Ithaca, New York Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Ithaca Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating6.9
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Competition
8.2 -
Real Estate Cost
7.3 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
5.1 -
Rental Rates
6.8
Ithaca, New York Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 32,108
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Tompkins
- Airports
- Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH)
- Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM)
Want to learn more about Ithaca?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Ithaca rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Ithaca rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Ithaca.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Ithaca guests.
Interested in other New York cities?
Check out the New York Airbnb rules directory
What makes Ithaca a great place to invest?
- Awe-inspiring waterfalls: Ithaca is home to over 150 majestic waterfalls, with the jaw-dropping Taughannock Falls taking center stage. Standing at 215 feet tall, it surpasses even Niagara Falls in height, offering visitors a breathtaking spectacle to admire.
- Cornell Botanic Gardens: This sprawling 3,600-acre wonderland showcases a diverse array of flora and fauna, with themed gardens, arboretum, and nature trails. It's a picturesque retreat for plant lovers and anyone seeking tranquility amidst natural beauty.
- Finger Lakes Wine Country: Ithaca is nestled within the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country, a world-renowned wine region boasting over 100 wineries. Embark on a tasting tour and savor the exquisite local Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, and ice wines.
- Ithaca Farmers Market: Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Ithaca Farmers Market, where you can find farm-fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and handcrafted gifts. With live music and delicious food stalls, it's a vibrant weekend destination for locals and tourists alike.
- Outdoor adventure galore: The city is surrounded by an abundance of state parks, forests, and gorges, offering ample opportunities for hiking, biking, and kayaking. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll around Cayuga Lake or a challenging hike through Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca caters to all levels of adventure-seekers.
- Enthralling arts and culture scene: Home to the renowned Ivy League university, Cornell, Ithaca is a hub of intellectual and artistic pursuits. Discover the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, catch a performance at the Hangar Theatre, or attend one of the city's many cultural festivals to experience Ithaca's creative spirit.
Ithaca Nearby Cities
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45 miles away
- Rating: 7.5
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75 miles away
- Rating: 6.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Ithaca?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Ithaca has decreased -1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $204, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$384,874
-1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$204
-2% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,841
10% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Ithaca, New York
Common terms for Ithaca short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Ithaca has a description approximately 1,474 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 970 listings in Ithaca, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Ithaca, Beautiful, Ithaca College, Deck, Downtown Ithaca, Cornell, Quiet, Yard, Cayuga Lake, and Family.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Ithaca?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Ithaca involve Winery Tours, Hiking, Cycling, Swimming, and Boating. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Winery Tours
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Hiking
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Cycling
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Swimming
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Boating
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Antiquing
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Museums
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Kayaking
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Ice Skating
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Adventure Activities
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Health Spa
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Wildlife Viewing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Ithaca, including Cornell University, Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Ithaca College, Cascades Indoor Waterpark, and Buttermilk Falls State Park. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Cornell University
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Ithaca College
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Buttermilk Falls State Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cayuga Lake
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Ithaca Commons
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Robert H. Treman State Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Taughannock Falls State Park
Included on 89% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Greek Peak Mountain Resort
Included on 1% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cascades Indoor Waterpark
Included on 1% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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State Theatre of Ithaca
Included on 1% of listings
What’s the weather like in Ithaca, New York?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 58°, while the average low is about 40°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 28 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 24 inches per year. The humidity levels in Ithaca are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
21° Low 35° High
Spring
March through May
38° Low 57° High
Summer
June through August
59° Low 79° High
Fall
September through November
43° Low 60° High
Cities Near Ithaca
Ithaca, New York, is located in Tompkins County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
