The average Airbnb cost in Tennessee runs from about $143 a night in Memphis and $150 in Clarksville to $298 in Nashville and $344 to $368 in the Smoky Mountain towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, based on AirDNA’s trailing 12-month figures. Cities are the budget bases, while mountain cabin country costs about two to two-and-a-half times as much.
Quick Answer
Plan on roughly $145 to $200 per booked night in Memphis, Clarksville, Knoxville and Chattanooga, about $300 in Nashville, and $345 to $370 in the Smokies. These are market averages, not quotes, so a large cabin on a holiday weekend can cost more.
Key Takeaways
- AirDNA ADRs: Memphis $143, Clarksville $150, Knoxville $192, Chattanooga $199, Nashville $298, Gatlinburg $344, Pigeon Forge $344, Sevierville $368 (pages updated October 13 to 20, 2026).
- Memphis has the highest occupancy of the eight at 63%.
- Tennessee says short-term rentals are subject to sales tax, and the taxable price includes required fees such as cleaning.
- Airbnb shows US guests a fee-inclusive price before taxes.
Tennessee Airbnb Prices by City
Tennessee has music cities, college towns, riverfront cities and one of the busiest cabin markets in the country. The table uses AirDNA’s market pages, which report the average nightly price paid on booked nights over the trailing 12 months.
| Tennessee market | Average daily rate | Occupancy | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $143 | 63% | Large city with many apartments and houses. |
| Clarksville | $150 | 61% | Smaller city with lower-cost stays. |
| Knoxville | $192 | 58% | University city and Smokies gateway. |
| Chattanooga | $199 | 59% | Outdoor and downtown leisure destination. |
| Nashville | $298 | 58% | Music, bachelorette and event travel. |
| Gatlinburg | $344 | 57% | Smokies cabin and chalet market next to the national park. |
| Pigeon Forge | $344 | 56% | Attractions town with many large group cabins. |
| Sevierville | $368 | 57% | Cabin-heavy market with large homes. |
Note: ADR is the average price paid on booked nights. It mixes room types and home sizes, and AirDNA tracks short-term rentals generally rather than Airbnb alone. Live figures change monthly and may differ from this snapshot.
Sevierville’s $368 is about $225 above Memphis’s $143. A small apartment will often sit below its market average, while a luxury cabin with a theater room or hot tub can sit far above it.
What Changes Tennessee Airbnb Prices
- Cabin versus city: Smoky Mountain markets are full of large entire homes, which lifts their averages.
- Hot tubs, views and game rooms: common premium features in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
- Event dates: Nashville rates rise on festival, concert, sports and holiday weekends.
- Group size: big cabins cost more per night but can be cheaper per person for families.
- Distance from the strip or downtown: a short drive can lower the nightly rate, but add fuel, parking and travel time.
For groups, compare cost per person. A $368 cabin shared by eight guests is about $46 each per night before fees and tax.
Pro Tip: Search midweek and shoulder-season dates as well as weekends. Cabin areas and Nashville are usually busiest on weekends and holidays, though the discount varies by property.
Fees and Taxes to Budget For
Airbnb says US guests see a fee-inclusive total price before taxes on all listings, so mandatory fees such as cleaning should already be in the displayed price. Under the split-fee structure, the guest service fee ranges from 14.1% to 16.5% of the booking subtotal.
Warning: Do not automatically add another 15% to the price Airbnb displays in the US. That can double-count fees already included. Open the price breakdown at checkout.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue says short-term rentals are subject to sales tax, defines short-term as fewer than 90 consecutive days for sales tax purposes, and says the taxable sales price includes all fees the renter must pay, such as required cleaning fees and non-refundable pet deposits. The page does not list rates, and cities and counties may add occupancy taxes, so rely on the tax lines at checkout.
A flat cleaning fee makes short stays costlier per night. For example, a $150 cleaning fee is $75 a night on a two-night stay but about $21 a night on a seven-night stay.
How to Save on a Tennessee Airbnb
- Pick the right base. Memphis, Clarksville, Knoxville and Chattanooga average far below Nashville and the Smokies.
- Go midweek or off-peak. Weekends and holidays cost the most.
- Stay longer. The cleaning fee is spread over more nights, and some hosts offer weekly discounts.
- Split a larger cabin. Compare cost per person against separate rooms.
- Filter only for what you need. Hot tubs, game rooms and mountain views narrow supply and raise prices.
- Compare total prices. A lower cleaning fee can beat a cheaper nightly rate.
Prefer a hotel? See our guides to Tennessee hotel prices, Tennessee motel prices, Nashville hotels and Gatlinburg hotels. Neighboring states are covered in our Kentucky Airbnb guide, Georgia Airbnb guide and North Carolina Airbnb guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Airbnb price per night in Tennessee?
There is no single statewide figure. AirDNA’s trailing 12-month ADRs are about $143 in Memphis, $150 in Clarksville, $192 in Knoxville, $199 in Chattanooga, $298 in Nashville, $344 in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and $368 in Sevierville.
Why are Smoky Mountain Airbnbs more expensive than Memphis or Knoxville?
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are cabin markets where many listings are large entire homes with hot tubs and views, which lifts the average nightly price well above the city markets.
Are short-term rentals subject to sales tax in Tennessee?
Yes. The Tennessee Department of Revenue says short-term rentals are subject to sales tax, with short-term meaning fewer than 90 consecutive days. The taxable price includes required fees such as cleaning fees and non-refundable pet deposits. Local occupancy taxes may also apply.
Does Airbnb show cleaning fees in the displayed price?
For US guests, Airbnb shows a fee-inclusive total price before taxes, so mandatory fees such as cleaning are included. The breakdown still lists the individual charges and taxes.
When is the cheapest time to book a Tennessee Airbnb?
Midweek nights and off-peak dates are usually cheaper than weekends and holidays in Nashville and the Smokies. The saving varies by property, so compare the same listing across a few date combinations.
Is an Airbnb cheaper than a hotel in Tennessee?
It depends on the trip. A hotel can be cheaper for one traveler on a short stay, while an Airbnb or cabin may suit families and groups that need several bedrooms and a kitchen. Compare the full after-tax total for the same dates and guests.
Conclusion
Tennessee Airbnb prices run from about $143 per booked night in Memphis to about $368 in Sevierville, with Nashville near $298. Choose the market first, then compare the fee-inclusive total and the tax lines at checkout.
Flexible dates, a city base and a longer stay are the most dependable ways to lower the nightly cost.
Sources
- AirDNA market pages for Memphis, Clarksville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville – ADR and occupancy, trailing 12 months, pages updated October 13 to 20, 2026.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: short-term rentals are subject to sales tax – taxability and taxable base.
- Airbnb: pricing display in the United States – fee-inclusive total price before taxes.
- Airbnb: service fees – guest service fee range.
