Hotel vs Airbnb Total Cost Calculator
Example: Number of nights: 5 · Hotel rate per night: 190 $ · Hotel occupancy tax: 14 % · Hotel parking per night: 25 $ · Resort fee per night: 30 $ · Rental rate per night: 175 $ · Cleaning fee (one-time): 110 $ · Service fee: 13 % · Rental occupancy tax: 8 %
| Rental saves vs hotel | $166 |
| Hotel all-in total | $1,358 |
| Rental all-in total | $1,192 |
Worked example
Five nights. The hotel at $190 plus 14% tax is $216.60 a night, and adding $25 parking and a $30 resort fee makes $271.60 a night, or about $1,358 total. The rental at $175 a night is $875, plus a $110 cleaning fee is $985, then 13% service and 8% tax on that $985 add about $207, for roughly $1,192. The rental saves about $166 — but on a one-night stay the cleaning fee would flip the result to the hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Why do rentals lose on short stays?
The cleaning fee is charged once regardless of length, so it is spread thin over a long stay but dominates a one or two-night trip. As a rule, rentals get more competitive the longer you stay, while hotels are often cheaper for a single night.
Are resort fees really unavoidable?
At hotels that charge them, resort fees are mandatory even if you never use the amenities. They are a major reason the advertised nightly rate understates the true cost, so always include them when comparing.
Do rentals save on food too?
Often yes, because a kitchen lets you cook some meals instead of eating out. This calculator compares only lodging cost, so factor grocery savings separately if a kitchen would change how you eat.
What about location and reliability?
Cost is only part of the decision. Hotels offer consistent service and easy cancellation, while rentals offer space and kitchens. Use this total as the financial input, then weigh the non-price factors for your trip.