Short-Term vs Long-Term Rental Myrtle Beach 2026 — Hereda Team at Carolina Crafted Homes

Market TrendsMyrtle Beach Real EstateInvestment Property

August 03, 2026

TL;DR: On gross revenue, the average Myrtle Beach short-term rental brought in about $26,100 over the trailing year, while a two- or three-bedroom long-term lease benchmarks closer to $15,000–$17,200 annually. That gap narrows once operating costs enter the picture — and short-term revenue is currently declining even as nightly rates climb.

Myrtle Beach had 19,903 active short-term rental listings as of June 2026, according to AirDNA (July 2026). That is a crowded field competing for the same visitors. Over the same period, the average listing's revenue fell 2.3% year over year while average daily rates rose 8.4%. Hosts are charging more and booking less. Owners weighing nightly rentals against a twelve-month lease are choosing between two very different risk profiles, and the headline numbers only tell part of the story. Here is what the 2026 data shows for both strategies across the Grand Strand — and where the two sets of numbers stop being directly comparable.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rental in Myrtle Beach: The 2026 Gross Numbers

According to AirDNA (July 2026), the average active Myrtle Beach short-term rental earned $26.1K in revenue over the trailing twelve months. Listings booked 53% of available nights at a $280 average daily rate, producing a RevPAR — daily rate weighted by occupancy — of $147.

The long-term side needs a different benchmark. HUD's 2026 HOME Program Rent Limits for the Horry County HOME Consortium (effective June 1, 2026) set a High HOME Rent of $1,248 for a two-bedroom unit and $1,433 for a three-bedroom.

An important caveat: these are program ceilings for income-restricted units, not a measure of market rent. They function as a conservative reference point, and actual market rents in Horry County may sit above them.

Myrtle Beach Rental Income Reference Points, 2026

  
      Measure Short-Term Rental Long-Term Reference 
  Gross annual income $26,100 (average active listing) $14,976 (2BR) – $17,196 (3BR) 
 Pricing unit $280 per night $1,248 – $1,433 per month 
 Occupancy basis 53% of available nights Assumes 12 months leased 
 Year-over-year direction Revenue −2.3%, ADR +8.4%, occupancy −5.3% Limits reset annually by program 
 Expenses reflected None — figure is pre-expense None — figure is pre-expense 
 
  
  

Measure	Short-Term Rental	Long-Term Reference
Gross annual income	$26,100 (average active listing)	$14,976 (2BR) – $17,196 (3BR)
Pricing unit	$280 per night	$1,248 – $1,433 per month
Occupancy basis	53% of available nights	Assumes 12 months leased
Year-over-year direction	Revenue −2.3%, ADR +8.4%, occupancy −5.3%	Limits reset annually by program
Expenses reflected	None — figure is pre-expense	None — figure is pre-expense

Short-term figures: AirDNA (July 2026). Long-term figures: HUD 2026 HOME Program Rent Limits, Horry County HOME Consortium (effective June 2026). Boundaries differ across sources; figures are directional.

Why the Gross Comparison Overstates the Short-Term Advantage

AirDNA (July 2026) defines annual revenue as trailing-twelve-month earnings before host expenses, and that figure includes booked nightly rates plus cleaning and other guest fees. In other words, the cleaning fee a guest pays is counted as revenue, while the cost of actually cleaning the unit is not subtracted.

That distinction matters. Short-term operation carries costs a long-term lease does not:

Furnishing and periodic replacement of everything inside the unit
Utilities, internet, and consumable supplies paid by the owner
Turnover cleaning and linen service between every stay
Licensing, permitting, and applicable local fees
Management or booking platform costs

A long-term lease typically shifts utilities to the tenant and involves one turnover per lease term rather than dozens per year.

The $26,100 average also pools every listing size together — a studio and a five-bedroom house sit in the same average. Comparing that blended figure to a two-bedroom rent ceiling is directional, not precise.

Trend direction is worth watching too. Active listings fell 6.0% year over year while occupancy dropped 5.3%, according to AirDNA (July 2026). Supply is contracting and booked nights are contracting alongside it.

Purchase Price Is Half the Equation

Rental income only matters relative to what you paid. Condos dominate this market: they accounted for 73.3% of Myrtle Beach sales in 2025, according to CCAR MLS (January 2026).

Pricing has moved. The Myrtle Beach condo median sale price was $208,500 in April 2026, down 12.4% year over year, according to CCAR MLS (April 2026). Year-to-date, the condo median sat at $200,000. Single-family homes in the same ZIP codes carried a $478,000 median.

Inventory has loosened as well. Myrtle Beach condo inventory reached 1,475 units in April 2026, up 5.8% year over year, with condos averaging 142 days on market, per CCAR MLS (April 2026).

AirDNA (July 2026) scores Myrtle Beach 92 out of 100 on investability — a measure of local home prices relative to what short-term rentals in the area earn. That subscore reflects the acquisition side, not operating profit.

One practical note: rental terms are governed by regime or HOA documents and by local zoning. Confirm both before purchase, since a property's permitted minimum stay determines which strategy is even available to you.

Seasonality and the Work Behind the Return

Myrtle Beach scores 43 out of 100 on AirDNA's seasonality measure (July 2026), where a smaller gap between the year's weakest and strongest months scores higher. That reflects a real swing in monthly revenue across the Grand Strand.

A 53% annual occupancy rate means roughly half of available nights go unbooked. Those empty nights are concentrated outside peak season, which affects cash flow timing as much as annual totals.

Nationally, sales for non-primary residence use held at 16% of transactions in February 2026, with 5% intended for vacation use, according to NAR's REALTORS® Confidence Index (March 2026). Investment and vacation purchases remain a steady slice of activity rather than a surge.

The core tradeoff is straightforward. Short-term rentals show higher gross revenue and higher variability, with continuous operational work. Long-term leases show lower gross revenue, steadier monthly income, and far less day-to-day management.

Which one "makes more" depends on your expense structure, your property type, and whether your time counts as a cost. Current data supports the gross revenue advantage for short-term rentals in Horry County. It does not, on its own, establish a net advantage.

If the gross numbers point you toward a nightly rental but the turnover cleaning, guest messaging, and seasonal pricing sound like a second job, that's a solvable problem — Carolina Crafted Getaways handles short-term rental management so owners don't have to. If you're earlier in the process and still deciding what to buy or build for a rental, we're happy to walk through floor plans, price points, and how construction timelines fit an investment schedule. Start the conversation whenever you're ready.

FAQ SECTION

How much does the average short-term rental make in Myrtle Beach?

According to AirDNA (July 2026), the average active Myrtle Beach short-term rental earned $26.1K over the trailing twelve months, booking 53% of available nights at a $280 average daily rate. That figure is gross revenue before host expenses, and it includes cleaning and other guest fees collected from guests. It also blends every listing size together, so a studio and a large single-family home contribute to the same average. Your specific property's performance depends on size, location, condition, and amenities.

Does a short-term rental out-earn a long-term lease in Horry County?

On gross revenue, yes. The $26,100 average short-term figure from AirDNA (July 2026) exceeds the $14,976–$17,196 annual range implied by HUD's 2026 HOME Program rent ceilings for two- and three-bedroom units in Horry County. Net profit is a separate question. Short-term operation carries furnishing, utilities, supplies, turnover cleaning, licensing, and management costs that a long-term lease does not. Neither published figure accounts for those expenses.

Is short-term rental demand growing in Myrtle Beach?

Mixed. According to AirDNA (July 2026), revenue is down 2.3% year over year and occupancy is down 5.3%, while average daily rates are up 8.4% and RevPAR is up 1.2%. Active listings fell 6.0% over the same period. Read together, hosts are charging more per booked night while filling fewer nights, and some supply has left the market. Myrtle Beach scores 56 out of 100 on AirDNA's overall Market Score.

What does it cost to buy a rental property in Myrtle Beach?

The Myrtle Beach condo median sale price was $208,500 in April 2026, down 12.4% year over year, according to CCAR MLS (April 2026). Single-family homes in the same ZIP codes carried a $478,000 median. Condo inventory reached 1,475 units, up 5.8% year over year, with an average of 142 days on market. Condos represented 73.3% of Myrtle Beach sales in 2025, per CCAR MLS (January 2026).

Can I rent out any Myrtle Beach property short-term?

Not necessarily. Permitted rental terms are set by local zoning and, for condos and townhomes, by the regime or HOA governing documents. A property that allows nightly stays and one that requires a minimum lease term are very different investments even at the same price point. Verify both zoning and regime restrictions before purchase, and consult a licensed professional for your specific situation.

How seasonal is the Myrtle Beach short-term rental market?

Myrtle Beach scores 43 out of 100 on AirDNA's seasonality measure (July 2026), which reflects the gap between the year's lowest and highest monthly average revenue. A smaller swing scores higher. With annual occupancy at 53%, roughly half of available nights go unbooked, and those vacancies concentrate outside peak season. Owners planning around a short-term strategy should budget for uneven monthly cash flow rather than an even annual average.