Lake Travis Airbnb Market Data
Highest-Ranked Investment Properties
Curated using our proprietary 100-point Surge Score™ model — evaluating property fundamentals, financial viability, location quality, and listing quality.
Search by Surge Score™, map, filters, neighborhoods.
Lake Travis Performance Data
Live MLS trends inside the neighborhood boundary plus STR benchmarks against the rest of Austin.
Lake Travis vs Austin Average
Short-term rental performance compared to the citywide average (AirDNA, trailing 12 months)
Where Lake Travis Ranks
STR market score across all 46 Austin neighborhoods — Lake Travis highlighted
Looking for Austin metro economics — jobs, housing trends, demographics?
View Austin market analysis →The Surge Take: Lake Travis
Lake Travis scores 55.8/100 on Surge's STR market score, ranking #36 of 46 Austin-area submarkets we track. That's in the lower tier of the Austin market on our score, which usually reflects thinner guest demand. Deals here need to be underwritten conservatively — the entry price has to do the heavy lifting. The average listing here grosses $48,451/year — about 8% above the Austin metro average.
The revenue profile is a $340 average daily rate at 47% occupancy (RevPAR $133). That ADR sits at the premium end, which rewards larger, well-designed properties that photograph well and sleep groups. As a suburban submarket, demand skews toward families, relocations, and medical or project stays — larger homes tend to outperform.
On the regulatory side, Lake Travis falls under Unincorporated Travis County, which is currently permissive: No county permit or zoning; Texas counties cannot license STRs; HOA/deed restrictions are the main risk. Low regulatory friction is a real advantage — just verify HOA and deed restrictions, which apply regardless of city or county rules.
Generated from live Surge market data: AirDNA performance metrics, MLS pricing inside the neighborhood boundary, and our jurisdiction-level regulation tracking. Not investment advice.
Lake Travis STR Regulations
PermissiveJurisdiction: Unincorporated Travis County · Last verified 2026-08-12
No county permit or zoning; Texas counties cannot license STRs; HOA/deed restrictions are the main risk
Texas counties have no zoning authority, and Travis County has not adopted (and cannot adopt) an STR licensing program for unincorporated areas such as Steiner Ranch, Del Valle, and much of the Lake Travis shoreline. Austin's license requirement applies only inside Austin city limits (and note nearby Lakeway and Bee Cave license STRs separately). Travis County does not levy a county hotel occupancy tax, so operators owe only the 6% state HOT. The practical risk is private HOA and deed restrictions, which are common in master-planned communities like Steiner Ranch and are enforced through civil litigation.
- •No county STR permit, registration, or zoning
- •Texas state HOT (6%) registration with the Comptroller required
- •No Travis County hotel occupancy tax
- •Confirm the property is actually unincorporated — Austin, Lakeway, and Bee Cave each license STRs inside their limits
- •Check HOA/deed restrictions — critical in master-planned communities
HOA covenants and deed restrictions can prohibit short-term rentals regardless of Unincorporated Travis County rules — always review them before purchasing. Surge handles permitting, registration, and Hotel Occupancy Tax compliance for every property we manage.
This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Regulations change — verify current requirements with local authorities before making investment decisions.
Lake Travis STR Investment FAQ
Is Lake Travis a good area for Airbnb investment?
Lake Travis ranks #36 of 46 Austin neighborhoods with an STR market score of 55.8/100. Short-term rentals here earn an average of $48,451/year at a $340 average daily rate and 47% occupancy.
How much do Airbnbs make in Lake Travis, Austin?
The average short-term rental in Lake Travis generates $48,451 in annual revenue, with an average daily rate of $340 and RevPAR of $133. Individual results vary by property size, quality, and management.
What does it cost to buy an investment property in Lake Travis?
Live MLS pricing for Lake Travis is shown above, sourced directly from the MLS and updated continuously. Compare the median price against average STR revenue of $48,451/year to estimate gross yield.
What short-term rental rules apply in Lake Travis?
Lake Travis falls under Unincorporated Travis County short-term rental rules: No county permit or zoning; Texas counties cannot license STRs; HOA/deed restrictions are the main risk. See the regulations section on this page for requirements, taxes, and sources — note that HOA and deed restrictions can also apply.
More Austin Neighborhoods
Compare Lake Travis against other top-ranked Austin STR submarkets.
Deep Market Analytics
Granular STR performance data, competitive landscape, and demand forecasts
Monthly Revenue Seasonality
19,468
Total Active STR Listings
14 days
Avg Booking Lead Time
3.2 nights
Avg Length of Stay
+12.3%
Supply Growth (YoY)
Revenue Distribution
Competitive Landscape
Unlock Deep Market Analytics
Get granular STR data including seasonality patterns, revenue distributions, competitive landscape analysis, and demand forecasts for your market. Free with a Surge consultation.
Book a Free ConsultationA Surge agent will share the full analytics report