I grew up with a basketball in one hand and a box score in the other. My life was all late-night practices, cheap cafeteria food, and coaches yelling about discipline while we ran until the lights went out.
I was never the tallest player, but I could see the game before it happened: angles, timing, spacing. That was how I survived on the court.
When I got into real estate, I realized it felt a lot like basketball. Scouting markets was just another form of film study. Some cities are all offense with great returns, but no regulation defense. Others lock down so hard you can’t even get a shot off. The goal is to find the ones that play both ends of the floor and give you a full season of wins.
That mindset is what built this list. I wanted to see which NBA cities actually make sense for short-term rental investors. I looked for places where the numbers check out, home prices make sense, and the local team keeps the city energized long enough to fill Airbnbs after a big home game.
To be clear: This isn’t a master list of the best vacation markets in the country. I wouldn’t buy in half of these places unless I lived nearby or was building a business on the ground. These aren’t your heavy-hitting beach towns or mountain escapes that book all year. They’re urban markets with real potential if the local team can keep fans coming back and the city stays busy for at least 40 to 50 games a year.
This list is meant to be fun. It’s a mix of data, basketball, and market scouting for people who love the game and the grind. If you still check box scores and Redfin listings in the same morning, you’re in the right place.
Methodology
Each market was scored on four factors:
- Short-term rental performance (occupancy rate, average daily rate, and annual revenue)
- Median home price
- Local regulations
- NBA team outlook for the next five years
Data comes from market analytics (Airbtics, AirROI) and housing reports (Zillow), as well as commentary from sports analysts at Sportsnet.
The Top 8
8. Charlotte, NC: Hornets
STR data: 60% occupancy | $135 ADR | ~$30K annual revenue | $395K home value
Regulations: Easy registration + local taxes
Outlook: LaMelo Ball’s health is key, but this team’s still more “play-in hopeful” than playoff lock.
Best property type: Three-bedroom homes in family suburbs—perfect for visiting families and road-trip fans.
7. Detroit, MI: Pistons
STR data: 55% occupancy | $141 ADR | ~$27K annual revenue | $78K home value
Regulations: STR license + guest limits
Outlook: Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey lead a patient rebuild. Expect demand to grow as the team matures.
Best property type: Three-bedroom houses or duplexes near downtown—group-friendly setups dominate.
6. San Antonio, TX: Spurs
STR data: 60% occupancy | $135 ADR | ~$28K annual revenue | $249K home value
Regulations: Strict permits and taxes
Outlook: All eyes on Wemby. Even if wins take time, his stardom keeps fans and tourists coming.
Best property type: Four-bedroom family house —70%+ of listings already fit that mold.
5. Twin Cities, Minnesota: Timberwolves
STR data: 67% occupancy | $154 ADR | ~$37K annual revenue | $324K home value
Regulations: Moderate oversight
Outlook: Anthony Edwards is entering superstar mode. Deep playoff runs mean packed downtown stays.
Best property type: Houses or one-bedroom lofts—couples and sports tourists mix here.
4. Houston, TX: Rockets
STR data: 59% occupancy | $143 ADR | ~$30K annual revenue | $262K home value
Regulations: Medium—few restrictions, but permits and regulations are required to be followed.
Outlook: Kevin Durant’s arrival plus a top-five defense make Houston a legit title threat over the next five years. Expect full hotels, packed Airbnbs, and rising rates.
Best property type: Three-bedroom homes—families and fans want space close to Toyota Center.
3. Cleveland, OH: Cavaliers
After winning 64 games last season, the Cavaliers ranked No. 1 in offense and No. 10 in defense; they bring back the same core. With the Eastern Conference wide open due to other contenders’ injuries, Sportsnet predicts Cleveland as a championship favorite.
- STR data: 61% occupancy | $116 ADR | ~$25K annual revenue | $112K home value
- Regulations: Lenient | Simple registration and local tax collection
- Outlook: Championship contender and the league’s top offense keep fans traveling and bookings steady
- Best property type: Two- to- three-bedroom houses, close to downtown and Rocket Arena for easy access to games
2. Oklahoma City, OK: Thunder
The Thunder are the reigning champs. Sportsnet emphasizes that after winning 68 games with injuries and becoming the youngest title-winning team ever, there’s no reason to doubt them. A core led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren has multiple first-round picks coming, meaning sustained relevance.
- STR data: 62% occupancy | $124 ADR | ~$28K annual revenue | $203K home value
- Regulations: Lenient | Simple registration and tax setup
- Outlook: Defending champions and the youngest title team in NBA history keep national attention on OKC and bring steady tourism.
- Best property type: Three-bedroom houses and townhomes, close to Paycom Center and family-friendly for traveling fans
1. Orlando, FL: Magic
Orlando isn’t just Mickey Mouse and roller coasters; it’s the undisputed champion of NBA-linked STR markets. Airbtics data for the Disney World/Kissimmee area reveal an astounding 83% occupancy rate, a $256 ADR, and ~$73K in annual revenue, with 947 active listings. Regulations are lenient—hosts may need to register and collect local tourism taxes, but the city welcomes vacation rentals. The typical Orlando home value is $374,018, down 4.5% YoY.
On the court, the Magic are primed for a breakout. They started last season 14-7 before injuries; with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner healthy and Desmond Bane arriving, their bottom five offense could catch up to a No. 2 ranked defense, making a conference finals run plausible. Between year-round theme park tourism and a rising basketball team, Orlando offers both seasonal and sports-driven bookings.
- STR data: 83% occupancy | $256 ADR | ~$73K annual revenue | $374K home value
- Regulations: Lenient | Simple registration and local tax requirements
- Outlook: A rising contender, and a healthy Banchero, Wagner, and Banes core keeps Orlando exciting for fans and investors alike.
- Best property type: Four-to-six-bedroom pool homes, ideal for families near Disney parks and Kia Center
Final Thoughts
As with basketball, success in short-term rental investing comes from understanding the fundamentals and exploiting mismatches.
Markets like Orlando and Oklahoma City combine high occupancy, solid pricing power, favorable regulations, and teams trending toward contention. Mid-tier markets such as Houston and Minneapolis offer respectable returns with room to grow, thanks to improving teams. Value plays like Cleveland and Detroit rely on extremely low home prices and potential upside from developing rosters.
No matter which market you choose, always study local ordinances, account for seasonality, and position your property to win fans. Whether guests are in town for a playoff game, a theme park vacation, or a weekend exploring the local scene, you need to be near the action. After all, nothing beats hearing the roar of a crowd from your own cash flowing “arena.”
