Airbnb Profit Calculator
Month-by-month seasonal cash flow for short-term rentals — peak profits, off-season losses, and the cash buffer you need, not a flat vacancy rate.
— then fine-tune any month below.
Annual net cash flow
6 months run cash-negative. Off-season losses total $2,086.62 — keep at least that much as a buffer so the slow months can't force a distressed decision. This is what a flat annual vacancy rate hides.
| Month | Occupancy | Nights | Rate | Revenue | Cash flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40% | 12.4 | $150 | $1,860 | -$581.80 |
| Feb | 42% | 11.8 | $150 | $1,764 | -$665.32 |
| Mar | 50% | 15.5 | $150 | $2,325 | -$177.25 |
| Apr | 55% | 16.5 | $150 | $2,475 | -$46.75 |
| May | 65% | 20.2 | $150 | $3,023 | $429.58 |
| Junpeak | 85% | 25.5 | $180 | $4,590 | $1,869.80 |
| Julpeak | 92% | 28.5 | $180 | $5,134 | $2,351.79 |
| Augpeak | 90% | 27.9 | $180 | $5,022 | $2,252.84 |
| Sep | 70% | 21.0 | $150 | $3,150 | $540.50 |
| Oct | 55% | 17.1 | $150 | $2,558 | $25.03 |
| Nov | 45% | 13.5 | $150 | $2,025 | -$438.25 |
| Dec | 50% | 15.5 | $150 | $2,325 | -$177.25 |
Annual worksheet
- Gross revenue
- $36,249.60
- All costs
- $30,866.69
= Σ (days × occupancy × rate) − Σ (fixed + nights × $15.00 + fees)
Expected-value model (fractional nights) · excludes CapEx and income tax — see FAQ
How to use
- Pick the seasonality preset closest to your market (summer, winter, or steady city), then fine-tune any month's occupancy.
- Enter your nightly rate, peak-season premium, and your real cost structure — fixed monthly bills, per-night variable costs, and fees.
- Read the ledger month by month: peak profits, off-season losses, and the buffer figure that tells you how much cash the slow months will consume.
How it works
Almost every rental calculator asks for one vacancy rate and multiplies. Short-term rentals don't work that way — a beach house at 92% occupancy in July and 40% in January isn't "66% occupied," it's a business with two seasons that behave like different businesses.
This model runs each month separately using the RevPAR identity revenue = days × occupancy × rate, applies your peak-season pricing to the three busiest months, subtracts fixed and per-night costs, and then reports the two numbers that decide whether you survive to the next high season: how many months run negative, and the total cash those months consume.
All calculation happens in your browser. Your numbers never leave your device.
Frequently asked questions
How much profit does an Airbnb actually make?
It depends almost entirely on occupancy, nightly rate, and fixed costs — which is why honest answers are calculators, not averages. Plug in your market's numbers above; the annual net and the month-by-month ledger are your answer. A listing that clears $2,000 in July can still lose money for six months of the year.
What occupancy rate is realistic for a short-term rental?
Most healthy markets land somewhere between 40% and 75% averaged over the year, with strong seasonal swings around that average. Research comparable listings in your area for each season rather than assuming one number — that's exactly what the monthly fields are for.
Why model monthly seasonality instead of a flat vacancy rate?
A flat rate hides the shape of the year. Two properties can both average 60% occupancy while one is steady and the other swings 92% to 40% — same average, completely different cash needs. The seasonal model shows how many months run negative and how much buffer you need, which a flat-vacancy calculator structurally cannot tell you.
Which costs does this calculator leave out?
Capital expenses (furnace, roof, furniture refresh), property and income taxes, and financing changes are excluded — they vary too much by owner to model honestly with one field. Treat the net cash flow here as pre-tax, pre-CapEx operating cash flow, and set aside a separate reserve for capital items.
What are ADR and RevPAR?
ADR (average daily rate) is your average nightly price on booked nights. RevPAR (revenue per available rental) spreads revenue over all nights, booked or not — mathematically occupancy × ADR. This calculator's monthly revenue is the RevPAR identity applied to each month: days × occupancy × rate.
How big should my off-season buffer be?
At minimum, the buffer figure this tool computes — the sum of every negative month's shortfall. That's the cash the slow season will actually consume before high season returns. Most hosts add a margin on top for surprises (a cancelled peak week, a repair).
Related tools
- Cosigner Loan Risk CalculatorSee the monthly payment you'd be liable for, your before-and-after debt-to-income ratio, and the mortgage buying power you'd give up — before you co-sign.
- Medical Bill Payment Plan CalculatorCompare a 0% hospital plan, a deferred-interest medical credit card, and a personal loan — including the retroactive interest charge if you miss the promo.
- Home Insurance Increase CalculatorEnter your renewal history to see your premium's real growth rate vs. inflation, the extra dollars you've paid, and whether it's time to get quotes.
- Airbnb Host Insurance Gap CalculatorSee the dollar gaps between your homeowner's policy, Airbnb's AirCover, and a dedicated STR policy across four real claim scenarios.
This tool is an educational estimate of operating cash flow, not investment advice. Markets, fees, taxes, and regulations vary by city — verify local rules and real comparable data before purchasing or converting a property.