Airbnb Calculator and Deal Analyzer
Calculate cash flow after expenses and financing, cash-on-cash return, cap rate, and break-even occupancy for an Airbnb or Vrbo property you plan to buy. The calculator is free and needs no account. The PDF report asks for your email before it downloads.
Signs a deal is too thin
Lower the occupancy and nightly rate, then raise costs a little. If one small change turns cash flow negative, renegotiate or walk away. Watch for:
- The deal needs above-market occupancy to keep cash flow positive.
- Cleaning or management costs are below what local cleaners and managers charge.
- There is no maintenance reserve or slow-season cushion.
- Local STR rules or HOA restrictions are still unclear.
Related guides
- How much Airbnb charges hostsCheck the platform fee before you enter it.
- What a good cash-on-cash return looks likeCompare your result with common return targets.
- What a good occupancy rate looks likeCheck your occupancy against benchmarks by property type.
- Short-term rental investing guideMarket research, financing, setup, and operations in one guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is cash-on-cash return?
Cash-on-cash return is annual cash flow after the mortgage divided by the total cash you put in. In this calculator, total cash invested is the down payment, closing costs of 3% of the purchase price, and any furnishing and setup costs you enter.
What is a good cash-on-cash return for a short-term rental?
The STR Numbers guide "What's a Good Cash-on-Cash Return for Airbnb?" uses 8% to 12% a year as the target range. Under 5% is poor, and projections above 15% often mean optimistic occupancy or underestimated expenses.
What is break-even occupancy?
Break-even occupancy is the lowest occupancy at which cash flow reaches zero after operating costs and the mortgage. The further your occupancy sits above it, the more room the deal has for slow months. The STR Numbers guide "How to Calculate Airbnb Occupancy Rate (And What a Good One Looks Like)" notes that most well-structured short-term rental deals break even at 35% to 55% occupancy.
What occupancy should I assume?
Use booked nights at comparable listings near the property, not a national average. Then run the deal again at a lower occupancy than you expect. If cash flow only stays positive at your most optimistic occupancy, the deal is too thin.
What is cap rate?
Cap rate is net operating income divided by purchase price. It leaves out the mortgage, so you can compare properties before financing changes the result.
What expenses should I include in STR analysis?
Include platform fees, cleaning, property tax, insurance, utilities, HOA fees, a maintenance reserve, property management, and the mortgage payment. The calculator has a field for each operating cost and works out the mortgage from your loan terms. Property management starts at 0%, which assumes you manage the rental yourself. Enter your manager's percentage if you hire one.
Does the calculator include furnishing?
Only if you enter it. Furnishing and setup defaults to $0 and adds to total cash invested, so cash-on-cash return and payback include it. The Furnishing Budget calculator can help you estimate the amount.
How does the calculator treat cleaning fees?
Enter the cleaning fee guests pay per turnover. The calculator counts one turnover per average stay, adds the fees to gross revenue, and assumes they cover your cleaning cost. Platform fees, management, and the maintenance reserve are percentages of gross revenue, so they still apply to cleaning income.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. See full disclaimer