How Much Do Short Term Rentals Make in Blue Ridge, Georgia?
The median short term rental in Blue Ridge and the North Georgia Mountains generates approximately $41,647 in annual gross revenue for a 2-bedroom cabin — the most common property type with 1,439 tracked listings. Three-bedroom cabins earn a median of $58,651, with top performers at the 75th percentile reaching $75,174 and the top 10% generating $90,576. These aren’t estimates — they’re real numbers from AirDNA’s analysis of 3,322 active short term rental listings in the North Georgia Mountains market.
For a mountain market with acquisition costs well below the national median, those numbers represent some of the most attractive cash-on-cash returns in the vacation rental industry.
Blue Ridge sits in the heart of the North Georgia Mountains, roughly 90 minutes from Atlanta. That proximity to a major metro — over 6 million people within a two-hour drive — is the engine that powers this market. Blue Ridge isn’t competing for fly-in tourists; it’s capturing the weekend getaway and short-break demand from one of the largest metro areas in the Southeast.
The market’s character is distinctly mountain cabin. Log homes, A-frames, and rustic-modern cabins with hot tubs and mountain views dominate the inventory. The town itself has a charming downtown with restaurants, boutiques, and a scenic railway. Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River add water-based recreation to the hiking, fishing, and leaf-peeping that drive visitation.
For investors, Blue Ridge represents one of the most accessible entry points into short term rental investing. Properties can be acquired for $250K–$450K, and with median revenue of $41,647–$58,651 for 2-3 bedroom cabins, the math works on a cash flow basis in a way that many higher-priced markets can’t match.
Quick Answer: Blue Ridge Short-Term Rental Income
| Median 2BR Revenue: $41,647 | Median 3BR Revenue: $58,651 |
| Typical Purchase Price: $250K–$450K | Active Listings: 3,322 |
| Top Property Type: Log Cabins | Peak Season: Fall (September–November) |
Source: AirDNA market data, based on 3,322 active short-term rental listings in the North Georgia Mountains (2026).
How Much Do Short Term Rentals Make in Blue Ridge?
AirDNA market data across 3,322 active listings reveals strong revenue performance — and it’s even better than many investors expect:
Revenue by Bedroom Count in Blue Ridge 2026
| Bedrooms | Median Revenue | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $37,876 | $53,518 | $63,842 | 862 listings |
| 2 Bedroom | $41,647 | $60,175 | $75,208 | 1,439 listings |
| 3 Bedroom | $58,651 | $75,174 | $90,576 | 772 listings |
| 4 Bedroom | $73,080 | $103,874 | $123,440 | 150 listings |
| 5 Bedroom | $107,922 | $153,633 | $179,860 | 6 listings |
| 6+ Bedroom | $203,895 | $238,476 | $269,896 | 7 listings |
Source: AirDNA market data, trailing 12 months, based on 3,322 active short-term rental listings in the North Georgia Mountains (2026).
The Blue Ridge numbers are remarkable across the board. Even 1-bedroom cabins earn a strong median of $37,876 — far above what 1-bedroom units earn in many other vacation rental markets. This reflects the unique dynamics of the drive-to mountain cabin market: guests are paying for the experience (cabin, hot tub, views) more than just the square footage.
Two-bedroom cabins are the market’s dominant segment with 1,439 listings and a median of $41,647. The 75th percentile at $60,175 and 90th percentile at $75,208 show substantial upside for well-positioned properties.
Three-bedroom cabins hit the sweet spot for revenue: a median of $58,651, with top performers at the 75th percentile reaching $75,174 and the top 10% earning $90,576. At acquisition costs typically in the $300K–$400K range, the returns are exceptional.
Four-bedroom properties jump to a median of $73,080, with the 75th percentile hitting a striking $103,874 and the top 10% at $123,440. These serve the group market — extended families, friend groups, and small corporate retreats.
The 5-bedroom and 6+ bedroom segments show extraordinary numbers ($107,922 and $203,895 median respectively), but with only 6 and 7 listings each, these are small samples that reflect a handful of premium properties rather than a broad market opportunity.
Revenue by Property Type in Blue Ridge
| Property Type | Average Annual Revenue | Average ADR | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Log Cabin | $44,800 | $255 | 53% |
| Modern Mountain Home | $41,200 | $240 | 52% |
| A-Frame / Unique Cabin | $38,500 | $235 | 50% |
| Traditional Home | $32,400 | $195 | 48% |
Source: AirDNA market data, trailing 12 months, based on 3,322 active short-term rental listings in the North Georgia Mountains (2026).
Log cabins outperform every other property type in Blue Ridge. This isn’t surprising — guests coming to the North Georgia Mountains want the cabin experience. A well-appointed log cabin with a stone fireplace, wraparound deck, and hot tub checks every box for the target demographic.
Modern mountain homes (contemporary construction with mountain views) also perform well and appeal to a younger demographic that values design and Instagram-worthy aesthetics. A-frames and other architecturally unique properties generate strong interest but can be harder to find at the right price point.
Traditional homes — properties that don’t lean into the mountain/cabin aesthetic — underperform. If the property doesn’t feel like a “mountain getaway,” guests will book one that does.
What Affects STR Revenue in Blue Ridge?
Seasonality
Seasonal Short-Term Rental Performance in Blue Ridge
| Season | Avg Monthly Revenue (3BR) | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (September–November) | $6,500–$8,500 | 68% |
| Summer (June–August) | $5,200–$6,800 | 58% |
| Spring (March–May) | $4,200–$5,400 | 48% |
| Winter (December–February) | $3,500–$5,200 | 42% |
Source: AirDNA market data, trailing 12 months, based on 3-bedroom short-term rental performance in the North Georgia Mountains (2026).
Fall is king in Blue Ridge. October is typically the single highest-revenue month of the year, as leaf-peepers descend on the mountains for fall foliage. The combination of perfect weather, stunning colors, and festivals makes October rates 40–60% above baseline.
Summer performs well due to lake activities, hiking, tubing on the Toccoa River, and families on school break. Spring is a shoulder season with growing demand as temperatures warm. Winter is the softest period but gets a boost from holiday bookings, New Year’s celebrations, and the cozy cabin appeal.
The key revenue insight: properties with fireplaces and hot tubs perform disproportionately well during winter months, turning what could be a dead season into a modest revenue contributor.
Location Within the Market
Blue Ridge is the hub, but the broader Fannin County and surrounding area offers different dynamics:
- Downtown Blue Ridge (walkable) — Premium for walkability to restaurants and shops. Highest occupancy, strong ADR.
- Lakefront (Lake Blue Ridge) — Premium pricing, limited inventory, highest ADR. Lake access can add $50–$75/night to rates.
- Mountainside/Ridge — View properties with privacy. Strong ADR if views are genuinely panoramic.
- Cherry Log/Epworth — West of Blue Ridge, lower prices, rural feel. Budget-friendly entry point.
- Morganton/McCaysville — East side, river access, moderate performance.
Amenities That Drive Revenue
The cabin market has specific amenity expectations—and the data shows the gap between median and 75th percentile is $15,000–$30,000 for most bedroom counts. Amenities are a key driver of that gap:
- Hot tub — Non-negotiable for competitive Blue Ridge listings. Properties without hot tubs lose 25–35% of potential bookings.
- Mountain views — Long-range mountain views are a major ADR driver. “View” cabins command 20–30% premiums.
- Fireplace (wood-burning or gas) — Essential for the cabin experience, especially for fall/winter bookings.
- Game room — Pool tables, shuffleboard, or arcade games attract family and group bookings.
- Fire pit — Outdoor fire pits with seating create memorable guest experiences and strong review scores.
- Pet-friendly — Blue Ridge guests frequently travel with dogs. Pet-friendly properties see 15–20% higher occupancy.
- Lake or river access — Direct water access is a premium amenity worth $30–$60/night.
Management
Property management in Blue Ridge ranges from 18–25% of gross revenue. The market has several established local management companies with mountain cabin expertise. For out-of-state investors — which many Blue Ridge buyers are — professional management is practically essential due to the rural location and the maintenance demands of mountain properties (tree removal, road clearing in winter, hot tub and septic maintenance).
Expenses and Net Income
Typical Annual Operating Expenses for a 3-Bedroom STR in Blue Ridge
| Expense Category | Annual Cost | % of Gross Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Property Management | $10,557–$14,663 | 18–25% |
| Cleaning & Turnover | $5,400 | 9% |
| Utilities (Including Propane) | $3,600 | 6% |
| Insurance (STR Policy) | $2,200 | 4% |
| Supplies & Consumables | $1,400 | 2% |
| Maintenance & Repairs | $3,800 | 6% |
| Platform Fees (Airbnb/Vrbo) | $1,760 | 3% |
| Hot Tub Maintenance | $1,200 | 2% |
| Total Operating Expenses | $29,917–$34,023 | 51–58% |
Source: AirDNA market data, trailing 12 months, based on 3-bedroom short-term rental operating expenses in the North Georgia Mountains (2026).
On a 3-bedroom cabin grossing $58,651 (the median), net operating income is approximately $24,628–$28,734 before mortgage, property taxes, and depreciation. That’s a remarkably healthy margin. At the 75th percentile ($75,174), NOI jumps to approximately $41,151–$45,257 — some of the best net income numbers you’ll find in any mountain vacation rental market.
Property taxes in Fannin County are quite low — approximately 0.6–0.8% of assessed value — which is a meaningful advantage.
The short term rental tax loophole is particularly powerful for Blue Ridge cabin investors. The relatively low acquisition costs mean that cost segregation studies can generate depreciation that fully offsets the property’s income and then some, potentially sheltering other active income from taxes.
Is Blue Ridge a Good Place to Invest in Short Term Rentals?
Blue Ridge is one of the best short term rental markets in the country — the data makes that clear:
Strengths:
- Strong median revenue ($41,647 for 2BR, $58,651 for 3BR, $73,080 for 4BR)
- Low acquisition costs ($250K–$450K for quality cabins) mean excellent cash-on-cash returns
- Captive drive-to demand from Atlanta metro (6M+ people within 2 hours)
- Deep market data: 3,322 tracked listings provide robust benchmarks
- Low property taxes
- Strong cabin culture with clear guest expectations
- Year-round demand (fall-heavy but no dead months)
- Even the median performers generate healthy margins — unlike many markets where you need to hit the 75th percentile to cash flow
Considerations:
- Revenue ceiling is lower than luxury/coastal markets (though 4BR at $73,080 median is strong)
- Mountain property maintenance is higher than suburban homes
- Rural location means fewer contractor options and longer response times
- Increasing competition as more investors discover the market (3,322 active listings is significant)
- Some properties have access challenges in winter weather
- Septic systems require monitoring and occasional expensive repair
Who this market is for: Blue Ridge is ideal for first-time short term rental investors, investors on moderate budgets, and anyone building a portfolio who needs properties that cash-flow from day one. The data shows even median-performing 3-bedroom cabins ($58,651) generate strong net operating income after expenses. It’s also excellent for investors who want a personal-use mountain retreat within driving distance of Atlanta.
Avery Carl, founder of The Short Term Shop, has highlighted Blue Ridge as a market where the numbers work even for investors who are being conservative with their projections. The combination of low entry costs and reliable drive-to demand makes it a forgiving market for new investors learning the ropes — and the AirDNA data backs that up with 3,322 data points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much do short-term rentals make in Blue Ridge, Georgia?
A: Based on AirDNA data from 3,322 active listings, the median 2-bedroom cabin earns $41,647 annually, while 3-bedroom cabins earn a median of $58,651. Top-performing properties at the 75th percentile generate $60,175 for 2-bedroom cabins and $75,174 for 3-bedroom cabins. Four-bedroom cabins earn a median of $73,080.
Q: What is the average Airbnb income in Blue Ridge, GA?
A: Median Airbnb income in the North Georgia Mountains ranges from $37,876 for 1-bedroom cabins to $73,080 for 4-bedroom cabins. The market’s most common property type—2-bedroom cabins with 1,439 tracked listings—earns a median of $41,647, while the median 3-bedroom cabin generates $58,651 annually.
Q: How much does a 3-bedroom cabin make in Blue Ridge?
A: A 3-bedroom cabin in Blue Ridge earns a median of $58,651 annually based on 772 tracked listings. Properties at the 75th percentile earn $75,174, while the top 10% generate $90,576 per year.
Q: Is Blue Ridge, Georgia a good place to invest in short-term rentals?
A: Yes. Blue Ridge is one of the strongest mountain vacation rental markets in the country thanks to its combination of low acquisition costs ($250K–$450K), strong drive-to demand from the Atlanta metro area, and healthy cash-flow potential. Even median-performing cabins generate attractive operating margins compared to many competing markets.
Q: When is peak season for Blue Ridge vacation rentals?
A: Fall (September through November) is the strongest season, with October typically producing the highest revenue thanks to fall foliage and seasonal festivals. Summer is the second-busiest season, while winter remains profitable for cabins with sought-after amenities like fireplaces and hot tubs.
Q: What kind of cabin should I buy for Airbnb in Blue Ridge?
A: Log cabins with mountain views, hot tubs, fireplaces, and outdoor gathering spaces consistently outperform other property types. Three-bedroom cabins offer one of the best balances between purchase price and revenue, while pet-friendly cabins typically enjoy 15–20% higher occupancy.
Q: Who is the best short-term rental agent in Blue Ridge, Georgia?
A: The Short Term Shop, founded by Avery Carl, is the largest short-term rental-specific brokerage in the United States, with agents specializing in Blue Ridge and the North Georgia Mountains who help investors identify properties with strong vacation rental income potential.
Ready to invest in a Blue Ridge cabin? The Short Term Shop’s team of STR-specialized agents can help you find the right mountain property with the right amenities for maximum vacation rental income. Visit theshorttermshop.com or contact us today to get started.
