Key findings include:
- In Honolulu, Hawaii, the median nightly cost of a pet-friendly Airbnb is $511 — the most expensive rate of any top tourist destination in the U.S. That equates to the highest price premium of any city (209% or $346).
- In contrast, Oklahoma City, Okla., offers the cheapest rate ($110) for a pet-friendly rental, equating to a premium of just 12% (or $12).
- Seven Californian cities rank among the top 10 cities with the most expensive price premium for pet-friendly rentals, led by Monterey at $246.
- Pet-friendly rentals in Juneau, Alaska (-13% or -$25), and Puerto Rico (-3% or -$4) carry the cheapest premiums.
Pet-Friendly Rentals in Honolulu Are More Expensive Than Anywhere Else in the U.S.
A 2021 survey by Hilton revealed that Honolulu is the most popular vacation destination Americans want to visit. However, tourists with pets may find that suitable rentals are far from cheap in the Hawaiian capital, with a typical pet-friendly Airbnb costing $511 per night.
That’s more than any other tourist destination in the country and more than three times the median nightly cost of all cities in our research ($161).
Likely a factor is Honolulu’s high tourist taxes, including a statewide transient accommodations tax of 10.25% and the city’s added 3% surcharge.
Monterey, Calif., Ranks Among the Cities Where Pet-Friendly Rentals Carry the Highest Percentage Price Premium
Honolulu also tops our ranking of vacation hotspots with the biggest price premium (%) per night — 209.39%. Monterey, Calif., ranks next, where guests with pets will need to pay a price premium of 93.71% for a rental.
Strict regulations in Monterey County mean that short-term rental owners are subject to various taxes and fees, so pet fees could add peace of mind to rental hosts worried about potentially pricey pet-related repairs.
In New York, pet-friendly rentals carry a 53.96% price premium. Stricter local laws introduced in September 2023 only approve short-term rentals where the owner also lives in the property.
This has significantly reduced the pool of available rentals in New York by more than 80% and pushed up the prices of the remaining legally operating hosts.
Pet-Friendly Rentals in Juneau, Alaska, Carry the Cheapest Percentage Price Premium in the Country
In Juneau, a typical pet-friendly rental goes for -12.50% less per night than a non-pet-friendly rental — the largest negative premium in our research. Like New York, new local laws require short-term rental owners to register their listing officially with the city.
Puerto Rico ranks next, where pet-friendly rentals carry a -2.53% price premium. According to BringFido, this U.S. territory — a leading vacation destination for Americans — boasts a host of pet-friendly hotels, parks, and restaurants.
Note that U.S. tourists need to acquire an interstate health certificate from a veterinarian to bring their pet into Puerto Rico.
In California, Pet-Friendly Rentals Are Much More Expensive Than Rentals That Don’t Allow Pets
In terms of the actual premium paid in dollars for a pet-friendly rental, Honolulu leads again ($345.50), but most of the ranking is taken up by Californian cities, including Sonoma ($180), Santa Cruz ($110) and San Francisco ($106).
Interestingly, California is one state where it’s illegal for short-term rental owners to charge pet fees for emotional support animals.
In Las Vegas, a typical pet-friendly rental costs $77 more than a non-pet-friendly rental. Here, in a city home to the priciest hotel rates in the country, select hotels charge additional fees and deposits for pets.
Take Caesar’s Palace, where guests can check in a maximum of two dogs (up to 50 pounds each) for a nightly $100 fee and a further refundable deposit.
Dog-Loving Cities Rank Among the Cheapest for Price Premiums on Pet-Friendly Rentals
Leading the U.S. tourist destinations with the lowest price premiums for pet-friendly rentals are Juneau (-$25 less than the median price of a non-pet-friendly rental), and the territory of Puerto Rico (-$3.50).
Detroit comes next ($9), followed by Columbus ($10) and Cleveland ($11) in Ohio. As of November 2023, lawmakers in Ohio are discussing an act that would give tax credits to landlords who allow pets in rental properties.
Based on a range of factors, including the number of local dog-friendly restaurants and dog parks, our previous research found that Nashville, Tenn., is the second-friendliest city in the U.S. for dogs.
Nashville is a great choice for an Airbnb as well, with a pet-friendly rental costing only $13 more per night than one that doesn’t allow pets.
