, the Central Florida Area offers investors bargain-priced properties and spillover demand from major theme-park corridors.

15. Amelia/St. Simons/Jekyll Islands

Market Score: 47.31

This cluster of barrier islands straddles the Florida-Georgia line. Known for historic forts and uncrowded beaches, the region caters to travelers seeking a quieter, laid-back getaway.

14. Ft. Lauderdale

Market Score: 54.31

Ft. Lauderdale’s yachting culture, cruise-port traffic, and proximity to Miami keep occupancy rates healthy, though investors must navigate relatively tight regulations and higher acquisition costs.

13. Miami

Market Score: 54.78

Miami remains an international tourism powerhouse with sky-high ADRs, vibrant nightlife, and Art Deco flair. STR regulations are complex, but global demand and year-round events sustain strong revenue potential.

12. Melborne/Titusville

Market Score: 60.80

The Space Coast—home to Kennedy Space Center—benefits from aerospace launches, beach tourism, and growing tech employment, giving investors a balanced mix of leisure and business bookings.

11. Cape Coral/Fort Myers

Market Score: 61.34

Southwest Florida’s canal-lined neighborhoods and boating culture fuel demand among retirees and snowbirds. Post-hurricane redevelopment has also opened doors for value-add STR opportunities.

10. St. Petersburg

Market Score: 65.76

St. Pete’s arts scene, award-winning beaches, and proximity to Tampa draw both weekenders and longer-term digital nomads, keeping occupancy steady throughout the year.

9. Sarasota

Market Score: 69.84

Known for Siesta Key’s pristine sands, Sarasota commands premium nightly rates. Strong cultural offerings and an affluent retiree base support shoulder-season bookings.

8. Panama City

Market Score: 73.15

Panama City’s Gulf Coast allure appeals to spring-break crowds and family vacationers alike. Recent infrastructure upgrades and military-related demand diversify revenue streams beyond peak season.

7. Jacksonville

Market Score: 76.31

Florida’s largest city by land area offers investors both beachfront and urban inventory. A growing fintech sector and professional sports events bolster midweek occupancy.

6. West Palm Beach

Market Score: 78.36

West Palm Beach combines luxury tourism with a thriving downtown arts district. High ADRs offset steeper property prices, and the city’s Brightline rail connection is fueling additional demand.

5. Santa Rosa/Rosemary Beach

Market Score: 85.18

Part of the scenic 30A corridor, Santa Rosa and Rosemary Beach attract high-income families seeking upscale beachfront rentals. Limited inventory helps keep nightly rates robust.

4. Orlando

Market Score: 88.53

Home to Disney World and Universal Studios, Orlando boasts some of the highest annual occupancy levels in the country. Purpose-built vacation-home communities and lenient county rules offer ample supply choices.

3. Tampa

Market Score: 90.42

Tampa’s meteoric job growth, top-tier hospitals, and championship sports teams create stable, year-round STR demand. Ybor City and waterfront districts are especially popular among visitors.

2. Pensacola

Market Score: 90.62

Pensacola’s sugar-white beaches, historic downtown, and naval aviation events keep calendars booked. Lower acquisition costs than other Gulf Coast cities make it a compelling cash-flow play.

1. Destin/Ft. Walton Beach

Market Score: 90.90

The Emerald Coast’s crown jewel tops the list thanks to unparalleled water clarity, family-friendly attractions, and consistently high ADRs. Peak-season demand is intense, but shoulder-season fishing tournaments and festivals help fill vacancies year-round.

Should You Invest in Florida?

Florida’s diversified tourism engine, business-friendly tax environment, and robust population growth create a fertile landscape for short-term rental investment. While coastal markets like Destin, Pensacola, and Miami may command higher purchase prices, they also deliver premium nightly rates. Inland metros—Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville—offer large guest pools and comparatively more flexible regulations.

Investors willing to venture into emerging areas such as the Central Florida interior or the Space Coast can still find affordable entry points with upside potential. As always, due diligence on local ordinances, seasonality, and supply dynamics is essential. Leveraging AirDNA’s real-time data will help you pinpoint the precise neighborhoods and property types poised for top performance.