STR vs. MTR Calculator
Stop guessing your strategy. Compare Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb) vs Mid-Term Rentals (Corporate/Nurses) to see which maximizes your cash flow and minimizes your headaches.
Short-Term Rental (STR)
Coffee, TP, snacks per turnover.
Mid-Term Rental (MTR)
Typically 90 days for traveling nurses.
Side-by-Side Comparison
MTR is the Clear Winner
Mid-Term renting generates more profit AND requires significantly less work (only 0.3 turnovers/mo). Switch to MTR immediately.
STR Monthly Projection
MTR Monthly Projection
Financial Breakdown Comparison
STR vs. MTR: Which Real Estate Rental Strategy is Best?
Is mid-term rental more profitable than Airbnb? Discover the hidden costs of turnovers and find out how to calculate your true cash flow.
The Rise of Mid-Term Rentals (MTR) vs. Short-Term Rentals (STR)
For years, real estate investors defaulted to Short-Term Rentals (STR)—listing properties on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO for premium nightly rates. However, with increasing local regulations, market saturation, and rising OTA platform fees, many hosts are pivoting to a more stable strategy: Mid-Term Rentals (MTR).
MTRs—often referred to as corporate housing or traveling nurse housing—cater to guests needing fully furnished stays for 30 to 90 days. Platforms like Furnished Finder or direct corporate contracts have made this niche highly lucrative, offering the perfect middle ground between the high cash flow of Airbnb and the low effort of a traditional long-term lease.
The Hidden Cost of Turnover Fatigue
Many investors look purely at the gross revenue. However, operating an STR means managing 5 to 10 turnovers a month. Each turnover requires coordinating cleaners, buying consumables (coffee, snacks, toilet paper), paying high OTA fees, and managing guest communications. This makes STR an active job, not passive income. Our calculator quantifies this "Turnover Effort" so you know exactly how much physical labor is required for your profit.
How to Use the STR vs MTR Calculator
To accurately compare your Airbnb vs Furnished Finder profitability, follow these steps:
- Input your STR Metrics: Enter your expected nightly rate and occupancy for a traditional Airbnb setup. Be honest about your local search visibility and off-season dips.
- Add STR Expenses: Include your monthly utility costs, the OTA fee percentage, and crucially, the price of consumables you provide per stay.
- Input your MTR Metrics: Enter what you could charge a monthly tenant. MTR placement fees are usually a low flat rate or a much smaller percentage compared to Airbnb.
- Analyze the Smart Verdict: Check the real-time chart to see if the extra money from STR is actually worth the physical effort of the extra monthly cleanings.
*Note: If you are operating a highly unique property—like a Geodesic Dome or A-Frame cabin—your STR rates will naturally be much higher than standard apartments. You can evaluate the specific payback period for those structures using our Glamping ROI Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a Mid-Term Rental (MTR)?
A mid-term rental is a fully furnished property rented for periods spanning from 30 days up to 6 months. The most common tenants are traveling healthcare professionals, corporate workers on relocation, and families waiting for home construction to finish.
Is a Mid-Term rental more profitable than Airbnb?
Gross revenue is almost always higher with Airbnb (STR). However, when you factor in the massive reduction in cleaning fees, lower platform commissions, fewer void periods, and reduced utility usage, the net profit of an MTR often matches or exceeds an STR—with 90% less management effort.
Do I need to furnish an MTR differently than an STR?
Yes. While STR guests care about aesthetics and "Instagrammable" moments, MTR tenants care about livability. You must provide a fully equipped kitchen (pots, pans, full-size appliances), dedicated workspaces with high-speed internet, and blackout curtains (especially for traveling nurses working night shifts).