Cheaper airport vs local
See if driving to a farther airport saves money for your group. Compares tickets, bag fees, gas, tolls, parking, hotel nights, and drive time.
All-in trip savings
+$619
Vacation rental ($1,008 net) vs 2 hotel rooms ($1,627 net)Example calculationYes, vacation rental costs less
Over 4 nights, the vacation rental saves $619 all-in (+$519 on lodging alone before food). Even with a $165 cleaning fee and 14.2% platform fee, spreading those costs across 4 nights and saving $260 in the kitchen beats 2 hotel rooms.
All-in trip savings
+$619
Rental wins after food creditsLodging-only difference
+$519
$1,268 rental vs $1,787 hotelEffective all-in nightly
$252 vs $407
All-in per night (Rental vs Hotel)Break-even stay length
2 nights
To offset $208 cleaning + feeItemized checkout breakdown
| Cost component | Vacation rental | Hotel stay |
|---|---|---|
| Base room rate (4 nights) | $840.00 | $1,240.00 |
| Cleaning fee / Resort fees | $165.00 | $240.00 |
| Platform guest service fee | $142.71 | $0.00 |
| Occupancy and lodging taxes | $120.60 | $207.20 |
| Overnight parking total | $0.00 | $100.00 |
| Total lodging checkout bill | $1,268.31 | $1,787.20 |
| Less kitchen / free breakfast savings | -$260.00 | -$160.00 |
| All-in net trip cost | $1,008.31 | $1,627.20 |
| Effective all-in cost per night | $252.08 | $406.80 |
How stay length changes the winner
See how spreading the one-time cleaning fee across more nights lowers the rental cost per night:
| Stay length | Rental lodging | Hotel lodging | Rental all-in | Hotel all-in | Rental savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 night | $473 | $447 | $408 | $407 | -$1 |
| 2 nights | $738 | $894 | $608 | $814 | +$206 |
| 3 nights | $1,003 | $1,340 | $808 | $1,220 | +$412 |
| 4 nights (your stay) | $1,268 | $1,787 | $1,008 | $1,627 | +$619 |
| 5 nights | $1,533 | $2,234 | $1,208 | $2,034 | +$826 |
| 7 nights | $2,063 | $3,128 | $1,608 | $2,848 | +$1,239 |
How this calculator works
A house rental has a high fixed entry cost. You pay a one-time cleaning fee ($120 to $250) plus a platform fee (around 14%) before you sleep a single night. On a two-night weekend for one or two people, those fees can add $90 per night to the listed price.
Why hotels lose on multi-room family trips
Hotels charge almost no one-time fees, but their daily costs stack up per room and per night. When a family of four or six needs two or three hotel rooms, daily resort fees ($25 to $45 per room), higher hotel taxes, and overnight garage parking multiply fast. Making coffee, breakfast, and snacks in a full rental kitchen also saves $50 to $80 per day.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Airbnb or Vrbo service fee calculated?
Most booking platforms charge guests a service fee of roughly 14% to 15% on the booking subtotal, which includes both the nightly base rate and the host's one-time cleaning fee before occupancy taxes.
When does a hotel beat a vacation rental?
Hotels almost always win on one- to two-night stays for solo travelers or couples who only need one room, especially when the hotel includes free hot breakfast and free parking.
Do hotels charge tax on mandatory resort fees?
Yes. State and municipal lodging taxes apply to mandatory daily resort or destination fees just like they apply to the base room rate.
Benchmark sources and dates
Starting assumptions are example benchmarks, not binding quotes. Change any input to match your own bills or offers.
| Assumption / Input | Starting value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| US average hotel daily rate, mandatory resort fees, and overnight parking | $155/night ADR, $30/night resort fee, $25/night parking | American Hotel & Lodging Association State of the Industry | 2026-04-01 |
| Short-term vacation rental cleaning fee and guest platform service fee | $165 cleaning fee, 14.2% guest service fee | NerdWallet and AirDNA Short-Term Rental Fee Benchmark | 2026-04-01 |
| Municipal lodging and occupancy tax rates for hotels and rentals | 14% hotel tax, 12% rental tax | National Conference of State Legislatures State Lodging Taxes | 2026-04-01 |
| Daily family meal savings from cooking in a rental kitchen | $65/day for 4 guests; $10/guest/day free hotel breakfast | USDA Official Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home | 2026-04-01 |