The New Landlord Playbook: Monthly Rentals Reshape the Housing Market

AUSTIN, TX – January 14, 2026 – A quiet but powerful transformation is underway in the American housing market, moving beyond the well-documented boom in short-term vacation stays. A new report reveals that furnished monthly rentals are not only a burgeoning sector but are growing at twice the pace of their short-term counterparts, signaling a structural shift in how and where Americans live.

The first-of-its-kind report, a joint effort by monthly rental platform Furnished Finder and data analytics firm AirDNA, paints a vivid picture of a market segment that has evolved from a niche offering to a significant pillar of the U.S. lodging ecosystem. Fueled by a confluence of economic pressures, new work paradigms, and regulatory crackdowns, this "mid-term" rental category is creating new opportunities for property owners and solving critical housing needs for a mobile population.

The Data-Driven Shift

The numbers are stark. According to the report, which combines AirDNA's vast dataset from platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo with Furnished Finder's platform insights, the demand for stays of 28 days or more is surging. Nights stayed in these monthly rentals have skyrocketed by 136% since 2019, jumping from 20 million to 46 million nights annually. In contrast, demand for traditional short-term stays of less than a month grew by a more modest 52% over the same period.

This accelerated growth means monthly rentals now constitute nearly one-fifth of all rental demand. The supply side tells a similar story of explosive expansion. Furnished Finder, a platform specializing in this segment, has seen its property listings swell from just 20,000 before the pandemic to over 300,000 today.

"This report confirms what we've been seeing on the ground: monthly rentals are not a temporary trend, but a structural shift in housing – reshaping how Americans live, work, and move," stated Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder.

The findings are built on a robust methodology. AirDNA utilizes sophisticated algorithms to track over 10 million listings, differentiating between actual bookings and days blocked off by owners to ensure data accuracy. This analytical rigor underscores the report's central thesis: the pivot to monthly rentals is a clear, persistent, and data-backed trend.

A Perfect Storm: Regulations, Remote Work, and Affordability

The rapid ascent of the monthly rental market is not accidental; it's the result of powerful macroeconomic and regulatory forces converging at once. One of the most significant "push" factors has been the tightening of regulations on short-term rentals (STRs) in major cities.

In New York City, the implementation of Local Law 18 in 2023 decimated the STR market for stays under 30 days. The law, which requires hosts to be present during the stay and register with the city, caused listings to plummet by over 80%. In response, many property owners have pivoted to the 30-day-plus model to remain compliant. Similarly, Los Angeles's Home-Sharing Ordinance, with its 120-day annual cap and strict registration requirements, has made the monthly rental model a more attractive and less legally fraught option for many hosts.

"By combining our market intelligence with Furnished Finder's insights, we've uncovered how mobility and affordability are transforming the rental economy," shared Jamie Lane, SVP of Analytics at AirDNA.

Beyond regulations, the seismic shift to remote and hybrid work has created a new class of "purpose-driven travelers." Digital nomads, remote tech workers, and other professionals untethered from a central office now have the freedom to live in different locations for a month or more at a time. This demographic seeks the convenience of a furnished home without the commitment of a year-long lease.

Compounding these trends is a nationwide housing affordability crisis. For many, the prospect of saving for a down payment or committing to long-term rent in an uncertain economy is daunting. Monthly rentals offer a flexible, lower-commitment alternative, particularly for those relocating for a new job or navigating a life transition.

The 'Goldilocks' Investment for Property Owners

For property owners, the monthly rental model is emerging as a "Goldilocks" strategy—a balanced approach that sits comfortably between the high volatility of STRs and the lower returns of traditional long-term leases.

The report highlights that these longer bookings provide a stable income stream, particularly during the off-season, which can be a major challenge for vacation rental owners. It also drastically cuts down on operational burdens. The data suggests that switching from short-term to monthly rentals can reduce turnover costs—such as cleaning, restocking, and management fees—by up to 70%.

This isn't just a fallback plan for STR hosts facing new regulations. According to Furnished Finder, a striking 65% of its landlords exclusively operate a monthly rental model, indicating a deliberate strategic choice. One property owner in Los Angeles, who previously operated a short-term rental, noted that they switched to 30-day-plus stays because they "got tired of having someone new in the house every few days" and wanted to avoid the constant stress of regulatory compliance. For many, the reduced effort and more predictable revenue deliver comparable, or even higher, net returns with far less hassle.

A New Breed of Renter, A New Kind of Rental

The demand for monthly rentals is driven by a diverse group of tenants who prioritize functionality and value. Unlike tourists seeking luxury, these renters are often traveling for a specific purpose. The demographic includes traveling nurses and healthcare professionals on temporary assignment, corporate consultants, construction crews, and families in the process of relocating.

Affordability is a primary driver. The report finds that 55% of renters on Furnished Finder search for properties priced at or below $2,500 per month. The demand also skews heavily toward smaller, practical spaces, with 85% of property page views being for units with two bedrooms or less.

These renters prioritize amenities that support a longer, more integrated stay. A dedicated workspace and reliable high-speed internet are now non-negotiable for the remote worker. Other highly sought-after features include in-unit laundry, a full kitchen, and pet-friendly policies, all of which contribute to making a temporary space feel more like a real home.

While demand remains strong in major urban hubs like New York and Los Angeles, the report reveals that the most significant growth is occurring in employment corridors, areas with large hospital networks, and more affordable secondary markets—not just traditional tourist hotspots. This indicates a deep, unmet need for flexible housing tied to economic activity and workforce mobility across the country. As this sector cements its role in the housing economy, it offers a clear roadmap for investors, hosts, and policymakers navigating a market increasingly defined by flexibility and affordability.