15 Underrated U.S. Towns Where Short-Term Rentals Are Still Profitable
15 Underrated U.S. Towns Where Short-Term Rentals Are Still Profitable
Short-term rental investing has exploded in popularity over the last decade.
But as more investors enter the market, many of the most well-known destinations have become highly competitive.
Cities that once produced strong short-term rental returns now face:
• rising property prices
• strict regulations
• thousands of competing listings
The good news is that profitable opportunities still exist across the United States.
They just tend to be in smaller tourism-driven towns that many investors overlook.
This guide highlights 15 markets where tourism demand, property prices, and competition still create interesting opportunities for short-term rental investors.
Each town was selected using a research framework called the FETCH Method, which evaluates:
• tourism demand
• listing competition
• nightly rates
• local regulations
• property price ranges
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Bryson City, North Carolina
Fredericksburg, Texas
North Conway, New Hampshire
Helen, Georgia
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Estes Park, Colorado
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Traverse City, Michigan
St. George, Utah
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Whitefish, Montana
Leavenworth, Washington
Sandpoint, Idaho
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Want the details of why these still work?
Download the Entire detailed list with details of why these areas still work in 2026!

