Kemah Airbnb Market Data
Kemah is one of 8 neighborhoods in the Galveston Airbnb market (6,718 active listings, $45,899 average annual revenue). Figures below are trailing twelve months for entire-home rentals, benchmarked against the city average. Check the Galveston short-term rental regulations before underwriting, since rules differ by jurisdiction.
Kemah Performance Data
STR benchmarks against the rest of Galveston and where Kemah ranks among its neighborhoods.
Kemah vs Galveston Average
Short-term rental performance compared to the citywide average (Surge market data, trailing 12 months)
Where Kemah Ranks
STR market score across all 8 Galveston neighborhoods — Kemah highlighted
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View Galveston market analysis →The Surge Take: Kemah
Kemah scores 56.0/100 on Surge's STR market score, ranking #7 of 8 Galveston-area submarkets we track. That's in the lower tier of the Galveston 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 $33,836/year — about 26% below the Galveston metro average, so unit selection and design matter more than usual.
The revenue profile is a $218 average daily rate at 51% occupancy (RevPAR $93). 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, Kemah falls under City of Kemah, which allows short-term rentals with compliance requirements — $450 annual STR permit with mandatory city inspection; up to $150 credit for sound monitoring. Registration-style regimes are manageable and tend to thin out casual competition, which can favor professional operators.
Generated from live Surge market data: short term rental performance metrics and our jurisdiction-level regulation tracking. Not investment advice.
Kemah STR Regulations
RegulatedJurisdiction: City of Kemah · Last verified 2026-08-12
$450 annual STR permit with mandatory city inspection; up to $150 credit for sound monitoring
Kemah (Ordinance 1198) requires all STRs to register with the city and obtain an annual permit. The standard fee is $450/year (calendar-year permits expiring December 31), with a credit of up to $150 for owners who install an approved sound-monitoring system. Within 30 days of application the city conducts an on-site inspection that sets maximum occupancy, on-site parking, and verifies health/safety standards. Operators collect the 7% city HOT, remitted monthly or quarterly.
- •$450 annual STR permit (calendar year, expires Dec 31; renewals from Nov 1)
- •Up to $150 permit-fee credit for an approved sound level monitoring system
- •Mandatory on-site city inspection within 30 days of application (sets max occupancy and parking)
- •Health and safety standards compliance before issuance
- •7% city HOT reported monthly or quarterly
- •6% state HOT via Texas Comptroller
HOA covenants and deed restrictions can prohibit short-term rentals regardless of City of Kemah rules — always review them before purchasing. Surge handles permitting, registration, and lodging 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.
Kemah STR Investment FAQ
Is Kemah a good area for Airbnb investment?
Kemah ranks #7 of 8 Galveston neighborhoods with an STR market score of 56.0/100. Short-term rentals here earn an average of $33,836/year at a $218 average daily rate and 51% occupancy.
How much do Airbnbs make in Kemah, Galveston?
The average short-term rental in Kemah generates $33,836 in annual revenue, with an average daily rate of $218 and RevPAR of $93. Individual results vary by property size, quality, and management.
What short-term rental rules apply in Kemah?
Kemah falls under City of Kemah short-term rental rules: $450 annual STR permit with mandatory city inspection; up to $150 credit for sound monitoring. See the regulations section on this page for requirements, taxes, and sources — note that HOA and deed restrictions can also apply.
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- Underwritten with real revenue dataProjected revenue, ADR and occupancy from comparable STRs, not listing-agent guesses.
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More Galveston Neighborhoods
Compare Kemah against other top-ranked Galveston 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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