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STR Arbitrage Breakeven Calculator

Rental arbitrage: sublease long-term lease as STR. Must hit occupancy to break even.

Long-term rent / mo

STR nightly rate

Utilities + wifi / mo

Cleaning + supplies / turn

Turns / month

Furnishing / month

Breakeven nights / mo

Monthly cost

$3,305

Net per night

$114.09

How the math works

Monthly cost = rent + utilities + cleaning × turns + furnishing. Net/night = rate − (cleaning/22).

$2,200 + $175 + $680 + $250 = $3,305. $145 − $31 = $114. 29 nights breakeven — too high.

Editorial noteMaintained by EveryCalc - Reviewed June 2026

EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.

Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.

Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.

How this calculator works

What this page estimates

This STR Arbitrage Breakeven Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for str arbitrage breakeven. Rental arbitrage: sublease long-term lease as STR. Must hit occupancy to break even. The inputs stay on the page during normal use, and the result should be treated as an estimate for planning, comparison, or education rather than professional advice.

Calculation approach

The calculator applies the standard relationship implied by the inputs, then formats the answer so it can be checked and reused. For finance tools, the most important step is using consistent units, rates, time periods, and assumptions before comparing the result with another calculator or outside quote.

Example workflow

For example, start with a realistic value you already know, change one input at a time, and watch how the answer moves. That makes it easier to tell whether the result is being driven by the main amount, the rate, the time period, or a unit conversion.

Practical checks

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How to interpret the str arbitrage breakeven result

Best use

Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.

Cross-check

Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.

Watch for

Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.

This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.

Before relying on this str arbitrage breakeven estimate

Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.

Confirm source numbers

Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.

Separate cash flow from total cost

A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.

Run conservative cases

Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.

Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.

How to Use

Enter long-term rent.
Enter STR nightly rate.
Enter utilities + wifi cost.
Enter cleaning + supplies / turn.
Enter turns per month.
Enter furnishing amortization.
Read breakeven nights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is STR arbitrage?

Business model: sign long-term apartment lease. Furnish. Sublease as short-term rental. Landlord lease permits (critical). Operator captures margin between long-term rent and STR revenue. Popular since 2016. Risks: lease violations (if not permitted), regulatory crackdowns, market softening, property damage.

Unit economics?

Urban 1BR apartment: $2,500/mo lease + $200 utilities + $2,000 furnishing amortized over 24 months = $83/mo + $400 cleaning/supplies = $3,283/mo total cost. STR rate $130/night × 22 nights/mo × 75% occ = $2,145 revenue. NEGATIVE $1,138. Need: higher rate ($175+) or higher occupancy (100%+ impossible) = tough economics in 2024.

Where does arbitrage work?

Tourist destinations with seasonal peaks: Miami, Nashville, Vegas, coastal towns. Business travel hubs: select markets. Tight vacancy markets hurt: landlord competes for STR rents. Expensive apartment markets (NYC, SF): regulatory + cost challenges. Best: mid-tier tourist towns with 30-50% below-urban rents and STR premium 80-150%.

Legal considerations?

Lease clause 'subletting prohibited': blocks arbitrage legally. Landlord must permit in writing. Many cities banned non-owner STR (NYC, LA, SF, Boston, DC, etc.). STR registration + host-required-on-site rules. Violation: lease termination, fines, business shutdown. Arbitrage viable only where: (1) Lease permits, (2) City permits, (3) HOA permits (condo).