Perth can work well for short-term rentals (STRs) in 2026, but suburb choice matters. So do building rules, local compliance, and the guest type you are targeting.
In this guide, you will get:
With an average occupancy rate of 82.85% for FY24-25 (peaking at 90.4% in March 2025), short-term rentals in Perth continue to be in high demand. A balanced mix of leisure travellers, people visiting friends and family, and business travellers keeps occupancy steady year-round, even during off-peak and shoulder seasons. These trends are not just restricted to Perth; demand for the short-term rental market in South West WA is also increasing.
And while new listings in Perth were down by 28% and total listings down by 26% between October 2024 and October 2025, leading to increased competition, property investments here remain profitable, especially if you combine a good location with good operations to win strong returns.
For investors, price movement is only one part of the story. What may seem to be a decline in the property market for Perth suburbs can be mitigated by factors unique to the STR market, such as:
The best suburbs to invest in Perth for short stays usually share a few basics:
Working with an Airbnb property manager in Perth like Hometime ensures that your property is not only compliant, but also profitable:
Ask yourself these questions when you compare suburbs in Perth with very different price tags:
If the answer is “mostly yes” across the list, you've found one of the nicer suburbs in Perth to investment, putting you in a better spot.
Below is a practical shortlist. It mixes premium and more affordable suburbs that Perth investors often watch out for:
Average nightly rate: $291
Occupancy: 78%
Scarborough is a clear beach pick with broad guest appeal, situated a convenient 15 minutes from Perth’s city centre. It can suit weekend stays, school holiday trips, soaking up the sun at Scarborough Beach, couples who want a scenic walkable foreshore, Sunset Hill for evening views, beachside sunset markets, cafe and dining that transforms into a lively night scene with bars, pubs and clubs.
Average nightly rate: $332
Occupancy: 78%
Located a mere 15 minutes west of Perth CBD, Cottesloe is one of the most expensive suburbs in Perth. Known for its beautiful beaches and the foreshore with scenic views, guests are willing to pay extra for closer proximity to the beach. This location is especially popular among couples, as well as those visiting family or friends.
Average nightly rate: $227
Occupancy: 80%
Perth’s sister city, Fremantle, known as “Freo” to locals, is a destination in its own right, and that makes a real difference for STR performance. The markets, Cappuccino Strip's cafes, restaurants and pubs, Fishing Boat Harbour, and a spooky torchlit night tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison give guests a reason to stay in the suburb itself rather than just passing through, which drives both weekend and midweek bookings. It attracts visitors who want the energy of Perth but with more character, and that clear identity makes it easier to write listings that stand out and photos that sell the stay before anyone reads a word.
Average nightly rate: $221
Occupancy: 79%
Perth's CBD is less about lifestyle and more about location, and that's exactly what makes it work. Business travellers, conference attendees, government contractors and people visiting family at nearby hospitals all need somewhere central, comfortable and easy to get in and out of. Unlike beach suburbs that lean on summer, the CBD draws demand year-round, and a well-set-up property can capture a solid mix of weeknight corporate stays and weekend short breaks when events hit Perth Stadium or the Convention Centre. The key is making convenience the headline, fast check-in, good Wi-Fi, a desk, parking if possible, and a location that puts guests within walking distance of where they need to be.
These areas can be useful if you want a lower buy-in than the premium coastal suburbs, while still keeping demand healthy.
Average nightly rate: $227
Occupancy: 75%
Northbridge is Perth's entertainment hub, and guests who book there know exactly what they're coming for: restaurants, bars, and galleries within walking distance. That makes it well-suited to weekend stays and event-driven bookings, with demand picking up around concerts, festivals and sports events at nearby Perth Stadium. It's best suited to guests who want to walk everywhere, so properties that lean into the location, highlighting what's on the doorstep, tend to perform well.
Average nightly rate: $202
Occupancy: 75%
Mount Lawley has a charm that's hard to manufacture; tree-lined streets, character homes, independent cafes and a village feel that sits just minutes from the CBD. It attracts guests who want something more relaxed than the city centre but don't want to sacrifice convenience, and that tends to suit longer weekend stays and the occasional midweek booking from visitors who want a quieter base. Properties here often sell themselves on atmosphere, so listings that lead with the neighbourhood, the morning coffee walk, the local dining strip on Beaufort Street, tend to resonate more than those focused purely on the property itself.
Average nightly rate: $174
Occupancy: 81%
Rivervale is an inner-Eastern Perth suburb well-connected to the CBD, Perth Airport and Perth Stadium, which makes it a practical choice for work travellers, contractors and guests who need easy access without paying city-centre prices. That mix of affordability and convenience can also suit extended stays, where guests are less focused on what's on the doorstep and more focused on getting where they need to go. It’s positioned near Swan River for scenic walks and water views, and Cracknell Park, where kids can play in the playground, and families can walk onto the jetty for beautiful views.
How much you can earn from your STR isn't just about location, it also comes down to day-to-day management. Your returns move with demand, fast guest communication, Airbnb property styling that matches what guests are actually booking, cleaning that protects your reviews, and maintenance that stops small issues from becoming bad stays.
Get an earnings estimate from Hometime to see what your property could do with the right team behind it:
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