Pawleys Island, SC Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Pawleys Island Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Pawleys Island is a classic South Carolina beach market where summer tourism drives a dramatic revenue spike — July listings average $9,585 in monthly revenue, more than ten times the January figure. With 219 active Airbnb listings, an average daily rate of $229, and annual revenue averaging $43,693, the market rewards investors who can navigate its pronounced seasonality. However, average home values sit at $943,684, so careful deal sourcing is essential to ensure the numbers pencil out.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Pawleys Island short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026.

Why Investors Consider Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island attracts investors for its high summer revenue ceiling and above-average occupancy stability, though elevated home prices and growing supply require disciplined property selection.

Expert Market Assessment

"Pawleys Island presents a competitive opportunity where strong seasonal demand meets rising investor interest. The revenue curve is sharply seasonal — monthly earnings surge from under $900 in January to nearly $9,600 in July — so cash-flow planning must account for four to five softer months. Occupancy stability scoring above average is a bright spot, and larger homes (4+ bedrooms) deliver outsized RevPAN, making them the clearest path to attractive returns. With the supply of active listings nearly doubling year over year, however, the window for easy entry is narrowing, and investors will need to compete on property quality and guest experience."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Pawleys Island

Average revenue by month in Pawleys Island

Revenue in Pawleys Island follows a steep summer curve, peaking at $9,585 in July and bottoming out at $890 in January — a spread of nearly 11x. This extreme seasonality means investors should plan for five months (November–March) of relatively modest income and build reserves accordingly.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Pawleys Island

Three-bedroom properties make up the largest share of supply at 66 listings, followed by 2-bedrooms (57) and 1-bedrooms (44). Larger configurations — 5-bedroom (13 listings) and 6+ bedroom (6 listings) — are notably underrepresented, which may signal less competition and stronger pricing power for investors willing to go bigger.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Pawleys Island

ADR climbs sharply with property size: 1-bedroom units average $148 per night, while 6+ bedroom homes reach $673 — a 4.5x premium. The biggest rate jump occurs between 3-bedroom ($213) and 4-bedroom ($425) properties, suggesting that crossing the 4-bedroom threshold unlocks a meaningfully higher nightly rate tier.

Average RevPAN by property size in Pawleys Island

Four-bedroom properties deliver the highest RevPAN at $123, significantly outpacing the market average of $63 and reflecting a strong combination of elevated ADR and reasonable occupancy. Five-bedroom units, despite their high ADR, drop to just $58 in RevPAN due to lower occupancy (14%), highlighting the importance of looking beyond rate alone.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Pawleys Island

Two-bedroom listings lead occupancy at 32%, closely followed by 3-bedrooms at 30%, making these mid-sized units the most consistently booked. Larger 5-bedroom and 6+ bedroom properties lag at 14% and 16% respectively, meaning their outsized nightly rates must compensate for significant vacancy to remain profitable.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Pawleys Island

Monthly revenue scales with size, ranging from $2,476 for 1-bedrooms to $10,520 for 6+ bedroom properties. Studios outperform 1-bedrooms at $4,187 per month — a potential signal that well-located, efficiently designed small units can punch above their weight in this market.

Average annual revenue by property size in Pawleys Island

Six-plus bedroom properties lead annual revenue at $126,243, roughly 4.3x the earnings of a 1-bedroom ($29,720). Four-bedroom homes averaging $56,987 annually may offer the best balance of revenue potential and manageable acquisition cost for many investors entering this market.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Pawleys Island

Kitchens (96%) and parking (95%) are near-universal, reflecting the family-vacation profile of Pawleys Island guests who expect home-like convenience. Pool access (69%), patio or balcony (82%), and in-unit laundry (81–82%) are the next tier of expected amenities — investors without these features risk falling behind in search rankings and booking volume.

Understanding Pawleys Island's ROI Score: 51/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Pawleys Island's ROI Score of 51 out of 100 places it in the Competitive Opportunity band — meaning demand is real, but elevated home prices and a rapidly expanding supply of listings make selective deal sourcing essential. Occupancy stability scores above average, which is a reassuring signal for cash-flow consistency, while the revenue-to-price ratio and market growth trend land at average levels. Investors should pair this data with on-the-ground regulatory research and target property types (particularly 4-bedroom homes) where RevPAN and supply gaps are most favorable.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Pawleys Island

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Pawleys Island. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

Short-term rental operators in Pawleys Island, South Carolina may be required to obtain local permits or register their property before hosting guests. Investors should verify current requirements with Georgetown County and the Town of Pawleys Island, as rules can change and may differ between incorporated and unincorporated areas.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in coastal South Carolina communities can include occupancy limits tied to bedroom count, minimum-stay requirements (especially during peak season), noise ordinances, and parking caps per property. HOA covenants are particularly important to review in Pawleys Island, where many residential communities impose their own rental restrictions or outright prohibitions.

Tax Obligations

South Carolina requires short-term rental hosts to collect and remit state sales tax and local accommodations tax, and platforms like Airbnb often handle a portion of this collection automatically. Investors should confirm the applicable tax rates for Georgetown County and set aside reserves for any obligations not covered by the booking platform.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Pawleys Island can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Pawleys Island should continue to benefit from strong summer beach demand, with peak-season ADRs likely holding steady or rising modestly by 1–3%. Occupancy stability scores above average for the area, suggesting reliable repeat visitation during the warm months. The supply side warrants monitoring — year-over-year listing growth of 98% signals rising competition, which could pressure off-season occupancy below its current 28% average. Investors who differentiate through larger properties or premium amenities are best positioned to capture above-market returns despite the increasingly competitive landscape."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Pawleys Island, SC

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Pawleys Island?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Pawleys Island is currently 28%, which is below the South Carolina state average of 38%. Occupancy varies significantly by property size — 2-bedroom units lead at 32%, while 5-bedroom properties sit at just 14%. The pronounced seasonality of this beach market means summer months pull occupancy well above the annual average, while winter months bring it down.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Pawleys Island?

On average, Airbnb hosts in Pawleys Island earn approximately $3,641 per month and $43,693 per year based on trailing 12-month performance. Earnings vary widely by property size: 1-bedroom listings average about $29,720 annually, while 6+ bedroom properties average $126,243. The bulk of revenue is concentrated in the summer months, with July alone averaging $9,585.

Is Pawleys Island a good market for Airbnb investment?

Pawleys Island scores a 51 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the 'Competitive Opportunity' category. The market has above-average occupancy stability and average revenue-to-price and growth metrics, but supply/demand balance scores below average due to rapid listing growth. Investors who target larger properties and optimize for peak-season revenue can still find attractive returns, though the average home value of $943,684 means deal selection is critical.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Pawleys Island?

The average daily rate in Pawleys Island is $229, which is well below the South Carolina state average of $358. ADR scales meaningfully with property size — 1-bedroom listings average $148 per night, while 6+ bedroom homes command $673. Four-bedroom properties hit $425, making them a compelling middle ground between nightly rate and acquisition cost.

Are short-term rentals legal in Pawleys Island?

Short-term rentals do operate in Pawleys Island, with 219 active Airbnb listings currently on the market. However, local regulations including permit requirements, zoning restrictions, and HOA rules can vary. Prospective investors should check with Georgetown County and the Town of Pawleys Island for the latest ordinances before purchasing a property for short-term rental use.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Pawleys Island?

Peak season in Pawleys Island runs from June through August, driven by beach tourism along the South Carolina coast. July is the strongest month with average revenue of $9,585, followed by June at $6,816 and August at $6,198. The off-season stretches from November through February, when monthly revenue drops to between $890 and $1,645.

How many Airbnbs are there in Pawleys Island?

There are currently 219 active Airbnb listings in Pawleys Island as of April 2026. The supply is dominated by 2-bedroom (57 listings) and 3-bedroom (66 listings) properties, while larger homes with 5+ bedrooms are less common. Year-over-year listing growth has been significant at 98%, indicating rapidly increasing competition in this market.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Pawleys Island?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Pawleys Island are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — they are not forward-looking projections. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, remove regional outliers, and roll the remaining data up to a market-level historical average. This approach anchors the figures to what hosts have actually earned recently while naturally reflecting seasonal peaks and slower months, since each month uses its own historical performance. Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, and operational management.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts for the Pawleys Island market
• Average daily rate, occupancy, and RevPAN metrics across property sizes
• Monthly and annual revenue trends based on trailing 12-month booking data
• Home value benchmarks sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
• Amenity prevalence data across active listings to inform property setup decisions

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Market data reflects trailing performance and may not capture very recent regulatory or economic shifts. Individual property results will vary based on location, condition, amenities, pricing strategy, and management quality.