Florida, California, and Texas collectively represented 32.5% of all 2025 Airbnb market searches conducted by investors, according to new data from real estate technology platform Chalet. The findings underscore the enduring appeal of Sun Belt states for short-term rental property investment, even as investor interest remains broadly distributed across numerous regional markets rather than concentrating in a few major cities.
The data, sourced from Chalet's platform at www.GetChalet.com, indicates that regional vacation markets experienced higher engagement rates for property investments compared to major urban centers. This trend suggests investors are looking beyond traditional tourist hubs toward emerging destinations with potential for short-term rental returns.
Despite the concentration of searches in the three leading states, the most-searched individual market accounted for only about 1.8% of total searches. This distribution pattern reveals that while the Sun Belt maintains strong overall appeal, no single market dominated investor attention in 2025. The widespread interest across multiple markets points to a diversified approach among short-term rental investors seeking opportunities beyond saturated urban areas.
The implications of this data are significant for both current and prospective short-term rental property owners. The continued focus on Sun Belt states suggests these regions offer perceived stability and growth potential, possibly due to factors like climate, tourism infrastructure, or regulatory environments favorable to short-term rentals. However, the distributed nature of searches indicates investors are conducting thorough market research across numerous locations before making decisions.
For the short-term rental industry, these patterns highlight evolving investment strategies as the market matures. The higher engagement with regional vacation markets compared to major cities could signal a shift toward secondary markets where competition might be less intense and acquisition costs potentially lower. This data-driven approach to investment decisions reflects the growing sophistication of the short-term rental sector, where platforms like Chalet provide analytics and tools previously unavailable to most investors.
The broader real estate market may also feel the effects of these search patterns, as investor interest concentrated in specific regions could influence property values and development priorities. Local economies in popular search destinations might experience increased investment in vacation properties, potentially affecting housing availability and pricing for permanent residents.
As the short-term rental market continues to evolve, data transparency becomes increasingly crucial for informed decision-making. The availability of platforms offering free analytics, like Chalet's tools accessible at www.GetChalet.com, enables more investors to conduct thorough market research, potentially leading to more strategic investments and a more balanced distribution of short-term rental properties across the country.
