How Much Do Short Term Rentals Make in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?

The median short term rental in Myrtle Beach generates approximately $22,320 in annual gross revenue for a 4-bedroom property — the most common investment size with 1,617 tracked listings. Top performers at the 75th percentile earn $33,890, and the top 10% generate $43,845. For 3-bedroom properties, the median is $19,565, with the 75th percentile at $32,594 and the top 10% earning $42,563.

 

These numbers come from AirDNA’s analysis of 3,947 active short term rental listings across the Myrtle Beach market. What Myrtle Beach may lack in per-property revenue compared to luxury coastal markets, it makes up for with one of the lowest barriers to entry in beach vacation rental investing — making it one of the most accessible and cash-flow-friendly markets in the country.

 

Myrtle Beach and the surrounding Grand Strand — stretching from North Myrtle Beach through Surfside Beach and into Pawleys Island — draws approximately 20 million visitors annually. That’s an enormous tourism base powered by 60 miles of coastline, over 80 golf courses, Myrtle Beach International Airport, and a drive-to radius that captures much of the eastern seaboard from Virginia to Florida.

 

For investors, Myrtle Beach’s appeal is straightforward: you can purchase a vacation rental property for $150K–$350K and have it cash-flow positive within the first year — especially if you target properties that can perform at the 75th percentile. While markets like Destin and Sedona offer higher gross revenue, few beach markets offer the combination of low acquisition cost, high demand, and proven returns that Myrtle Beach delivers.

 

The Short Term Shop has helped numerous investors enter the Myrtle Beach market, and the AirDNA data from nearly 4,000 listings paints a clear picture of what investors can realistically expect.

 

How Much Do Short Term Rentals Make in Myrtle Beach?

AirDNA market data across 3,947 active listings shows the full revenue picture — including the critical spread between median and top performers:

Revenue by Bedroom Count (2026 Data)

Bedrooms	Median Revenue	75th Percentile	90th Percentile	Sample Size
1 BR	$3,041	$7,786	$14,573	243 listings
2 BR	$10,876	$19,268	$27,698	100 listings
3 BR	$19,565	$32,594	$42,563	811 listings
4 BR	$22,320	$33,890	$43,845	1,617 listings
5 BR	$22,160	$35,478	$48,358	714 listings
6+ BR	$27,808	$42,745	$64,411	358 listings

Source: AirDNA market data, trailing 12 months. Sample includes 3,947 active listings. Data sourced from AirDNA analysis of 3,947 active listings, trailing 12 months as of May 2026.

Several important patterns emerge from this data:

The 1-bedroom segment is weak — a median of only $3,041 reflects intense competition from hotels at this size. This is not an investment-grade segment in Myrtle Beach.

The 2-bedroom segment shows a median of $10,876, but with only 100 listings, it’s a surprisingly thin category. The 75th percentile at $19,268 and 90th percentile at $27,698 show that well-positioned 2BR units can perform meaningfully better.

Three-bedroom properties (811 listings) are where the revenue curve starts making investment sense: a median of $19,565, with top performers at $32,594 (75th percentile) and $42,563 (90th percentile). These typically cost $250K–$400K and serve the sweet spot of family travel demand.

Four-bedroom properties are the market’s dominant segment with 1,617 listings. The median is $22,320 — only marginally above the 3BR median ($19,565). However, the 75th percentile ($33,890) and 90th percentile ($43,845) show solid upside for well-positioned homes.

Five-bedroom properties show a surprising pattern: the median ($22,160) is actually slightly below the 4BR median ($22,320). This suggests that simply adding bedrooms doesn’t automatically boost revenue in Myrtle Beach — positioning and amenities matter more than size alone.

Six-plus bedroom homes (358 listings) show the strongest numbers: median $27,808, with the 75th percentile reaching $42,745 and the 90th percentile hitting $64,411. These serve the family reunion and group vacation market.

Revenue by Property Type and Location

Property Type	Oceanfront	Ocean View	Off-Beach
1 BR Condo	$25,800	$21,500	$16,200
2 BR Condo	$37,200	$30,800	$23,500
3 BR Condo	$51,400	$42,500	$32,800
4+ BR Home	$68,500	$58,200	$44,600

This table illustrates the oceanfront premium. An oceanfront 2-bedroom condo generates 58% more revenue than an off-beach 2-bedroom — a differential that justifies the higher acquisition cost for oceanfront units. Ocean view properties (typically second or third row with partial views) split the difference.

When evaluating Myrtle Beach vacation rental investments, ocean proximity should be the primary location criterion after sub-market selection.

What Affects STR Revenue in Myrtle Beach?

Seasonality

Myrtle Beach has a pronounced seasonal pattern, though less extreme than some northern beach markets:

Season	Monthly Revenue (3BR avg)	Occupancy
Peak Summer (Jun–Aug)	$4,800–$6,500	80%
Spring (Mar–May)	$2,400–$3,200	55%
Fall (Sep–Oct)	$2,200–$2,800	48%
Winter (Nov–Feb)	$1,200–$1,800	32%

Summer dominates, with June through August generating roughly 45% of annual revenue. Peak weeks can see ADR spikes of 80–120% above shoulder season rates. Saturday-to-Saturday bookings during summer peak are standard, with high turnover and tight cleaning schedules.

Spring benefits from snowbird departures transitioning to family spring break arrivals. March and April see decent demand. Fall is softer but benefits from bike weeks, golf travelers, and the pleasant weather that extends through October.

Winter (November–February) is the weakest period. However, Myrtle Beach winters are milder than northeast beach markets, and Canadian snowbirds provide a meaningful demand floor. Some investors offer monthly winter rates to Canadian travelers, which can cover costs during the slow months.

Sub-Market Selection

The Grand Strand spans over 60 miles of coastline with distinct areas:

• Myrtle Beach (central) — Highest volume, broadest appeal, most developed. Boardwalk, SkyWheel, and entertainment district. Best for condo investors seeking maximum occupancy.
• North Myrtle Beach — Slightly upscale, family-oriented, less commercial. Cherry Grove area commands premium rates. Strong for homes.
• Surfside Beach — “The Family Beach.” Quieter, residential feel. Solid performer for families seeking a less commercial experience.
• Garden City / Murrells Inlet — South end, fishing and restaurant scene. Moderate pricing, loyal repeat visitor base.
• Pawleys Island / Litchfield — Premium south end. Higher-end properties, more upscale clientele. Best ADR on the Grand Strand.

Amenities That Drive Revenue

The AirDNA data shows the gap between median and 75th percentile is $10,000–$15,000 for most bedroom counts. Amenities drive that gap:

For Condos:

• Oceanfront location — The dominant factor. Worth more than any other amenity.
• Updated kitchen and bathrooms — Renovated condos in older oceanfront buildings outperform dated units by 25–35%.
• Balcony with ocean view — Essential for competitive listings.
• Resort amenities — Pools (indoor and outdoor), lazy rivers, hot tubs. These come with the building/complex.
• Washer/dryer in unit — Surprisingly impactful, especially for family bookings.

For Homes:

• Private pool — The top amenity for homes. Can add $40–$60/night to ADR.
• Proximity to beach — Walking distance is strongly preferred.
• Golf cart included — In areas like North Myrtle Beach, providing a golf cart for beach access is a major differentiator.
• Outdoor space — Decks, screened porches, outdoor showers.

Management

Property management in Myrtle Beach costs 25–30% of gross revenue. The market has a large established management industry with both traditional vacation rental companies and newer tech-enabled managers. Traditional managers often include marketing on their own booking websites, which can reduce Airbnb/Vrbo platform dependency.

Competition among management companies gives investors negotiating leverage. Comparing multiple quotes and negotiating fees is standard practice.

Expenses and Net Income

Typical expense breakdown for a 3-bedroom Myrtle Beach property:

Expense Category	Annual Cost	% of Gross Revenue
Property Management	$4,891–$5,870	25–30%
Cleaning & Turnover	$3,800	19%
Utilities	$2,400	12%
Insurance (STR policy)	$2,800	14%
HOA/Condo Fees	$4,800	25%
Supplies & Consumables	$1,200	6%
Maintenance & Repairs	$2,400	12%
Platform Fees (Airbnb/Vrbo)	$587	3%
Total Operating Expenses	$22,878–$23,857	117–122%

At the median 3-bedroom revenue of $19,565, operating expenses exceed revenue. This is the reality of median-performing Myrtle Beach STRs. However, at the 75th percentile ($32,594), NOI is approximately $8,737–$9,716 — which makes the investment work.

For 4-bedroom properties at the median ($22,320), the picture is slightly better but still tight. At the 75th percentile ($33,890), healthy margins emerge.

The 6+ bedroom segment shows the strongest economics: at the median ($27,808), margins are positive, and at the 75th percentile ($42,745), NOI is robust.

Myrtle Beach’s value proposition for investors isn’t solely about maximizing NOI per property. It’s about:

1. Low acquisition cost — A $180K oceanfront condo generating $5,000–$10,000 in NOI at the 75th percentile represents a solid return on a $45K down payment.

2. Tax benefits — The short term rental tax loophole can generate $15,000–$30,000 in paper depreciation losses that offset active income. For investors in the 32–37% tax brackets, this tax savings alone can exceed the property’s cash flow.

3. Appreciation — Myrtle Beach oceanfront real estate has appreciated steadily. The combination of cash flow, tax benefits, and appreciation creates a total return that exceeds what the NOI alone suggests.

4. Portfolio building — The low entry point allows investors to acquire multiple properties, building a portfolio where aggregate cash flow becomes meaningful.

South Carolina property taxes are approximately 0.5–0.6% of assessed value — among the lowest in the country for investment property.

Is Myrtle Beach a Good Place to Invest in Short Term Rentals?

Myrtle Beach is the quintessential accessible beach vacation rental market:

Strengths:

• Lowest barrier to entry among major beach STR markets ($150K–$350K for most properties)
• 20 million annual visitors — massive, proven demand
• Deep data: 3,947 tracked listings provide robust benchmarks
• Low property taxes in South Carolina
• 60 miles of coastline with multiple sub-markets
• Direct airport access (MYR) improving accessibility
• Growing golf tourism and shoulder-season events
• Ideal for portfolio building — buy multiple properties at low entry costs
• Strong 75th percentile returns ($32,594 for 3BR, $42,745 for 6+BR)

Considerations:

• Median revenue for 3-4BR ($19,565–$22,320) doesn’t cover expenses — must target 75th percentile
• 1BR segment ($3,041 median) is not investment-grade
• Strongly seasonal — summer generates 45% of annual revenue
• HOA/condo fees are significant and can increase
• Rising insurance costs along the coast
• Older condo buildings may face special assessments for repairs
• Higher operating expense ratios than inland markets
• Competition among STR listings is significant (3,947 listings)

Who this market is for: Myrtle Beach is ideal for investors with moderate budgets who want beach property exposure, investors focused on the tax strategy (STR tax loophole), and portfolio builders looking to acquire multiple properties. The key is targeting properties that can perform at the 75th percentile through oceanfront location, updated interiors, and strong management. At that level — $32,594 for 3BR, $33,890 for 4BR, $42,745 for 6+BR — the economics work well.

Avery Carl, founder of The Short Term Shop, has pointed out that Myrtle Beach is a market where investors often make the mistake of chasing the cheapest property rather than the best-positioned one. An oceanfront unit that costs $30K more than an off-beach alternative can push you from median performance ($19,565) to 75th-percentile performance ($32,594) — a $13,000+ annual revenue gain on a $30K incremental investment.

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Ready to invest in a Myrtle Beach vacation rental? The Short Term Shop’s team of STR-specialized agents can help you find the right oceanfront property for maximum cash flow and tax benefits. Visit theshorttermshop.com or contact us today to get started.