How Much Can You Earn from a Short-Term Rental in the Poconos?
- Jeremiah Noll
- Sep 14
- 5 min read
Updated September 2025
TLDR: In Monroe County, most short-term rentals gross between $40,000 and $80,000 per year, with top properties near lakes or ski resorts breaking $100,000. Owners usually keep 40% to 60% after taxes, utilities, cleaning, and management. Net ROI is what matters, not gross revenue.
If you own or are considering buying a short-term rental in the Poconos, you have probably asked the big question: How much can I make on Airbnb or Vrbo here?
The truth is that gross income numbers are everywhere online and most are misleading. At Galvanized Management, we have managed STRs that grossed $90,000 and still lost money, and others that grossed $42,000 and netted a strong return.
The difference is never just the nightly rate. It comes down to zoning, setup, expenses, and operational consistency.
Here is what short-term rentals in the Poconos really earn and how to calculate whether it is worth it.
What Drives STR Income in the Poconos
The strongest earning homes check certain boxes:
Legal zoning and an active STR permit
Location near a major draw like Camelback, Kalahari, Mount Airy, or a lake
Either 2 bedrooms for budget travelers or 5+ bedrooms for groups
Driveway space for at least 3 cars
Updated finishes and guest-friendly layouts
High-demand amenities like a hot tub, outdoor deck, or reliable Wi-Fi
Miss two or three of these and your ceiling drops fast, especially in off-season months.
Gross STR Income Ranges in Monroe County
Here is what we see across our managed and audited properties in 2025:
Important: these are gross numbers, not profit.
Net Income: What Owners Actually Keep
Use this formula to estimate:
Net STR Income = Gross Revenue
-Cleaning (if owner-paid)
-Property taxes
-Utilities (electric, propane, water/sewer or septic)
-HOA dues (if any)
-Trash, plowing, pest, lawn
-Repairs + replacements
-Management (if using a company like us)
Expenses in Monroe County typically eat up 35% to 55% of gross STR income, depending on how the home is set up and whether it's self-managed.
Example: 3BR Chalet in Tobyhanna:
Gross income: $55,000
Cleaning fees (owner-paid): $6,000
Taxes: $4,500
Utilities: $5,800
HOA dues: $1,500
Trash, snow, pest, lawn: $2,400
Maintenance and repairs: $2,000
Management (10%): $5,500
Net income: ~$27,300
If you invested $350,000 total into purchase and setup, that is a net ROI of 7.8%.
Seasonality and Revenue Volatility in the Poconos
STRs in the Poconos earn most of their income in just five to six months:
June to August: peak lake and summer rentals
September to October: strong fall weekends, softer weekdays
December to February: ski homes dominate
March to May: weakest demand unless the property has a year-round draw
We regularly see 65% to 75% of gross income earned in peak months. Planning for off-season matters just as much as hitting summer or ski season.
The Cost of Self-Management vs Hiring a Manager
Self-management can raise net ROI, but only if you are local and experienced. Most out-of-state or first-time owners underestimate the workload: guest messaging, emergency calls, septic and snow issues, township inspections, and cleaning consistency.
At Galvanized Management, our in-house model handles everything from pricing and calendar optimization to maintenance and compliance.
That is how owners avoid burnout and keep more of what they earn.
Jeremiah’s Take: Run Net Math, Not AirDNA Screenshots
AirDNA and Airbnb projections often overinflate gross income by 20% to 40% while ignoring septic capacity, HOA rules, or seasonal lulls.
What matters is:
Legal permits and compliance
Consistent cleaning and inspections
Seasonal pricing strategy
Tracking costs down to the dollar
Systems that protect guest reviews and NOI
You do not need to gross $100,000 to make money. You need a property that runs clean, legal, and consistent. Contact us to start the conversation.
FAQ: How Much Do Poconos Short-Term Rentals Earn
How much do Poconos STRs make per year?
Most legal STRs in Monroe County gross $40,000 to $80,000 annually. High-performing lakefront or ski homes can exceed $100,000, but net profit usually lands at 40% to 60% of gross.
What is a realistic net income for a 3-bedroom STR?
A typical 3BR chalet that grosses $55,000 per year nets $25,000 to $30,000 after taxes, utilities, cleaning, and management. Self-managing can raise net, but most owners underestimate the workload.
Can you really hit six figures with a Poconos STR?
Yes, but rarely. Six-figure gross usually requires 5+ bedrooms, hot tubs, lake or ski access, and full permits. Net income after expenses is often half of that number.
What months are most profitable for STRs in the Poconos?
June to August, late September to late October, and December to February. March through May is consistently the weakest period.
What percentage of income do owners actually keep?
Most keep 45% to 60% of gross after expenses. For example, a home grossing $70,000 may net $35,000 to $40,000 depending on management and setup.
What kills STR profits in Monroe County, PA?
Missed permits, septic failures, inflated cleaning costs, cheap vendors, weak spring bookings, and bad reviews.
How do HOA rules impact STR income?
HOAs can add $500 to $2,000 per year in dues, limit guest amenities, or require tenant registration. Township inspections and permits also factor into true net ROI.
Is it worth self-managing an STR in the Poconos?
Only if you are local and prepared for emergencies. Out-of-state owners often burn out or lose profit through 4-star reviews, inconsistent cleaning, or missed inspections.
How can Galvanized Management help?
We run full in-house STR systems: permits, cleaning, pricing, calendar optimization, inspections, and emergency response. That is how owners keep more of their net income.
About the Author
Jeremiah Noll is the founder of Galvanized Management, a fully licensed property management brokerage based in the Poconos. A former math teacher turned real estate investor, he built his company from firsthand experience managing rentals, flips, and township compliance. Today, Galvanized Management oversees more than 175 short-term and long-term rentals with a trusted in-house team.
Reviews & Testimonials
We manage short and long-term rentals across the Poconos and help owners protect ROI, stay compliant, and improve guest experience. Read more client testimonials.
"Jeremiah and his team do an amazing job with my Short Term Rental Property. The communication is great and I always get a prompt response. His team is the complete package and will get you whatever you need in a time crunch; from weird guest requests (extra fridge!) to genuine issues in the Poconos--power outage in mid winter! Would give more stars if I could."
-Maya Moh
"GMG Clean is a thoroughly professional and supportive partner for my short-term rental in Monroe County, PA. They are proactive, organized and caring. Living outside of PA and investing in the Poconos required me to have a strategic partner that communicates in a timely fashion, provide leadership on the ground with inspections of every clean and treating my vacation home like it is theirs. You can't go wrong by choosing this team."
-Susan Linyear
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