Best Touristy Towns To Own Rental Property
See which travel-worthy towns draw in the most visitors.View Gallery
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Imagine owning a rental property that generates a constant stream of passive income because it’s so in demand with tourists. This dream can become a reality if you decide to buy property in a town that offers popular local attractions, such as adventurous theme parks, lush wineries and beautiful museums.
If you want to invest in a rental property, the next step is to find the most worthwhile places to look. To determine the best touristy towns to own rental property, GOBankingRates analyzed the annual rental revenue and average daily rental rate in 50 cities and destinations. The annual rental revenue for each town comprises the total nightly rate and cleaning fees earned over the past year and doesn’t include taxes, service fees or additional guest fees. The average daily rental rate consists of the average nightly rate and cleaning fees for all booked days over the last year.
With growing platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway, it’s a simple task to rent out your property to eager vacationers across America. California, in particular, hosts the largest number of cities with popular attractions, followed by Florida. Overall, there are plenty of U.S. cities where you can own a lucrative investment property.
Last updated: October 1, 2020
50. Grand Canyon, Arizona
- Attraction(s): Grand Canyon National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $1,743
- Average daily rental rate: $80
49. St. Louis
- Attraction(s): Gateway Arch, St. Louis’ Old Courthouse and Missouri Botanical Garden
- Annual rental revenue: $1,757
- Average daily rental rate: $109
48. Philadelphia
- Attraction(s): Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and South Street
- Annual rental revenue: $2,129
- Average daily rental rate: $143
Read More: 13 Ways To Invest That Don’t Involve the Stock Market
47. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain
- Annual rental revenue: $2,375
- Average daily rental rate: $144
46. Niagara Falls, New York
- Attraction(s): Niagara Falls
- Annual rental revenue: $2,064
- Average daily rental rate: $164
45. Williamsburg, Virginia
- Attraction(s): Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Annual rental revenue: $1,864
- Average daily rental rate: $181
44. Joshua Tree, California
- Attraction(s): Joshua Tree National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $2,209
- Average daily rental rate: $160
43. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Attraction(s): Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site
- Annual rental revenue: $2,080
- Average daily rental rate: $171
42. Washington, D.C.
- Attraction(s): White House, United States Capitol and Smithsonian
- Annual rental revenue: $2,495
- Average daily rental rate: $149
41. Miami
- Attraction(s): Everglades, South Beach, art deco architecture and Little Havana
- Annual rental revenue: $2,248
- Average daily rental rate: $166
40. Chicago
- Attraction(s): Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower and Wrigley Field
- Annual rental revenue: $2,386
- Average daily rental rate: $158
39. Seattle
- Attraction(s): Space Needle and Pike Place Market
- Annual rental revenue: $2,637
- Average daily rental rate: $156
38. Los Angeles
- Attraction(s): Hollywood, Venice Beach, Santa Monica State Beach and Universal Studios Hollywood
- Annual rental revenue: $2,785
- Average daily rental rate: $160
37. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Attraction(s): Las Olas Boulevard, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, and widespread beaches
- Annual rental revenue: $2,465
- Average daily rental rate: $180
36. Juneau, Alaska
- Attraction(s): Mendenhall Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord and Tongass National Forest
- Annual rental revenue: $2,794
- Average daily rental rate: $166
35. New Orleans
- Attraction(s): French Quarter, Mardi Gras, bustling jazz clubs and timeless streetcars
- Annual rental revenue: $2,501
- Average daily rental rate: $187
34. Orlando, Florida
- Attraction(s): Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort
- Annual rental revenue: $2,590
- Average daily rental rate: $183
33. Ashford, Washington
- Attraction(s): Mount Rainier National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $2,806
- Average daily rental rate: $183
32. Las Vegas
- Attraction(s): Las Vegas Strip and casinos
- Annual rental revenue: $2,800
- Average daily rental rate: $196
31. St. Augustine, Florida
- Attraction(s): Colonial Quarter, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and St. Augustine Beach
- Annual rental revenue: $2,914
- Average daily rental rate: $197
30. Keystone, South Dakota
- Attraction(s): Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Annual rental revenue: $2,900
- Average daily rental rate: $200
29. New York
- Attraction(s): Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and One World Trade Center
- Annual rental revenue: $3,060
- Average daily rental rate: $191
28. Sedona, Arizona
- Attraction(s): Coconino National Forest, canyons and red sandstone formations
- Annual rental revenue: $2,918
- Average daily rental rate: $200
27. Honolulu
- Attraction(s): Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Diamond Head State Monument
- Annual rental revenue: $3,335
- Average daily rental rate: $179
26. Savannah, Georgia
- Attraction(s): Historic District, Forsyth Park and no open container laws
- Annual rental revenue: $3,005
- Average daily rental rate: $214
25. Adirondack, New York
- Attraction(s): Adirondack Mountains and Schroon Lake
- Annual rental revenue: $3,099
- Average daily rental rate: $228
24. San Diego
- Attraction(s): San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp Quarter and Coronado
- Annual rental revenue: $3,375
- Average daily rental rate: $211
23. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Attraction(s): Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $3,700
- Average daily rental rate: $215
22. Charleston, South Carolina
- Attraction(s): Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Aiken-Rhett House Museum
- Annual rental revenue: $3,365
- Average daily rental rate: $236
21. Sanibel Island, Florida
- Attraction(s): Sanibel Stoop, Wildlife Drive and beaches
- Annual rental revenue: $3,740
- Average daily rental rate: $250
20. San Francisco
- Attraction(s): Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and iconic cable cars
- Annual rental revenue: $3,958
- Average daily rental rate: $238
19. Boston
- Attraction(s): Fenway Park, Boston Common and Bunker Hill Monument
- Annual rental revenue: $4,204
- Average daily rental rate: $240
18. Bryce, Utah
- Attraction(s): Bryce Canyon National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,458
- Average daily rental rate: $227
17. Bar Harbor, Maine
- Attraction(s): Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor’s Main Street
- Annual rental revenue: $4,450
- Average daily rental rate: $248
16. West Yellowstone, Montana
- Attraction(s): Yellowstone National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $3,981
- Average daily rental rate: $289
15. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Popular outdoor activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, rafting and biking; summer festivals, including the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park; Strawberry Park Hot Springs; and Old Town Hot Springs
- Annual rental revenue: $3,315
- Average daily rental rate: $339
14. Anaheim, California
- Attraction(s): Disneyland Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,710
- Average daily rental rate: $263
13. Rodanthe, North Carolina
- Attraction(s): The Outer Banks (family-friendly beaches, barrier islands and historic shipwrecks to explore)
- Annual rental revenue: $4,331
- Average daily rental rate: $287
12. Destin, Florida
- Attraction(s): Henderson Beach State Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,437
- Average daily rental rate: $282
11. South Lake Tahoe, California
- Attraction(s): Lake Tahoe
- Annual rental revenue: $3,856
- Average daily rental rate: $349
10. Springdale, Utah
- Attraction(s): Zion National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,950
- Average daily rental rate: $322
9. Newport, Rhode Island
- Attraction(s): Colonial homes, Thames Street, Fort Adams and sprawling beaches
- Annual rental revenue: $4,334
- Average daily rental rate: $369
8. Key West, Florida
- Attraction(s): Florida Keys, celebrated beaches and ample fishing
- Annual rental revenue: $5,276
- Average daily rental rate: $321
7. Jackson, Wyoming
- Attraction(s): Jackson Hole, Snow King Mountain and Grand Teton National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $5,086
- Average daily rental rate: $428
6. West Glacier, Montana
- Attraction(s): Glacier National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $6,301
- Average daily rental rate: $359
5. Yosemite, California
- Attraction(s): Yosemite National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $6,275
- Average daily rental rate: $427
4. Sonoma, California
- Attraction(s): 400 wineries (some of which offer free tastings), farm-to-table eateries, specialty food stores and bustling farmers markets, plus breweries, distilleries and cider houses
- Annual rental revenue: $5,817
- Average daily rental rate: $456
3. Telluride, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Skiing and film festival
- Annual rental revenue: $5,600
- Average daily rental rate: $514
2. Aspen, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Skiing
- Annual rental revenue: $6,300
- Average daily rental rate: $625
1. Big Sur, California
- Attraction(s): Home of the famous U.S. Highway 1 and the longest scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States
- Annual rental revenue: $12,650
- Average daily rental rate: $756
More From GOBankingRates
Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best touristy towns to own rental property by using U.S. News & World Report’s Best USA Vacation Rankings to generate a list of 50 cities, towns and destinations, which were then analyzed in terms of annual rental revenue and average daily rental rate, sourced from AirDNA. These two factors were scored and added together, and then all 50 places were ranked. All data used to conduct this study was compiled and verified on Sept. 19, 2019.
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Imagine owning a rental property that generates a constant stream of passive income because it’s so in demand with tourists. This dream can become a reality if you decide to buy property in a town that offers popular local attractions, such as adventurous theme parks, lush wineries and beautiful museums.
If you want to invest in a rental property, the next step is to find the most worthwhile places to look. To determine the best touristy towns to own rental property, GOBankingRates analyzed the annual rental revenue and average daily rental rate in 50 cities and destinations. The annual rental revenue for each town comprises the total nightly rate and cleaning fees earned over the past year and doesn’t include taxes, service fees or additional guest fees. The average daily rental rate consists of the average nightly rate and cleaning fees for all booked days over the last year.
With growing platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway, it’s a simple task to rent out your property to eager vacationers across America. California, in particular, hosts the largest number of cities with popular attractions, followed by Florida. Overall, there are plenty of U.S. cities where you can own a lucrative investment property.
Last updated: October 1, 2020
50. Grand Canyon, Arizona
- Attraction(s): Grand Canyon National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $1,743
- Average daily rental rate: $80
49. St. Louis
- Attraction(s): Gateway Arch, St. Louis’ Old Courthouse and Missouri Botanical Garden
- Annual rental revenue: $1,757
- Average daily rental rate: $109
48. Philadelphia
- Attraction(s): Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and South Street
- Annual rental revenue: $2,129
- Average daily rental rate: $143
Read More: 13 Ways To Invest That Don’t Involve the Stock Market
47. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain
- Annual rental revenue: $2,375
- Average daily rental rate: $144
46. Niagara Falls, New York
- Attraction(s): Niagara Falls
- Annual rental revenue: $2,064
- Average daily rental rate: $164
45. Williamsburg, Virginia
- Attraction(s): Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Annual rental revenue: $1,864
- Average daily rental rate: $181
44. Joshua Tree, California
- Attraction(s): Joshua Tree National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $2,209
- Average daily rental rate: $160
43. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Attraction(s): Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site
- Annual rental revenue: $2,080
- Average daily rental rate: $171
42. Washington, D.C.
- Attraction(s): White House, United States Capitol and Smithsonian
- Annual rental revenue: $2,495
- Average daily rental rate: $149
41. Miami
- Attraction(s): Everglades, South Beach, art deco architecture and Little Havana
- Annual rental revenue: $2,248
- Average daily rental rate: $166
40. Chicago
- Attraction(s): Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower and Wrigley Field
- Annual rental revenue: $2,386
- Average daily rental rate: $158
39. Seattle
- Attraction(s): Space Needle and Pike Place Market
- Annual rental revenue: $2,637
- Average daily rental rate: $156
38. Los Angeles
- Attraction(s): Hollywood, Venice Beach, Santa Monica State Beach and Universal Studios Hollywood
- Annual rental revenue: $2,785
- Average daily rental rate: $160
37. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Attraction(s): Las Olas Boulevard, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, and widespread beaches
- Annual rental revenue: $2,465
- Average daily rental rate: $180
36. Juneau, Alaska
- Attraction(s): Mendenhall Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord and Tongass National Forest
- Annual rental revenue: $2,794
- Average daily rental rate: $166
35. New Orleans
- Attraction(s): French Quarter, Mardi Gras, bustling jazz clubs and timeless streetcars
- Annual rental revenue: $2,501
- Average daily rental rate: $187
34. Orlando, Florida
- Attraction(s): Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort
- Annual rental revenue: $2,590
- Average daily rental rate: $183
33. Ashford, Washington
- Attraction(s): Mount Rainier National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $2,806
- Average daily rental rate: $183
32. Las Vegas
- Attraction(s): Las Vegas Strip and casinos
- Annual rental revenue: $2,800
- Average daily rental rate: $196
31. St. Augustine, Florida
- Attraction(s): Colonial Quarter, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and St. Augustine Beach
- Annual rental revenue: $2,914
- Average daily rental rate: $197
30. Keystone, South Dakota
- Attraction(s): Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Annual rental revenue: $2,900
- Average daily rental rate: $200
29. New York
- Attraction(s): Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and One World Trade Center
- Annual rental revenue: $3,060
- Average daily rental rate: $191
28. Sedona, Arizona
- Attraction(s): Coconino National Forest, canyons and red sandstone formations
- Annual rental revenue: $2,918
- Average daily rental rate: $200
27. Honolulu
- Attraction(s): Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Diamond Head State Monument
- Annual rental revenue: $3,335
- Average daily rental rate: $179
26. Savannah, Georgia
- Attraction(s): Historic District, Forsyth Park and no open container laws
- Annual rental revenue: $3,005
- Average daily rental rate: $214
25. Adirondack, New York
- Attraction(s): Adirondack Mountains and Schroon Lake
- Annual rental revenue: $3,099
- Average daily rental rate: $228
24. San Diego
- Attraction(s): San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp Quarter and Coronado
- Annual rental revenue: $3,375
- Average daily rental rate: $211
23. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Attraction(s): Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $3,700
- Average daily rental rate: $215
22. Charleston, South Carolina
- Attraction(s): Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Aiken-Rhett House Museum
- Annual rental revenue: $3,365
- Average daily rental rate: $236
21. Sanibel Island, Florida
- Attraction(s): Sanibel Stoop, Wildlife Drive and beaches
- Annual rental revenue: $3,740
- Average daily rental rate: $250
20. San Francisco
- Attraction(s): Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and iconic cable cars
- Annual rental revenue: $3,958
- Average daily rental rate: $238
19. Boston
- Attraction(s): Fenway Park, Boston Common and Bunker Hill Monument
- Annual rental revenue: $4,204
- Average daily rental rate: $240
18. Bryce, Utah
- Attraction(s): Bryce Canyon National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,458
- Average daily rental rate: $227
17. Bar Harbor, Maine
- Attraction(s): Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor’s Main Street
- Annual rental revenue: $4,450
- Average daily rental rate: $248
16. West Yellowstone, Montana
- Attraction(s): Yellowstone National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $3,981
- Average daily rental rate: $289
15. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Popular outdoor activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, rafting and biking; summer festivals, including the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park; Strawberry Park Hot Springs; and Old Town Hot Springs
- Annual rental revenue: $3,315
- Average daily rental rate: $339
14. Anaheim, California
- Attraction(s): Disneyland Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,710
- Average daily rental rate: $263
13. Rodanthe, North Carolina
- Attraction(s): The Outer Banks (family-friendly beaches, barrier islands and historic shipwrecks to explore)
- Annual rental revenue: $4,331
- Average daily rental rate: $287
12. Destin, Florida
- Attraction(s): Henderson Beach State Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,437
- Average daily rental rate: $282
11. South Lake Tahoe, California
- Attraction(s): Lake Tahoe
- Annual rental revenue: $3,856
- Average daily rental rate: $349
10. Springdale, Utah
- Attraction(s): Zion National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $4,950
- Average daily rental rate: $322
9. Newport, Rhode Island
- Attraction(s): Colonial homes, Thames Street, Fort Adams and sprawling beaches
- Annual rental revenue: $4,334
- Average daily rental rate: $369
8. Key West, Florida
- Attraction(s): Florida Keys, celebrated beaches and ample fishing
- Annual rental revenue: $5,276
- Average daily rental rate: $321
7. Jackson, Wyoming
- Attraction(s): Jackson Hole, Snow King Mountain and Grand Teton National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $5,086
- Average daily rental rate: $428
6. West Glacier, Montana
- Attraction(s): Glacier National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $6,301
- Average daily rental rate: $359
5. Yosemite, California
- Attraction(s): Yosemite National Park
- Annual rental revenue: $6,275
- Average daily rental rate: $427
4. Sonoma, California
- Attraction(s): 400 wineries (some of which offer free tastings), farm-to-table eateries, specialty food stores and bustling farmers markets, plus breweries, distilleries and cider houses
- Annual rental revenue: $5,817
- Average daily rental rate: $456
3. Telluride, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Skiing and film festival
- Annual rental revenue: $5,600
- Average daily rental rate: $514
2. Aspen, Colorado
- Attraction(s): Skiing
- Annual rental revenue: $6,300
- Average daily rental rate: $625
1. Big Sur, California
- Attraction(s): Home of the famous U.S. Highway 1 and the longest scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States
- Annual rental revenue: $12,650
- Average daily rental rate: $756
More From GOBankingRates
Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best touristy towns to own rental property by using U.S. News & World Report’s Best USA Vacation Rankings to generate a list of 50 cities, towns and destinations, which were then analyzed in terms of annual rental revenue and average daily rental rate, sourced from AirDNA. These two factors were scored and added together, and then all 50 places were ranked. All data used to conduct this study was compiled and verified on Sept. 19, 2019.