Clients booking a short-term rental for Thanksgiving are paying more this year no matter where they’re headed. Average booked nightly rates are up 21% year over year across 27 major U.S. cities, and every one of those markets posted an increase, according to data from revenue management software company PriceLabs.
Higher prices haven’t scared off travelers. Booked nights for the Wednesday through Saturday of Thanksgiving week are up 4% overall, with 18 of the 27 cities running ahead of last year.
“Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel occasions in the U.S., and what’s interesting this year is that people are continuing to book stays despite paying higher nightly rates,” said Richie Khandelwal, co-founder of PriceLabs.
Columbus, Ohio, tops the list on both measures. Booked nights there are up 56% and the average rate has climbed 61% to $272, a jump that lines up with the Ohio State-Michigan football game returning to Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 28. Last year’s game was played in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Detroit (+35%), Houston (+19%), New Orleans (+17%), and Nashville (+17%) are also seeing notable gains in booked nights, while Austin and Los Angeles (both -14%) and Kansas City (-13%) are the softest markets.
New York City shows what happens when supply tightens. Rates there are up 39% to $226 a night, even as booked nights have slipped 7%, and active listings are down 16% from a year ago. San Francisco had the next-largest rate increase at 34%, while Seattle had the smallest at 7%.
For advisors with clients still shopping, New Orleans is the priciest city in the analysis at $329 a night, followed by San Diego ($312) and Nashville ($277). The lowest averages are in Salt Lake City ($124), Orlando ($147), and Portland ($152). With rates up everywhere and demand holding, the data suggests there is little reason for holiday travelers to wait for a last-minute deal.
Related Stories
Holiday Flyers Should Arrive 3 Hours Early at 10 U.S. Airports
United, American Had Worst Baggage Records in 2025: Study
Source link
