Permits decide the deal
Many US cities require a short-term rental permit or business licence, and some cap nights per year for non-owner-occupied units. Check the city code before you price the unit.
United States · USD
Rental arbitrage calculator for the US market
Estimate nightly rate, gross revenue, running costs, net monthly profit and break-even occupancy on any US lease — in USD, free, with no account.
The property
Enter the lease you would be signing and how you expect to run the unit.
Market
Switching market resets the figures to typical US numbers and swaps the currency.
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Market tier
Suburban, secondary city, steady business travel
%
nights
$
%
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The spread
Untitled property · per month
Thin spread
It clears, but a few slow weeks would erase the profit.
Rent vs revenuebreak-even at 60% occupancy
Gross revenue$3,360
Lease obligation$2,000
Est. nightly rate (2.4×)$160
Booked nights (21.0 of 30)7.0 turnovers
Gross revenue$3,360
Rent($2,000)
Platform fees($101)
Cleaning($525)
Other expenses($350)
Net monthly profit$384
Margin on revenue11.4%
Return on rent outlay19.2%
Annualized net$4,610
Working several US deals at once? The Operator plan saves your worksheets and tracks every landlord conversation for $9 a month.
See what's includedRough estimate only. Nightly rate is derived from monthly rent × a market-tier multiplier, not from real comparable listings. All figures in USD.
US rules · US cities differ wildly: many require a short-term rental permit, some cap nights per year, and HOA or building rules can ban subletting outright. Check your city code and your lease.
Running the numbers in the US
HOAs and building rules
An HOA or building bylaw can ban short stays even where the city allows them. Get the rules in writing alongside the landlord's written consent to sublet.
Watch break-even occupancy
US cleaning fees and platform fees eat margin quickly. If the calculator puts break-even above roughly 60% occupancy, a single soft month turns the deal negative.
Common questions
Is rental arbitrage legal in the US?
Generally yes, provided the landlord consents in writing to subletting and you comply with local short-term rental rules. Requirements are set city by city, and HOA or building rules can restrict short stays independently.
How much profit does a US rental arbitrage unit make?
A workable one or two bedroom typically nets a few hundred to around $1,400 a month after rent, platform fees, cleaning and utilities. The figure swings mostly on occupancy, not on nightly rate.
How much does it cost to start?
Deposit and first month's rent, furniture, linens and photography, plus a reserve of two to three months' rent — commonly $8,000 to $15,000 for a small unit.
Estimates only, in USD — not legal, tax or financial advice. US cities differ wildly: many require a short-term rental permit, some cap nights per year, and HOA or building rules can ban subletting outright. Check your city code and your lease.