San Marcos Airbnb Market Data
Highest-Ranked Investment Properties
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San Marcos Performance Data
Live MLS trends inside the neighborhood boundary plus STR benchmarks against the rest of Austin.
San Marcos vs Austin Average
Short-term rental performance compared to the citywide average (AirDNA, trailing 12 months)
Where San Marcos Ranks
STR market score across all 46 Austin neighborhoods — San Marcos highlighted
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View Austin market analysis →The Surge Take: San Marcos
San Marcos scores 52.2/100 on Surge's STR market score, ranking #39 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 $26,951/year — about 40% below the Austin metro average, so unit selection and design matter more than usual.
The revenue profile is a $161 average daily rate at 57% occupancy (RevPAR $74). That's a healthy mid-market ADR — the sweet spot for durable demand from both leisure and work travel. As a suburban submarket, demand skews toward families, relocations, and medical or project stays — larger homes tend to outperform.
Regulation-wise, San Marcos falls under City of San Marcos, which allows short-term rentals with compliance requirements — Annual STR permit with mandatory safety inspection; Deckard portal for registration. Registration-style regimes are manageable and tend to thin out casual competition, which can favor professional operators.
Generated from live Surge market data: AirDNA performance metrics, MLS pricing inside the neighborhood boundary, and our jurisdiction-level regulation tracking. Not investment advice.
San Marcos STR Regulations
RegulatedJurisdiction: City of San Marcos · Last verified 2026-08-12
Annual STR permit with mandatory safety inspection; Deckard portal for registration
San Marcos requires an annual STR permit for every unit (Code Sec. 34.804-805). Applications run through a Deckard-powered portal and require a warranty deed, parking plan, floor and fire plan, evacuation plan, and emergency contact info. A Code Compliance safety inspection must be passed before permit issuance, and permits renew annually. Each unit in a multi-unit building needs its own permit. City HOT (9%) applies on top of the 6% state tax.
- •Annual STR permit per unit via the Deckard portal
- •Mandatory safety inspection by Code Compliance before issuance
- •Warranty deed (or notarized owner authorization for non-owner operators)
- •Parking plan, floor/fire plan (posted in bedrooms), and evacuation plan
- •24-hour emergency contact
- •Separate permit for each unit in multi-unit buildings
- •9% city HOT + 6% state
HOA covenants and deed restrictions can prohibit short-term rentals regardless of City of San Marcos 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.
San Marcos STR Investment FAQ
Is San Marcos a good area for Airbnb investment?
San Marcos ranks #39 of 46 Austin neighborhoods with an STR market score of 52.2/100. Short-term rentals here earn an average of $26,951/year at a $161 average daily rate and 57% occupancy.
How much do Airbnbs make in San Marcos, Austin?
The average short-term rental in San Marcos generates $26,951 in annual revenue, with an average daily rate of $161 and RevPAR of $74. Individual results vary by property size, quality, and management.
What does it cost to buy an investment property in San Marcos?
Live MLS pricing for San Marcos is shown above, sourced directly from the MLS and updated continuously. Compare the median price against average STR revenue of $26,951/year to estimate gross yield.
What short-term rental rules apply in San Marcos?
San Marcos falls under City of San Marcos short-term rental rules: Annual STR permit with mandatory safety inspection; Deckard portal for registration. 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 San Marcos 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
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