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 3,206 active listings and $243/month revenue. Across all ranked markets, average occupancy is 26.4% with $402/month in average revenue and $72/night ADR. 74 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 3,206 active short-term rental listings and $243/month in average revenue.

#MarketActive Listings (TTM)Revenue/moADROccupancyRegulation
1Bengaluru, Karnataka3,206$243$3830.9%Low
2Mumbai, Maharashtra2,346$536$7233.2%Low
3New Delhi, Delhi2,002$371$5729.5%Low
4Hyderabad, Telangana1,252$261$4528.2%Low
5Gurugram, Haryana1,154$277$6422.2%Low
6Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan1,143$256$5822.7%Low
7Pune, Maharashtra1,037$237$4130.1%Low
8Candolim, Goa994$558$8331.5%High
9Chennai, Tamil Nadu922$359$5431.4%Low
10Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh668$237$4824.1%Low
11Kolkata, West Bengal647$305$4033.1%Low
12Dehradun, Uttarakhand644$189$4623.1%Low
13Calangute, Goa643$589$8831.6%Moderate
14Udaipur, Rajasthan575$349$8323.1%Low
15Rishikesh, Uttarakhand547$227$5922.6%Low
16Puducherry, Puducherry501$424$6127.9%Low
17Lonavala, Maharashtra487$948$21920.2%Low
18Dadri, Uttar Pradesh458$228$4725.7%Low
19Arpora, Goa428$701$9131.5%Moderate
20Guwahati, Assam417$120$2622.1%Low
21Mysuru, Karnataka415$195$4024.1%Low
22Gurugram District, Haryana378$269$7023.4%Low
23Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala320$235$4625.8%Low
24Shimla, Himachal Pradesh318$313$9720.1%Low
25Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh305$225$4722.5%Low
26Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu302$456$10522.5%Low
27Ernakulam, Kerala298$382$5330.6%Low
28Assagao, Goa293$1,369$18833.0%High
29Anjuna, Goa292$886$12330.0%Moderate
30Badem, Goa291$1,195$17330.0%High
31Delhi, Delhi282$221$4126.8%Low
32Baga, Goa275$738$10230.1%High
33Dispur, Assam265$104$2520.9%Low
34Kochi, Kerala264$229$4826.5%Low
35Panaji, Goa252$379$6728.4%High
36Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir247$233$9123.1%Low
37Manali, Himachal Pradesh245$281$7423.0%Low
38Madikeri, Karnataka236$320$6621.6%Low
39Shillong, Meghalaya230$281$4827.9%Low
40Vythiri, Kerala225$397$8520.1%Low
41Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh218$208$5821.6%Low
42Vagator, Goa217$1,057$14629.9%Moderate
43Benaulim, Goa215$571$6835.5%High
44Indore, Madhya Pradesh214$171$3622.7%Low
45Varkala, Kerala205$454$6628.8%Low
46Puri, Odisha203$251$3529.5%Low
47Jaipur, Rajasthan201$407$8424.1%Low
48Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu200$565$10021.8%Low
49Nashik, Nashik Taluka199$375$9621.8%Low
50Panchgani, Maharashtra192$604$15719.9%Low
51Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh189$251$5224.8%Low
52Morjim, Goa188$456$7528.9%High
53Mussoorie, Uttarakhand183$586$12125.7%Low
54Jodhpur, Rajasthan182$218$5522.3%Low
55Gangtok, Sikkim180$205$4723.8%Low
56Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh180$261$8221.1%Low
57Darjeeling, West Bengal180$205$4224.4%Low
58Bidhannagar, West Bengal176$222$3727.3%Low
59Siolim, Goa166$654$7738.7%Moderate
60Oxel, Goa163$802$9137.9%High
61Colva, Goa160$580$6833.4%High
62New Town, West Bengal158$237$6122.1%Low
63Amritsar, Punjab156$183$4720.3%Low
64Mandrem, Goa150$337$6829.2%Moderate
65Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh150$129$3323.0%Low
66Agra, Uttar Pradesh150$157$4218.0%Low
67Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha141$176$3525.6%Low
68Alappuzha, Kerala139$276$7220.9%Low
69Nainital, Uttarakhand138$398$8923.4%Low
70Noida, Uttar Pradesh137$219$6223.0%Low
71Thane, Maharashtra135$310$4531.3%Low
72Mapusa, Goa131$866$13229.0%High
73Marna, Goa131$1,165$16231.5%High
74Tiruporur, Tamil Nadu131$715$13423.6%Low
75Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh128$213$4522.8%Low
76Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh128$166$3222.5%Low
77Ahmedabad, Gujarat127$385$6729.6%Low
78Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh125$196$3424.0%Low
79Varca, Goa121$517$6035.4%Moderate
80Nagpur, Maharashtra121$193$3326.5%Low
81Arambol, Goa120$172$5825.2%Moderate
82Tungarli, Maharashtra120$760$15020.9%Low
83Shahdara, Uttar Pradesh119$107$3321.0%Low
84Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab118$242$4025.5%Low
85Chandigarh, Chandigarh117$344$5527.3%Low
86Alibag, Maharashtra117$878$16522.6%Low
87Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra117$292$5626.3%Low
88Sinquerim, Goa112$1,081$11137.7%High
89Dabolim, Goa104$412$5333.0%High
90Fatrade, Goa104$562$6734.7%High
91Mangaluru, Karnataka104$315$4531.4%Low
92Jaisalmer, Rajasthan103$162$5721.2%Low
93Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu102$208$4325.4%Low
94Kolamb, Goa97$334$6627.9%Moderate
95Majorda, Goa96$408$6130.0%High
96Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka96$252$6918.1%Low
97Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu96$170$2830.5%Low
98Nagoa, Goa95$997$20824.2%Moderate
99Vadodara, Gujarat95$247$4429.9%Low
100Agonda, Goa94$222$4627.9%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 $1,369/month at $188 ADR and 33.0% 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$1,369293$18833.0%High
2Badem, Goa$1,195291$17330.0%High
3Marna, Goa$1,165131$16231.5%High
4Sinquerim, Goa$1,081112$11137.7%High
5Vagator, Goa$1,057217$14629.9%Moderate
6Nagoa, Goa$99795$20824.2%Moderate
7Lonavala, Maharashtra$948487$21920.2%Low
8Anjuna, Goa$886292$12330.0%Moderate
9Alibag, Maharashtra$878117$16522.6%Low
10Mapusa, Goa$866131$13229.0%High
11Oxel, Goa$802163$9137.9%High
12Tungarli, Maharashtra$760120$15020.9%Low
13Baga, Goa$738275$10230.1%High
14Tiruporur, Tamil Nadu$715131$13423.6%Low
15Arpora, Goa$701428$9131.5%Moderate
16Siolim, Goa$654166$7738.7%Moderate
17Panchgani, Maharashtra$604192$15719.9%Low
18Calangute, Goa$589643$8831.6%Moderate
19Mussoorie, Uttarakhand$586183$12125.7%Low
20Colva, Goa$580160$6833.4%High
21Benaulim, Goa$571215$6835.5%High
22Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu$565200$10021.8%Low
23Fatrade, Goa$562104$6734.7%High
24Candolim, Goa$558994$8331.5%High
25Mumbai, Maharashtra$5362,346$7233.2%Low
26Varca, Goa$517121$6035.4%Moderate
27Morjim, Goa$456188$7528.9%High
28Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu$456302$10522.5%Low
29Varkala, Kerala$454205$6628.8%Low
30Puducherry, Puducherry$424501$6127.9%Low
31Dabolim, Goa$412104$5333.0%High
32Majorda, Goa$40896$6130.0%High
33Jaipur, Rajasthan$407201$8424.1%Low
34Nainital, Uttarakhand$398138$8923.4%Low
35Vythiri, Kerala$397225$8520.1%Low
36Ahmedabad, Gujarat$385127$6729.6%Low
37Ernakulam, Kerala$382298$5330.6%Low
38Panaji, Goa$379252$6728.4%High
39Nashik, Nashik Taluka$375199$9621.8%Low
40New Delhi, Delhi$3712,002$5729.5%Low
41Chennai, Tamil Nadu$359922$5431.4%Low
42Udaipur, Rajasthan$349575$8323.1%Low
43Chandigarh, Chandigarh$344117$5527.3%Low
44Mandrem, Goa$337150$6829.2%Moderate
45Kolamb, Goa$33497$6627.9%Moderate
46Madikeri, Karnataka$320236$6621.6%Low
47Mangaluru, Karnataka$315104$4531.4%Low
48Shimla, Himachal Pradesh$313318$9720.1%Low
49Thane, Maharashtra$310135$4531.3%Low
50Kolkata, West Bengal$305647$4033.1%Low
51Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra$292117$5626.3%Low
52Shillong, Meghalaya$281230$4827.9%Low
53Manali, Himachal Pradesh$281245$7423.0%Low
54Gurugram, Haryana$2771,154$6422.2%Low
55Alappuzha, Kerala$276139$7220.9%Low
56Gurugram District, Haryana$269378$7023.4%Low
57Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh$261180$8221.1%Low
58Hyderabad, Telangana$2611,252$4528.2%Low
59Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan$2561,143$5822.7%Low
60Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka$25296$6918.1%Low
61Puri, Odisha$251203$3529.5%Low
62Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh$251189$5224.8%Low
63Vadodara, Gujarat$24795$4429.9%Low
64Bengaluru, Karnataka$2433,206$3830.9%Low
65Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab$242118$4025.5%Low
66Pune, Maharashtra$2371,037$4130.1%Low
67Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh$237668$4824.1%Low
68New Town, West Bengal$237158$6122.1%Low
69Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala$235320$4625.8%Low
70Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir$233247$9123.1%Low
71Kochi, Kerala$229264$4826.5%Low
72Dadri, Uttar Pradesh$228458$4725.7%Low
73Rishikesh, Uttarakhand$227547$5922.6%Low
74Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh$225305$4722.5%Low
75Agonda, Goa$22294$4627.9%Moderate
76Bidhannagar, West Bengal$222176$3727.3%Low
77Delhi, Delhi$221282$4126.8%Low
78Noida, Uttar Pradesh$219137$6223.0%Low
79Jodhpur, Rajasthan$218182$5522.3%Low
80Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh$213128$4522.8%Low
81Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh$208218$5821.6%Low
82Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu$208102$4325.4%Low
83Gangtok, Sikkim$205180$4723.8%Low
84Darjeeling, West Bengal$205180$4224.4%Low
85Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh$196125$3424.0%Low
86Mysuru, Karnataka$195415$4024.1%Low
87Nagpur, Maharashtra$193121$3326.5%Low
88Dehradun, Uttarakhand$189644$4623.1%Low
89Amritsar, Punjab$183156$4720.3%Low
90Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha$176141$3525.6%Low
91Arambol, Goa$172120$5825.2%Moderate
92Indore, Madhya Pradesh$171214$3622.7%Low
93Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu$17096$2830.5%Low
94Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh$166128$3222.5%Low
95Jaisalmer, Rajasthan$162103$5721.2%Low
96Agra, Uttar Pradesh$157150$4218.0%Low
97Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh$129150$3323.0%Low
98Guwahati, Assam$120417$2622.1%Low
99Shahdara, Uttar Pradesh$107119$3321.0%Low
100Dispur, Assam$104265$2520.9%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 $219/night, generating $948/month at 20.2% 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$219487$94820.2%Low
2Nagoa, Goa$20895$99724.2%Moderate
3Assagao, Goa$188293$1,36933.0%High
4Badem, Goa$173291$1,19530.0%High
5Alibag, Maharashtra$165117$87822.6%Low
6Marna, Goa$162131$1,16531.5%High
7Panchgani, Maharashtra$157192$60419.9%Low
8Tungarli, Maharashtra$150120$76020.9%Low
9Vagator, Goa$146217$1,05729.9%Moderate
10Tiruporur, Tamil Nadu$134131$71523.6%Low
11Mapusa, Goa$132131$86629.0%High
12Anjuna, Goa$123292$88630.0%Moderate
13Mussoorie, Uttarakhand$121183$58625.7%Low
14Sinquerim, Goa$111112$1,08137.7%High
15Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu$105302$45622.5%Low
16Baga, Goa$102275$73830.1%High
17Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu$100200$56521.8%Low
18Shimla, Himachal Pradesh$97318$31320.1%Low
19Nashik, Nashik Taluka$96199$37521.8%Low
20Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir$91247$23323.1%Low
21Oxel, Goa$91163$80237.9%High
22Arpora, Goa$91428$70131.5%Moderate
23Nainital, Uttarakhand$89138$39823.4%Low
24Calangute, Goa$88643$58931.6%Moderate
25Vythiri, Kerala$85225$39720.1%Low
26Jaipur, Rajasthan$84201$40724.1%Low
27Candolim, Goa$83994$55831.5%High
28Udaipur, Rajasthan$83575$34923.1%Low
29Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh$82180$26121.1%Low
30Siolim, Goa$77166$65438.7%Moderate
31Morjim, Goa$75188$45628.9%High
32Manali, Himachal Pradesh$74245$28123.0%Low
33Mumbai, Maharashtra$722,346$53633.2%Low
34Alappuzha, Kerala$72139$27620.9%Low
35Gurugram District, Haryana$70378$26923.4%Low
36Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka$6996$25218.1%Low
37Mandrem, Goa$68150$33729.2%Moderate
38Benaulim, Goa$68215$57135.5%High
39Colva, Goa$68160$58033.4%High
40Panaji, Goa$67252$37928.4%High
41Ahmedabad, Gujarat$67127$38529.6%Low
42Fatrade, Goa$67104$56234.7%High
43Kolamb, Goa$6697$33427.9%Moderate
44Varkala, Kerala$66205$45428.8%Low
45Madikeri, Karnataka$66236$32021.6%Low
46Gurugram, Haryana$641,154$27722.2%Low
47Noida, Uttar Pradesh$62137$21923.0%Low
48Majorda, Goa$6196$40830.0%High
49Puducherry, Puducherry$61501$42427.9%Low
50New Town, West Bengal$61158$23722.1%Low
51Varca, Goa$60121$51735.4%Moderate
52Rishikesh, Uttarakhand$59547$22722.6%Low
53Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh$58218$20821.6%Low
54Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan$581,143$25622.7%Low
55Arambol, Goa$58120$17225.2%Moderate
56New Delhi, Delhi$572,002$37129.5%Low
57Jaisalmer, Rajasthan$57103$16221.2%Low
58Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra$56117$29226.3%Low
59Jodhpur, Rajasthan$55182$21822.3%Low
60Chandigarh, Chandigarh$55117$34427.3%Low
61Chennai, Tamil Nadu$54922$35931.4%Low
62Dabolim, Goa$53104$41233.0%High
63Ernakulam, Kerala$53298$38230.6%Low
64Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh$52189$25124.8%Low
65Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh$48668$23724.1%Low
66Shillong, Meghalaya$48230$28127.9%Low
67Kochi, Kerala$48264$22926.5%Low
68Amritsar, Punjab$47156$18320.3%Low
69Gangtok, Sikkim$47180$20523.8%Low
70Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh$47305$22522.5%Low
71Dadri, Uttar Pradesh$47458$22825.7%Low
72Agonda, Goa$4694$22227.9%Moderate
73Dehradun, Uttarakhand$46644$18923.1%Low
74Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala$46320$23525.8%Low
75Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh$45128$21322.8%Low
76Hyderabad, Telangana$451,252$26128.2%Low
77Thane, Maharashtra$45135$31031.3%Low
78Mangaluru, Karnataka$45104$31531.4%Low
79Vadodara, Gujarat$4495$24729.9%Low
80Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu$43102$20825.4%Low
81Agra, Uttar Pradesh$42150$15718.0%Low
82Darjeeling, West Bengal$42180$20524.4%Low
83Delhi, Delhi$41282$22126.8%Low
84Pune, Maharashtra$411,037$23730.1%Low
85Kolkata, West Bengal$40647$30533.1%Low
86Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab$40118$24225.5%Low
87Mysuru, Karnataka$40415$19524.1%Low
88Bengaluru, Karnataka$383,206$24330.9%Low
89Bidhannagar, West Bengal$37176$22227.3%Low
90Indore, Madhya Pradesh$36214$17122.7%Low
91Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Odisha$35141$17625.6%Low
92Puri, Odisha$35203$25129.5%Low
93Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh$34125$19624.0%Low
94Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh$33150$12923.0%Low
95Shahdara, Uttar Pradesh$33119$10721.0%Low
96Nagpur, Maharashtra$33121$19326.5%Low
97Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh$32128$16622.5%Low
98Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu$2896$17030.5%Low
99Guwahati, Assam$26417$12022.1%Low
100Dispur, Assam$25265$10420.9%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. Mumbai, Maharashtra leads India with 33.2% occupancy, $536/month revenue, and 2,346 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
1Mumbai, Maharashtra33.2%2,346$536$72Low
2Kolkata, West Bengal33.1%647$305$40Low
3Calangute, Goa31.6%643$589$88Moderate
4Candolim, Goa31.5%994$558$83High
5Arpora, Goa31.5%428$701$91Moderate
6Chennai, Tamil Nadu31.4%922$359$54Low
7Bengaluru, Karnataka30.9%3,206$243$38Low
8Pune, Maharashtra30.1%1,037$237$41Low
9New Delhi, Delhi29.5%2,002$371$57Low
10Hyderabad, Telangana28.2%1,252$261$45Low
11Puducherry, Puducherry27.9%501$424$61Low
12Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala25.8%320$235$46Low
13Dadri, Uttar Pradesh25.7%458$228$47Low
14Mysuru, Karnataka24.1%415$195$40Low
15Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh24.1%668$237$48Low
16Gurugram District, Haryana23.4%378$269$70Low
17Udaipur, Rajasthan23.1%575$349$83Low
18Dehradun, Uttarakhand23.1%644$189$46Low
19Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Rajasthan22.7%1,143$256$58Low
20Rishikesh, Uttarakhand22.6%547$227$59Low
21Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu22.5%302$456$105Low
22Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh22.5%305$225$47Low
23Gurugram, Haryana22.2%1,154$277$64Low
24Guwahati, Assam22.1%417$120$26Low
25Lonavala, Maharashtra20.2%487$948$219Low
26Shimla, Himachal Pradesh20.1%318$313$97Low

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: 74 have a low regulation profile (generally operator-friendly with minimal licensing requirements), 0 have medium regulation (some permit or registration requirements), and 15 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 3,206 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 $1,369. 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?

Siolim, Goa has the highest occupancy rate in this comparison at 38.7%. 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 $219 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 26.4% occupancy, and the top performer posts $1,369 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 26.4%. 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, 74 of 100 ranked markets have low regulation, 0 have medium, and 15 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 192 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 2026-04-08. Revenue figures are market averages, not projections. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

Access Real-Time Airbnb API

This report is powered by our industry-leading Airbnb Data API, providing direct access to live short-term rental data from global markets like India. Use this data to build powerful analytics tools, discover investment opportunities, and inform your vacation rental strategy.

Get API Access