Wilmington, NC Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Wilmington Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Wilmington, NC presents an attractive short-term rental opportunity with 790 active Airbnb listings generating an average annual revenue of $29,887 per property. The market's coastal appeal drives strong summer demand, with July revenue reaching $4,827 — nearly six times the January low of $853. With an average daily rate of $166 (below the $262 state average) and average home values around $685,000, Wilmington offers accessible entry pricing for investors targeting a beach-adjacent market with proven seasonal upside.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Wilmington 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 Wilmington

Wilmington's blend of coastal tourism, affordable nightly rates relative to the state, and pronounced summer revenue peaks makes it an appealing market for investors seeking seasonal cash flow with year-round baseline income.

Expert Market Assessment

"Wilmington earns an ROI score of 56 out of 100, placing it in the "Attractive Opportunity" tier — a market where revenue and demand show meaningful potential without being overheated. Seasonality is the defining characteristic here: the June-through-August corridor delivers the bulk of annual income, with July alone generating nearly $4,827 in average revenue. Winter months require careful budgeting, as January and February dip below $1,000. Investors who pair strong summer performance with strategic pricing during shoulder months can build a viable year-round operation, though this market rewards those who plan for its cyclical rhythm."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Wilmington

Average revenue by month in Wilmington

Wilmington's revenue cycle is heavily seasonal, peaking in July at $4,827 and bottoming out in January at just $853 — a nearly 6x spread that underscores the importance of summer tourism to STR profitability. The May-through-August stretch accounts for the lion's share of annual income, while October ($2,519) offers a notable secondary bump likely tied to fall travel.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Wilmington

One-bedroom units dominate supply with 286 listings (36% of the market), followed by 2-bedrooms at 219 and 3-bedrooms at 184. Larger properties are scarce — only 43 four-bedroom and 20 five-bedroom listings exist — which may represent an underserved segment given that these sizes generate substantially higher revenue.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Wilmington

ADR climbs steeply with property size, from $116 for 1-bedrooms to $351 for 5-bedrooms and a commanding $773 for 6+ bedroom homes. The jump from 3-bedrooms ($196) to 4-bedrooms ($258) represents a meaningful pricing tier that investors can target for stronger nightly returns without entering the limited 5+ bedroom category.

Average RevPAN by property size in Wilmington

Five-bedroom properties deliver the strongest RevPAN at $127, well ahead of 4-bedrooms at $75 and 3-bedrooms at $61. Interestingly, 6+ bedroom homes drop to $92 in RevPAN despite their high ADR, likely reflecting their low 12% occupancy — suggesting the sweet spot for revenue efficiency is the 4-to-5 bedroom range.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Wilmington

Occupancy rates cluster tightly between 29% and 36% for most property sizes, with 5-bedroom homes leading at 36% and 4-bedrooms slightly lagging at 29%. The outlier is 6+ bedroom properties at just 12% occupancy, indicating that the largest homes struggle to fill consistently despite commanding premium nightly rates.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Wilmington

Monthly revenue scales reliably with size, from $1,502 for studios up to $5,914 for 6+ bedroom properties. The most significant revenue jump occurs between 3-bedrooms ($2,875/month) and 4-bedrooms ($3,923/month), a $1,048 monthly increase that makes 4-bedroom homes a compelling midpoint for investors balancing acquisition cost against income potential.

Average annual revenue by property size in Wilmington

Five-bedroom properties generate $58,643 annually while 6+ bedrooms lead at $70,968, though the latter's low occupancy adds income volatility risk. For investors seeking reliable returns, 4-bedroom homes at $47,081/year and 2-bedrooms at $35,690/year offer strong revenue relative to their likely acquisition costs and more consistent demand.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Wilmington

Parking (96%), self check-in (92%), and a kitchen (92%) are virtually table-stakes amenities in Wilmington, reflecting guest expectations for convenience and independence. Outdoor-oriented features like patios (67%), outdoor furniture (63%), and backyards (55%) are also prevalent, signaling that guests value coastal outdoor living — investors without these features may face a competitive disadvantage.

Understanding Wilmington's ROI Score: 56/100

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

Wilmington's ROI score of 56 out of 100 places it in the "Attractive Opportunity" band, reflecting average performance across all four evaluation factors: revenue-to-price ratio, occupancy stability, market growth trend, and supply/demand balance. None of these factors are flagged as particularly weak, but none stand out as exceptional either — this is a balanced market rather than a breakout performer. Investors should pair this score with local regulatory research and property-level analysis to identify specific opportunities that outperform the market average.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Wilmington

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

Permit Requirements

The City of Wilmington and New Hanover County in North Carolina may require short-term rental operators to obtain permits or register their properties before listing. Investors should verify current permit requirements directly with the City of Wilmington's planning and development office, as regulations can change frequently.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions that may apply to STRs in Wilmington include occupancy limits based on bedroom count, minimum stay requirements, noise ordinances, parking provisions for guests, and potential caps on the number of permits issued in certain zones. HOA rules in specific neighborhoods or condo developments may add additional layers of restriction that could limit or prohibit short-term rentals entirely.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental operators in North Carolina are generally subject to state and local occupancy taxes, as well as applicable sales tax on rental income. Many booking platforms like Airbnb collect and remit some of these taxes on behalf of hosts, but operators should confirm their full tax obligations with local authorities and a qualified tax advisor.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Wilmington's STR market is expected to maintain steady demand supported by its coastal tourism draw and growing population. Active listing counts grew 129% year-over-year, which suggests the market is rapidly expanding — investors should monitor whether rising supply begins to pressure occupancy rates, currently at 32%. ADR could see modest 2–4% increases during peak summer months as demand holds, though shoulder and winter seasons may remain soft. Investors entering now should plan cash reserves for the quieter January–February period while capitalizing on the robust June–August window."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Wilmington, NC

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Wilmington?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Wilmington is currently 32%, which sits just below the North Carolina state average of 34%. Occupancy varies by property size, with 5-bedroom properties leading at 36% while 6+ bedroom listings trail at 12%. The moderate occupancy rate reflects Wilmington's seasonal demand patterns, where summer months drive significantly higher booking activity than winter.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Wilmington?

Airbnb hosts in Wilmington earn an average of $2,490 per month, translating to approximately $29,887 annually based on trailing 12-month booking data. Earnings vary considerably by property size — studios average around $1,502/month while 5-bedroom homes bring in roughly $4,886/month and 6+ bedroom properties top the market at $5,914/month. Summer months are the strongest earning period, with July revenue averaging $4,827.

Is Wilmington a good market for Airbnb investment?

Wilmington scores 56 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the "Attractive Opportunity" category. The market offers a healthy balance of demand and revenue relative to average home values of $684,987. Key strengths include strong seasonal tourism demand, competitive daily rates, and clear revenue scaling for larger properties. Investors should account for pronounced seasonality, with winter months generating significantly less income than the June–August peak.

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

The average daily rate for Airbnb listings in Wilmington is $166, which is notably below the North Carolina state average of $262. ADR scales substantially with property size: studios and 1-bedroom units average $116–$119 per night, while 5-bedroom properties command $351 and 6+ bedroom homes can reach $773 per night. This pricing structure means larger properties capture a significant nightly premium.

Are short-term rentals legal in Wilmington?

Short-term rentals do operate in Wilmington, NC, with approximately 790 active Airbnb listings currently in the market. However, local regulations regarding permits, zoning, and operational requirements can vary and may change over time. Investors should consult the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County planning departments directly to confirm current rules, permit requirements, and any restrictions that may apply to their specific property location.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Wilmington?

Peak season in Wilmington runs from June through August, with July being the single strongest month at $4,827 in average revenue. June ($3,994) and August ($4,035) are also high-performing months. The shoulder months of May ($3,069) and October ($2,519) offer decent returns as well. The slowest months are January ($853) and February ($978), creating a roughly 5.7x spread between peak and off-peak revenue.

How many Airbnbs are there in Wilmington?

There are currently 790 active Airbnb listings in Wilmington as of April 2026. The supply is dominated by 1-bedroom units (286 listings) and 2-bedroom properties (219 listings), followed by 3-bedroom homes (184 listings). Larger properties with 4+ bedrooms are less common, with only 68 combined listings — which may represent an opportunity for investors targeting the higher-revenue segments of the market.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Wilmington?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Wilmington are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — not a forward-looking projection. Rabbu averages each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, drops regional outliers, and rolls the remainder up to a market-level historical average. This approach anchors the figures to what hosts have actually earned recently rather than to forecasts, while still naturally reflecting seasonal peaks and slower months because 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 Wilmington market
• Average daily rate, occupancy, and RevPAN trends across property sizes
• Monthly and annual revenue metrics based on trailing 12-month booking data
• Home value data sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
• Amenity prevalence data across active listings to benchmark guest expectations

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. Data reflects trailing 12-month historical averages and market conditions may have shifted since the most recent update. Local regulations, permit requirements, and tax obligations vary and should be independently verified before making an investment decision.