How do STR platform fees affect returns?

Platform fees reduce gross booking revenue before operating expenses. This calculator applies your fee percentage to gross nightly revenue after occupancy.

What occupancy makes short-term rental worth it vs long-term?

It depends on nightly rate, fees, and expenses. Raise occupancy or nightly rate until STR cash flow and NOI beat your long-term rent scenario on the same financing.

CalculatorIowa

STR vs LTR calculator — Iowa

Iowa rental performance varies widely by city size and employer base. Default rent inputs reflect HUD FMR data—compare financing and rent paths before locking assumptions. Same math as the national STR vs LTR calculator; numbers are educational—not lender instructions.

Calculator

STR vs LTR

Compare operating scenarios on the same financing. Adjust occupancy, fees, and rent to see cash flow and coverage.

Δ cash flow $2,647 · Purchase $300,000

STR cash flow

$1,152

LTR cash flow

-$1,495

STR DSCR

1.72

LTR DSCR

0.06

STR assumptions

Nightly ($)

Occupancy %

Platform fee %

LTR assumptions

Monthly rent

Vacancy %

STR-only $/mo

LTR-only $/mo

Shared $/mo

Mortgage $/mo

Purchase

Down %

Ownership %

Results

Δ Cash flow

$2,647

Δ NOI/yr

$31,761

STR CF

$1,152

LTR CF

-$1,495

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STR vs LTR calculator

Compare short-term (nightly) and long-term rent on the same property. STR uses annual occupancy and platform fees; LTR uses contract rent and vacancy. Shared mortgage and purchase price apply to both—numbers are illustrative.

Short-term (STR)

Nightly rate ($)

Annual occupancy %

Platform fee % (of gross)

STR-only monthly expenses

Long-term (LTR)

Monthly rent ($)

Vacancy %

LTR-only monthly expenses

Shared

Shared monthly expenses

Total mortgage payment / mo

Purchase price

Down payment %

Ownership %

Comparison

Δ Monthly cash flow (STR − LTR)

$2,647

Δ NOI (annual, STR − LTR)

$31,761

Short-term (STR)

Effective monthly income

$3,549

Monthly cash flow

$1,152

NOI (annual)

$32,991

Cap rate

11.00%

DSCR

1.72

Above 1.0 covers debt

Cash-on-cash

23.05%

Long-term (LTR)

Effective monthly rent

$903

Monthly cash flow

-$1,495

NOI (annual)

$1,230

Cap rate

0.41%

DSCR

0.06

Below 1.0 is tight

Cash-on-cash

-29.89%

STR gross bookings = nights booked × nightly rate (nights = 365 × occupancy %). Net of platform fees = gross × (1 − fee %). LTR uses contract rent with vacancy. Loan balance = purchase × (1 − down %).

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Frequently asked questions

How do STR platform fees affect returns?: Platform fees reduce gross booking revenue before operating expenses. This calculator applies your fee percentage to gross nightly revenue after occupancy.
What occupancy makes short-term rental worth it vs long-term?: It depends on nightly rate, fees, and expenses. Raise occupancy or nightly rate until STR cash flow and NOI beat your long-term rent scenario on the same financing.

Real estate investing in Iowa

Weather and utility swings can hit older homes harder. Model insurance and maintenance with local quotes where possible.

Typical 2BR rent: ~$950/mo
Effective property tax: ~1.53% of home value
State income tax: Up to 5.7%

Rent: HUD FMR 2025 · Property tax: Tax Foundation 2022 · Adjust all calculator inputs to match your specific deal.

Other calculators for Iowa: BRRRR Calculator · Fix and Flip Calculator. All calculators · Investment property calculator