What Are the Best Places to Invest in Airbnb in India?

Source: AirROI Reviewed by Jun Zhou , Founder @ AirROI
Updated:

The short-term rental market in India spans 100 cities tracked in AirROI's 2026 dataset, ranging from mature urban markets with thousands of active listings to emerging destinations where early operators still have pricing leverage. Supply growth, regulation, and seasonal demand vary significantly across the region — making market selection one of the highest-leverage decisions an Airbnb investor can make.

This page ranks the best Airbnb markets in India across four dimensions: market depth (active listings), revenue, nightly rate (ADR), and occupancy rate. Bengaluru, Karnataka leads by market size with 3,282 active listings and $233/month revenue. Across all ranked markets, average occupancy is 26.8% with $319/month in average revenue and $65/night ADR. 82 of 100 markets carry a low regulation profile — a key consideration for investors evaluating compliance costs and time-to-market.

Rankings based on AirROI's analysis of 20,000,000+ short-term rental listings across revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation. See ranking methodology.

Top Airbnb Markets in India by Active Listings

Active listing count is the most direct measure of a market's depth, maturity, and investor confidence. Cities with the most Airbnb listings in India attract the highest volume of travelers and offer the most reliable benchmarking data for pricing and revenue projections. Bengaluru, Karnataka leads with 3,282 active short-term rental listings and $233/month in average revenue.

#MarketActive Listings (TTM)Revenue/moADROccupancyRegulation
1Bengaluru, Karnataka3,282$233$4029.8%Low
2Mumbai, Maharashtra3,047$470$7133.5%Low
3New Delhi, Delhi2,688$315$5429.7%Low
4Hyderabad, Telangana2,006$206$4427.7%Low
5Gurugram, Haryana1,841$209$5923.0%Low
6Bangalore Urban, Karnataka1,462$166$4132.2%Low
7Chennai, Tamil Nadu1,349$303$5431.1%Low
8Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh1,334$194$4526.9%Low
9Candolim, Goa1,188$521$8232.8%High
10Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan1,074$259$6023.0%Low
11Pune, Maharashtra984$223$4228.3%Low
12Kolkata, West Bengal975$245$3832.9%Low
13Jaipur, Rajasthan970$190$5724.2%Low
14Dehradun, Uttarakhand922$170$4722.2%Low
15Udaipur, Rajasthan847$306$8423.7%Low
16Guwahati, Assam816$97$2623.2%Low
17Puducherry, Puducherry780$334$6426.6%Low
18Calangute, Goa778$531$8432.0%Moderate
19Rishikesh, Uttarakhand703$209$5722.9%Low
20Pune City, Maharashtra679$128$3528.4%Low
21Lonavala, Maharashtra670$747$19020.5%Low
22Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala616$185$4227.6%Low
23Arpora, Goa548$622$9332.0%Moderate
24Noida, Uttar Pradesh538$122$4722.6%Low
25Kochi, Kerala526$226$4929.9%Low
26Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh517$178$4324.3%Low
27Delhi, Delhi504$194$4826.8%Low
28Anjuna, Goa431$808$12331.1%Moderate
29Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu428$349$9521.5%Low
30Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh411$145$5222.3%Low
31Dadri, Uttar Pradesh397$225$4726.4%Low
32Mysuru, Karnataka395$192$4024.3%Low
33Ernakulam, Kerala395$324$5430.4%Low
34Assagao, Goa381$1,243$18932.9%Moderate
35Indore, Madhya Pradesh370$131$3822.3%Low
36Shimla, Himachal Pradesh366$295$8920.8%Low
37Manali, Himachal Pradesh363$233$6723.3%Low
38Puri, Odisha362$229$3831.4%Low
39Siolim, Goa348$533$7737.7%Low
40Varkala, Kerala328$394$7129.1%Low
41Gurugram District, Haryana323$271$7523.2%Low
42Madikeri, Karnataka316$250$6220.7%Low
43Shillong, Meghalaya316$250$4728.2%Low
44Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh295$157$3524.5%Low
45Nashik, Maharashtra293$290$8022.0%Low
46Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh291$108$3123.0%Low
47Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab287$164$4125.3%Low
48Jodhpur, Rajasthan279$190$5623.6%Low
49Vagator, Goa278$984$14330.9%Moderate
50Baga, Goa277$718$11030.4%High
51Badem, Goa268$1,182$17529.8%High
52Morjim, Goa267$388$7729.0%Moderate
53Benaulim, Goa266$551$6936.8%Moderate
54Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh265$185$5919.7%Low
55Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir263$205$8021.5%Low
56Darjeeling, West Bengal261$193$4126.4%Low
57Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh255$159$3528.0%Low
58Panaji, Goa252$374$6829.6%High
59Mussoorie, Uttarakhand252$507$11825.0%Low
60Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh251$218$5425.2%Low
61Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh245$170$4624.2%Low
62Thane, Maharashtra239$266$4931.9%Low
63Agra, Uttar Pradesh234$138$4218.7%Low
64Mandrem, Goa230$299$6431.2%Low
65Dispur, Assam229$104$2520.4%Low
66Panchgani, Maharashtra229$513$14020.2%Low
67Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha229$150$3626.3%Low
68Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh227$114$3424.5%Low
69Amritsar, Punjab227$177$4723.0%Low
70Zirakpur, Punjab224$101$3521.6%Low
71Alappuzha, Kerala223$246$6623.0%Low
72Vythiri, Kerala222$376$8519.1%Low
73Mysore, Karnataka221$154$4827.1%Low
74Gangtok, Sikkim209$204$4524.6%Low
75Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra198$250$5429.0%Low
76Ahmedabad, Gujarat194$299$6131.0%Low
77Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu193$457$9720.1%Low
78Colva, Goa191$571$7434.3%Moderate
79Canacona, Goa190$402$6638.9%Low
80Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu179$129$3128.9%Low
81Arambol, Goa178$158$4827.8%Moderate
82New Town, West Bengal176$216$5923.6%Low
83Nagpur, Maharashtra174$166$3527.1%Low
84Kozhikode, Kerala172$253$5825.9%Low
85Bidhannagar, West Bengal172$214$3826.5%Low
86Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh169$117$3520.1%Low
87Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra165$134$3228.5%Low
88Nainital, Uttarakhand164$364$8124.0%Low
89Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu162$146$3723.8%Low
90Chandigarh, Chandigarh161$314$5328.8%Low
91Varca, Goa156$577$7238.4%Moderate
92Alibag, Maharashtra155$752$15621.8%Low
93Patna, Bihar149$117$2925.0%Low
94Oxel, Goa148$797$9137.1%High
95Mapusa, Goa146$800$12929.7%High
96Ooty, Tamil Nadu145$363$9324.1%Low
97Dabolim, Goa137$380$5434.0%High
98Jaisalmer, Rajasthan134$146$5921.8%Low
99Vadodara, Gujarat124$227$4530.7%Low
100North Goa, Goa123$515$10133.7%Moderate

Most Profitable Airbnb Markets in India by Revenue

The most profitable Airbnb cities in India are those where hosts earn the highest average monthly revenue per listing — the single most telling indicator of a market's income potential. Assagao, Goa leads with $1,243/month at $189 ADR and 32.9% occupancy. Whether you are evaluating your first STR investment or benchmarking an existing property, these top-earning Airbnb markets show where vacation rentals generate the greatest short-term rental income.

#MarketRevenue/moActive Listings (TTM)ADROccupancyRegulation
1Assagao, Goa$1,243381$18932.9%Moderate
2Badem, Goa$1,182268$17529.8%High
3Vagator, Goa$984278$14330.9%Moderate
4Anjuna, Goa$808431$12331.1%Moderate
5Mapusa, Goa$800146$12929.7%High
6Oxel, Goa$797148$9137.1%High
7Alibag, Maharashtra$752155$15621.8%Low
8Lonavala, Maharashtra$747670$19020.5%Low
9Baga, Goa$718277$11030.4%High
10Arpora, Goa$622548$9332.0%Moderate
11Varca, Goa$577156$7238.4%Moderate
12Colva, Goa$571191$7434.3%Moderate
13Benaulim, Goa$551266$6936.8%Moderate
14Siolim, Goa$533348$7737.7%Low
15Calangute, Goa$531778$8432.0%Moderate
16Candolim, Goa$5211,188$8232.8%High
17North Goa, Goa$515123$10133.7%Moderate
18Panchgani, Maharashtra$513229$14020.2%Low
19Mussoorie, Uttarakhand$507252$11825.0%Low
20Mumbai, Maharashtra$4703,047$7133.5%Low
21Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu$457193$9720.1%Low
22Canacona, Goa$402190$6638.9%Low
23Varkala, Kerala$394328$7129.1%Low
24Morjim, Goa$388267$7729.0%Moderate
25Dabolim, Goa$380137$5434.0%High
26Vythiri, Kerala$376222$8519.1%Low
27Panaji, Goa$374252$6829.6%High
28Nainital, Uttarakhand$364164$8124.0%Low
29Ooty, Tamil Nadu$363145$9324.1%Low
30Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu$349428$9521.5%Low
31Puducherry, Puducherry$334780$6426.6%Low
32Ernakulam, Kerala$324395$5430.4%Low
33New Delhi, Delhi$3152,688$5429.7%Low
34Chandigarh, Chandigarh$314161$5328.8%Low
35Udaipur, Rajasthan$306847$8423.7%Low
36Chennai, Tamil Nadu$3031,349$5431.1%Low
37Mandrem, Goa$299230$6431.2%Low
38Ahmedabad, Gujarat$299194$6131.0%Low
39Shimla, Himachal Pradesh$295366$8920.8%Low
40Nashik, Maharashtra$290293$8022.0%Low
41Gurugram District, Haryana$271323$7523.2%Low
42Thane, Maharashtra$266239$4931.9%Low
43Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan$2591,074$6023.0%Low
44Kozhikode, Kerala$253172$5825.9%Low
45Shillong, Meghalaya$250316$4728.2%Low
46Madikeri, Karnataka$250316$6220.7%Low
47Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra$250198$5429.0%Low
48Alappuzha, Kerala$246223$6623.0%Low
49Kolkata, West Bengal$245975$3832.9%Low
50Bengaluru, Karnataka$2333,282$4029.8%Low
51Manali, Himachal Pradesh$233363$6723.3%Low
52Puri, Odisha$229362$3831.4%Low
53Vadodara, Gujarat$227124$4530.7%Low
54Kochi, Kerala$226526$4929.9%Low
55Dadri, Uttar Pradesh$225397$4726.4%Low
56Pune, Maharashtra$223984$4228.3%Low
57Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh$218251$5425.2%Low
58New Town, West Bengal$216176$5923.6%Low
59Bidhannagar, West Bengal$214172$3826.5%Low
60Rishikesh, Uttarakhand$209703$5722.9%Low
61Gurugram, Haryana$2091,841$5923.0%Low
62Hyderabad, Telangana$2062,006$4427.7%Low
63Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir$205263$8021.5%Low
64Gangtok, Sikkim$204209$4524.6%Low
65Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh$1941,334$4526.9%Low
66Delhi, Delhi$194504$4826.8%Low
67Darjeeling, West Bengal$193261$4126.4%Low
68Mysuru, Karnataka$192395$4024.3%Low
69Jaipur, Rajasthan$190970$5724.2%Low
70Jodhpur, Rajasthan$190279$5623.6%Low
71Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala$185616$4227.6%Low
72Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh$185265$5919.7%Low
73Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh$178517$4324.3%Low
74Amritsar, Punjab$177227$4723.0%Low
75Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh$170245$4624.2%Low
76Dehradun, Uttarakhand$170922$4722.2%Low
77Nagpur, Maharashtra$166174$3527.1%Low
78Bangalore Urban, Karnataka$1661,462$4132.2%Low
79Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab$164287$4125.3%Low
80Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh$159255$3528.0%Low
81Arambol, Goa$158178$4827.8%Moderate
82Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh$157295$3524.5%Low
83Mysore, Karnataka$154221$4827.1%Low
84Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha$150229$3626.3%Low
85Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu$146162$3723.8%Low
86Jaisalmer, Rajasthan$146134$5921.8%Low
87Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh$145411$5222.3%Low
88Agra, Uttar Pradesh$138234$4218.7%Low
89Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra$134165$3228.5%Low
90Indore, Madhya Pradesh$131370$3822.3%Low
91Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu$129179$3128.9%Low
92Pune City, Maharashtra$128679$3528.4%Low
93Noida, Uttar Pradesh$122538$4722.6%Low
94Patna, Bihar$117149$2925.0%Low
95Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh$117169$3520.1%Low
96Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh$114227$3424.5%Low
97Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh$108291$3123.0%Low
98Dispur, Assam$104229$2520.4%Low
99Zirakpur, Punjab$101224$3521.6%Low
100Guwahati, Assam$97816$2623.2%Low

Most Expensive Airbnb Markets in India by Nightly Rate

The average daily rate (ADR) measures how much guests pay per night in each market, making it the clearest indicator of a city's short-term rental pricing power. Lonavala, Maharashtra commands the highest Airbnb nightly rate in India at $190/night, generating $747/month at 20.5% occupancy. Markets with premium nightly pricing typically feature high-demand destinations where travelers pay a significant premium over hotel alternatives.

#MarketADRActive Listings (TTM)Revenue/moOccupancyRegulation
1Lonavala, Maharashtra$190670$74720.5%Low
2Assagao, Goa$189381$1,24332.9%Moderate
3Badem, Goa$175268$1,18229.8%High
4Alibag, Maharashtra$156155$75221.8%Low
5Vagator, Goa$143278$98430.9%Moderate
6Panchgani, Maharashtra$140229$51320.2%Low
7Mapusa, Goa$129146$80029.7%High
8Anjuna, Goa$123431$80831.1%Moderate
9Mussoorie, Uttarakhand$118252$50725.0%Low
10Baga, Goa$110277$71830.4%High
11North Goa, Goa$101123$51533.7%Moderate
12Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu$97193$45720.1%Low
13Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu$95428$34921.5%Low
14Arpora, Goa$93548$62232.0%Moderate
15Ooty, Tamil Nadu$93145$36324.1%Low
16Oxel, Goa$91148$79737.1%High
17Shimla, Himachal Pradesh$89366$29520.8%Low
18Vythiri, Kerala$85222$37619.1%Low
19Udaipur, Rajasthan$84847$30623.7%Low
20Calangute, Goa$84778$53132.0%Moderate
21Candolim, Goa$821,188$52132.8%High
22Nainital, Uttarakhand$81164$36424.0%Low
23Nashik, Maharashtra$80293$29022.0%Low
24Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir$80263$20521.5%Low
25Morjim, Goa$77267$38829.0%Moderate
26Siolim, Goa$77348$53337.7%Low
27Gurugram District, Haryana$75323$27123.2%Low
28Colva, Goa$74191$57134.3%Moderate
29Varca, Goa$72156$57738.4%Moderate
30Varkala, Kerala$71328$39429.1%Low
31Mumbai, Maharashtra$713,047$47033.5%Low
32Benaulim, Goa$69266$55136.8%Moderate
33Panaji, Goa$68252$37429.6%High
34Manali, Himachal Pradesh$67363$23323.3%Low
35Alappuzha, Kerala$66223$24623.0%Low
36Canacona, Goa$66190$40238.9%Low
37Mandrem, Goa$64230$29931.2%Low
38Puducherry, Puducherry$64780$33426.6%Low
39Madikeri, Karnataka$62316$25020.7%Low
40Ahmedabad, Gujarat$61194$29931.0%Low
41Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan$601,074$25923.0%Low
42New Town, West Bengal$59176$21623.6%Low
43Gurugram, Haryana$591,841$20923.0%Low
44Jaisalmer, Rajasthan$59134$14621.8%Low
45Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh$59265$18519.7%Low
46Kozhikode, Kerala$58172$25325.9%Low
47Jaipur, Rajasthan$57970$19024.2%Low
48Rishikesh, Uttarakhand$57703$20922.9%Low
49Jodhpur, Rajasthan$56279$19023.6%Low
50New Delhi, Delhi$542,688$31529.7%Low
51Chennai, Tamil Nadu$541,349$30331.1%Low
52Dabolim, Goa$54137$38034.0%High
53Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra$54198$25029.0%Low
54Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh$54251$21825.2%Low
55Ernakulam, Kerala$54395$32430.4%Low
56Chandigarh, Chandigarh$53161$31428.8%Low
57Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh$52411$14522.3%Low
58Kochi, Kerala$49526$22629.9%Low
59Thane, Maharashtra$49239$26631.9%Low
60Delhi, Delhi$48504$19426.8%Low
61Mysore, Karnataka$48221$15427.1%Low
62Arambol, Goa$48178$15827.8%Moderate
63Amritsar, Punjab$47227$17723.0%Low
64Shillong, Meghalaya$47316$25028.2%Low
65Dadri, Uttar Pradesh$47397$22526.4%Low
66Noida, Uttar Pradesh$47538$12222.6%Low
67Dehradun, Uttarakhand$47922$17022.2%Low
68Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh$46245$17024.2%Low
69Gangtok, Sikkim$45209$20424.6%Low
70Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh$451,334$19426.9%Low
71Vadodara, Gujarat$45124$22730.7%Low
72Hyderabad, Telangana$442,006$20627.7%Low
73Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh$43517$17824.3%Low
74Pune, Maharashtra$42984$22328.3%Low
75Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala$42616$18527.6%Low
76Agra, Uttar Pradesh$42234$13818.7%Low
77Bangalore Urban, Karnataka$411,462$16632.2%Low
78Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab$41287$16425.3%Low
79Darjeeling, West Bengal$41261$19326.4%Low
80Mysuru, Karnataka$40395$19224.3%Low
81Bengaluru, Karnataka$403,282$23329.8%Low
82Puri, Odisha$38362$22931.4%Low
83Kolkata, West Bengal$38975$24532.9%Low
84Bidhannagar, West Bengal$38172$21426.5%Low
85Indore, Madhya Pradesh$38370$13122.3%Low
86Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu$37162$14623.8%Low
87Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha$36229$15026.3%Low
88Pune City, Maharashtra$35679$12828.4%Low
89Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh$35169$11720.1%Low
90Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh$35255$15928.0%Low
91Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh$35295$15724.5%Low
92Zirakpur, Punjab$35224$10121.6%Low
93Nagpur, Maharashtra$35174$16627.1%Low
94Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh$34227$11424.5%Low
95Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra$32165$13428.5%Low
96Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu$31179$12928.9%Low
97Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh$31291$10823.0%Low
98Patna, Bihar$29149$11725.0%Low
99Guwahati, Assam$26816$9723.2%Low
100Dispur, Assam$25229$10420.4%Low

Highest Occupancy Airbnb Markets in India

Airbnb occupancy rate measures the percentage of available nights actually booked — the most telling indicator of short-term rental demand in a market. Siolim, Goa leads India with 37.7% occupancy, $533/month revenue, and 348 active listings. Markets with the highest STR occupancy rates reflect strong, sustained guest demand — a critical signal for investors evaluating where properties will stay consistently booked year-round. This ranking is filtered to markets with 300+ listings to ensure statistical reliability.

#MarketOccupancyActive Listings (TTM)Revenue/moADRRegulation
1Siolim, Goa37.7%348$533$77Low
2Mumbai, Maharashtra33.5%3,047$470$71Low
3Assagao, Goa32.9%381$1,243$189Moderate
4Kolkata, West Bengal32.9%975$245$38Low
5Candolim, Goa32.8%1,188$521$82High
6Bangalore Urban, Karnataka32.2%1,462$166$41Low
7Calangute, Goa32.0%778$531$84Moderate
8Arpora, Goa32.0%548$622$93Moderate
9Puri, Odisha31.4%362$229$38Low
10Anjuna, Goa31.1%431$808$123Moderate
11Chennai, Tamil Nadu31.1%1,349$303$54Low
12Ernakulam, Kerala30.4%395$324$54Low
13Kochi, Kerala29.9%526$226$49Low
14Bengaluru, Karnataka29.8%3,282$233$40Low
15New Delhi, Delhi29.7%2,688$315$54Low
16Varkala, Kerala29.1%328$394$71Low
17Pune City, Maharashtra28.4%679$128$35Low
18Pune, Maharashtra28.3%984$223$42Low
19Shillong, Meghalaya28.2%316$250$47Low
20Hyderabad, Telangana27.7%2,006$206$44Low
21Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala27.6%616$185$42Low
22Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh26.9%1,334$194$45Low
23Delhi, Delhi26.8%504$194$48Low
24Puducherry, Puducherry26.6%780$334$64Low
25Dadri, Uttar Pradesh26.4%397$225$47Low
26Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh24.3%517$178$43Low
27Mysuru, Karnataka24.3%395$192$40Low
28Jaipur, Rajasthan24.2%970$190$57Low
29Udaipur, Rajasthan23.7%847$306$84Low
30Manali, Himachal Pradesh23.3%363$233$67Low
31Gurugram District, Haryana23.2%323$271$75Low
32Guwahati, Assam23.2%816$97$26Low
33Gurugram, Haryana23.0%1,841$209$59Low
34Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan23.0%1,074$259$60Low
35Rishikesh, Uttarakhand22.9%703$209$57Low
36Noida, Uttar Pradesh22.6%538$122$47Low
37Indore, Madhya Pradesh22.3%370$131$38Low
38Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh22.3%411$145$52Low
39Dehradun, Uttarakhand22.2%922$170$47Low
40Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu21.5%428$349$95Low
41Shimla, Himachal Pradesh20.8%366$295$89Low
42Madikeri, Karnataka20.7%316$250$62Low
43Lonavala, Maharashtra20.5%670$747$190Low

How to Choose an Airbnb Investment Market in India

No single ranking tells the full story. The best Airbnb market for a given investor depends on their capital, risk tolerance, operating model, and income goals. The four ranking dimensions on this page — market depth, revenue, ADR, and occupancy — serve different investor profiles.

If you prioritize predictable cash flow, start with the occupancy rankings. Markets where occupancy exceeds 55% offer consistent bookings and lower vacancy risk. High-occupancy markets may not have the highest nightly rates, but their revenue stability makes them better suited for mortgage-backed investments where monthly debt coverage matters more than peak earnings.

If you're targeting maximum income per property, use the revenue rankings. Revenue is the product of nightly rate and occupancy — it captures the combined effect of both. The highest-revenue Airbnb markets in India tend to be destination cities where travelers stay longer and pay a premium for entire-home listings.

If you're evaluating luxury or premium positioning, the ADR rankings show where guests are willing to pay top dollar per night. High-ADR markets reward property upgrades, professional photography, and amenity investments. However, a high nightly rate with low occupancy may generate less income than a moderately priced listing that stays booked consistently.

If you want the deepest market data, the active listings rankings identify cities with the largest short-term rental supply. More listings mean more comparable properties for pricing, more data points for revenue projections, and typically a more liquid resale market if your investment thesis changes.

In all cases, check the regulation column before committing capital. A profitable market with high regulation may require permits, annual caps on rental days, or costly compliance steps that erode returns. Markets with low regulation offer faster time-to-market but may tighten rules as STR supply grows.

Short-Term Rental Regulation in India

Understanding the regulatory environment is critical for any Airbnb investment in India. Regulation affects licensing costs, annual operating limits, tax obligations, and the long-term viability of a short-term rental strategy.

Across the 100 markets ranked on this page: 82 have a low regulation profile (generally operator-friendly with minimal licensing requirements), 0 have medium regulation (some permit or registration requirements), and 7 have high regulation (strict licensing, annual rental day caps, or active enforcement). Markets with low regulation offer the lowest barrier to entry, while high-regulation markets may still be profitable — but require careful compliance planning and often limit the number of properties a single operator can manage.

AirROI classifies regulation as a market-level signal based on available ordinance data and platform registration patterns. This is not legal advice — always verify current local ordinances, as short-term rental rules can change rapidly, especially in high-growth markets where municipalities are actively responding to STR expansion.

How We Rank the Best Airbnb Investment Markets in India

This page ranks Airbnb markets in India across four dimensions that matter most to short-term rental investors and operators: market depth (active listings), revenue potential (monthly income per listing), pricing power (average daily rate), and booking demand (occupancy rate). Each ranking uses the same underlying dataset but sorts by a different metric, giving you multiple lenses to evaluate where to invest in Airbnb in India.

No single metric tells the full story. A market with high ADR but low occupancy may underperform one with moderate pricing and strong demand. Revenue captures the combined effect of rate and occupancy, while active listings signal whether a market has enough depth for reliable benchmarking and a liquid resale environment. We include regulation data alongside every ranking so you can weigh compliance risk before committing capital.

Ranking Methodology & Data Sources

  • Active Listings (TTM): The count of active short-term rental listings in each market over the trailing twelve months — a proxy for market maturity, data reliability, and investor confidence in India.
  • Monthly Revenue: Average gross revenue per listing per month — the bottom-line metric for evaluating Airbnb profitability in India and projecting cash flow.
  • Average Daily Rate (ADR): The mean nightly booking price across all active listings — the clearest measure of a market's short-term rental pricing power.
  • Occupancy Rate: Percentage of available nights booked — the demand signal that determines how much of your nightly rate converts to actual income. Occupancy rankings are filtered to markets with 300+ listings to exclude small markets with unreliable averages.
  • Regulation: An indicator of the local regulatory climate in India, from low (operator-friendly) to high (strict licensing and enforcement) — essential for assessing compliance risk.

All data is sourced from AirROI's proprietary analytics pipeline, which tracks 20,000,000+ properties across 190+ countries. Metrics are recalculated on a rolling basis using trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Airbnb Markets in India

These quick answers summarize the most common investor and operator questions using AirROI's latest market data for India.

What are the best places to invest in Airbnb in India?

Bengaluru, Karnataka leads this ranking for India with 3,282 active listings — the largest market by depth. Markets are ranked by listing count because deeper markets offer more comparable data, more pricing benchmarks, and a more predictable operating environment for investors. Each row also shows revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation so investors can evaluate based on what matters most to them.

Which market has the highest Airbnb revenue in India?

Assagao, Goa posts the highest average monthly revenue in this ranking at $1,243. Revenue leaders often combine healthy rates, solid occupancy, and enough listing scale to support repeatable operations rather than one-off outliers.

Which market has the strongest Airbnb occupancy in India?

Canacona, Goa has the highest occupancy rate in this comparison at 38.9%. High occupancy can signal resilient demand, but investors still need to balance it against nightly rates, regulation, and supply depth before deciding where to buy or operate.

Which market has the highest Airbnb nightly rate in India?

Lonavala, Maharashtra commands the highest average daily rate at $190 per night. A high ADR does not automatically translate to the highest revenue — occupancy and seasonality determine how much of that rate converts to realized income.

Which Airbnb markets in India have the lowest regulation?

Bengaluru (Karnataka), Mumbai (Maharashtra), New Delhi (Delhi) currently show low regulation profiles in this ranking. Lower regulation can reduce compliance costs and time-to-market for new hosts, but investors should always verify local ordinances before purchasing — rules can change quickly as short-term rental markets grow.

Is short-term rental investing still profitable in India in 2026?

The markets ranked here average 26.8% occupancy, and the top performer posts $1,243 in monthly revenue. Profitability depends on property acquisition cost, local operating expenses, and regulation compliance — but the data shows active, performing markets exist across India for well-researched investors.

How often are AirROI's top Airbnb market rankings updated?

AirROI updates these rankings using the latest market snapshot available in the dataset, which for this page is anchored to 2026. Rankings should be treated as current market intelligence rather than permanent truths because pricing, demand, regulation, and supply can all shift over time.

What metrics should I use to evaluate Airbnb investments in India?

The most important metrics for comparing short-term rental markets are active listing count (market depth and data reliability), occupancy rate (demand consistency), average daily rate (pricing power), monthly revenue (income potential), and regulation level (compliance cost and risk). This ranking sorts by market depth first; use the other columns to filter for the profile that fits your investment strategy.

What makes a good Airbnb market for first-time investors in India?

First-time investors in India should prioritize markets with high occupancy (55%+) and low regulation, which reduce the risk of empty calendars and compliance surprises. Markets with 200+ active listings also provide better benchmarking data and a more predictable operating environment. Revenue is important, but consistent demand is more forgiving for operators still learning pricing and guest management.

What is a good Airbnb occupancy rate in India?

Across the markets ranked here, the average occupancy rate in India is 26.8%. Occupancy above 50% is generally considered healthy for short-term rentals, and above 65% signals strong, sustained demand. However, the best occupancy rate depends on pricing strategy — some hosts maximize revenue by targeting fewer bookings at higher nightly rates rather than maximizing booking volume.

How does regulation affect Airbnb investment returns in India?

Regulation is one of the most overlooked risks in short-term rental investing. In India, 82 of 100 ranked markets have low regulation, 0 have medium, and 7 have high. High-regulation markets often require permits, limit annual rental days, or impose occupancy taxes — all of which reduce net returns. Low-regulation markets offer faster time-to-market and lower compliance costs, but rules can tighten as STR supply grows.

What is the difference between ADR and RevPAR for Airbnb investing?

ADR (Average Daily Rate) is the average nightly price guests pay, while RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Rental night) factors in both price and occupancy. A market with $200 ADR and 50% occupancy has $100 RevPAR — the same as a market with $125 ADR and 80% occupancy. RevPAR is a better single-number benchmark for comparing markets because it captures how effectively nightly rates convert to realized income. AirROI's city-level reports include RevPAR with percentile breakdowns for deeper analysis.

How many Airbnb listings does a market need to be investable in India?

Markets with fewer than 100 active listings can show volatile averages that do not predict future performance. The median market in this India ranking has about 277 listings. Larger markets (500+) offer more reliable data, more comparable properties for pricing, and typically a more liquid exit if you decide to sell. Smaller markets can still be profitable, but investors should treat the data as directional rather than precise.

How do seasonal and year-round Airbnb markets differ in India?

Seasonal markets in India experience dramatic swings in booking demand — often earning 60-70% of annual revenue in just 3-4 peak months. Year-round markets deliver steadier cash flow with lower peak-to-trough variation. Investors who need predictable monthly income should prioritize high-occupancy markets with low seasonal variance, while those comfortable with cash-flow timing can target seasonal markets where peak rates compensate for off-season softness.

About AirROI Market Data

AirROI tracks over 20 million properties across 190+ countries and maintains 15+ years of historical performance data, making it one of the deepest Airbnb and STR intelligence platforms available. The analytics pipeline aggregates listing-level data monthly — revenue, occupancy, nightly rates, RevPAR, guest demographics, booking patterns, and competitive supply — so investors and operators can benchmark any market against its own history and against neighboring destinations.

Real estate investors, property managers, financial institutions, hospitality consultants, and academic researchers rely on AirROI data to underwrite acquisitions, optimize pricing, model macro trends, and conduct peer-reviewed research. Data is available through in-depth market reports, the data portal for bulk downloads, the Airbnb API with 22 endpoints, and an Airbnb MCP Server for AI agents.

All metrics reflect trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings as of 2026-07-06. Revenue figures are market averages, not projections. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

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