Ask people where they’re heading this summer, and you’ll likely find some familiar big-name tourist spots. However, Bankrate’s 2025 Vacation Rental Study shows that there is plenty of big demand in smaller spots, too. The study analyzed the top 50 in-demand vacation rental markets in the country to determine where homeowners increase short-term rental rates the most when warm weather rolls around. Property owners in some surprising places may be able to cash in on the country’s appetite for seasonal getaways.
These are the top five housing markets that experience the biggest growth in average rental rates during the spring and summer months — if you own a home in one of these areas, seasonal rental income might be able to help the sun shine on your bottom line.
1. Augusta, GA
- Maximum average daily rate: $541
- Minimum average daily rate: $194
- High season markup: 178%
Augusta attracts plenty of tourism in the spring, when golf enthusiasts descend on the city for the chance to see the next Masters champion don a green jacket. However, the hometown of soul legend James Brown has so much more to offer for families in search of fun. Travelers can kayak down the Savannah River, stroll the RiverWalk and catch live music at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater. Plus, the city hosts a number of big summertime events, including the Augusta Pride Festival, a Juneteenth Festival and a huge 4th of July celebration.
2. Long Island, NY
- Maximum average daily rate: $785
- Minimum average daily rate: $362
- High season markup: 117%
From Freeport to Montauk, you’ll find a wide range of charming towns on Long Island. While each has its own vibe, they all share one common ingredient: They’re not New York City. Many city-dwellers escape the urban jungle to stroll through quaint downtowns, enjoy beaches and nightlife in the Hamptons, and raise a toast to the good life at North Fork wine country’s 60-plus vineyards.
A lot of rental owners here get more than just a three- or four-night stay, too. Cynthia Barrett, a Bridgehampton-based real estate broker with Brown Harris Stevens, says that while short-term sites like Airbnb and VRBO have a presence here, it’s more common to rent out a home for at least a month. “Homeowners will capitalize on the summer season by renting out their house and downsizing to a smaller home,” Barrett says. “People command a lot of money for rentals here. Some treat it like a staycation — they move close by to a smaller place and get a break from their usual routine.”
3. Albany/Saratoga Springs, NY
- Maximum average daily rate: $439
- Minimum average daily rate: $224
- High season markup: 96%
New York vacationers aren’t just chasing the ocean wind; many of them are equally happy with the calming breeze coming off Saratoga Lake. Saratoga Springs, just north of the capital city of Albany, was recently named one of the best small college towns in the country by USA Today (it’s home to both Skidmore College and Empire State University)…