Chalet, a data-first platform for short-term rentals (STR), released its year-end analysis of Airbnb calculator search patterns in 2025, based on tens of thousands of searches across 3,080 cities in all 50 U.S. states. The data reveals that 32.5% of all Airbnb searches on Chalet were concentrated in just three states: Florida, California, and Texas, highlighting the enduring pull of the Sun Belt. This search activity translated into execution, as these three states accounted for 69% of Chalet-assisted closed deals in 2025.
Secondary “drive-to” vacation markets saw higher engagement rates per listing than major cities, with regional destinations targeted over traditional urban hotspots. Sevierville, TN, a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, ranked as the most-searched city on the platform with 1.8% of total searches, outpacing major cities like Austin, TX (1.2%) and San Diego, CA (1.0%). Nearly 70% of the 30 most-searched STR markets were regional or destination-driven markets, and 73% of Chalet-assisted deals closed in regional markets. This trend underscores a shift away from big-city vacation hubs toward mid-sized destinations where traveler demand is strong and competition may be lighter.
Chalet users closed 205% more STR property deals in 2025 than the prior year, indicating that users are converting data analysis into executed transactions. However, while search behavior was widely distributed, actual purchases were more concentrated. Austin, TX led closed deals with just over 9% of transactions, followed by markets like San Diego, CA; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Dallas, TX; Kissimmee, FL; and Myrtle Beach, SC, each representing roughly 6% of closed deals. The gap between broad research and selective execution highlights the importance of detailed ROI modeling and market-level insights.
Interest in regulation-heavy metros like New York City and Los Angeles was negligible, under 0.2% of all searches, underscoring that markets with strict STR rules are being avoided. In contrast, markets with stable, host-friendly policies attracted higher engagement. This pattern highlights the regulatory environment as a critical market filter alongside traditional metrics like occupancy and yield.
“The overwhelming focus on Sun Belt states is both a warning and an opportunity,” said Ashley Durmo, CEO of Chalet. “It shows where momentum is strongest, but also where markets may be overheating. Our goal is to arm users with unbiased data so they can spot the next big market or avoid the next saturated hotspot.” The full 2025 analysis and interactive market dashboard are available on Chalet's website at https://www.getchalet.com.
