How to use the airbnb vs hotel cost comparison
- Enter the number of nights, and optionally the number of guests to see the cost per person.
- For the rental, enter the rate per night, the number of units, and any one time fees such as a cleaning fee.
- Do the same for the hotel. Open the advanced options on either side to add a service fee percent, extras per night such as parking or breakfast, and a tax percent.
- Read which stay costs less, by how much, and the cost line by line.
Formula
Lodging = rate x rooms or units x nights
Service fee = fee percent x lodging
Tax = tax percent x (lodging + service fee + one time fees)
Extras = extras per night x nights (not taxed)
Total = lodging + service fee + one time fees + tax + extras
Booking sites charge fees and taxes in different ways. This tool applies one clear rule to both stays, so check the final price at checkout.
Three nights, a rental and a hotel
A rental costs $120 a night for 3 nights plus a $60 cleaning fee, so the total is $360 + $60 = $420.00. A hotel at $150 a night for 3 nights is $450.00. The rental is $30.00 cheaper.
Add a 10% service fee and an 8% tax to the rental: the fee is $36.00 and the tax is 8% of $456.00, which is $36.48, so the total is $492.48. Add a 10% tax and $20 a night of extras to the hotel: tax is $45.00 and extras $60.00, so the total is $555.00. With 3 guests, that is $164.16 against $185.00 each.
Why one time fees change the comparison
A cleaning fee is charged once per stay, so it makes a rental look more expensive for short stays and less so for long ones. A three night stay with a $60 fee adds $20 a night, while a ten night stay adds $6 a night. Changing the number of nights shows where the two options cross.
Hotels have their own extras. Parking, resort fees and breakfast can be charged per night. Entering them puts both options on the same footing.
What the total does not include
The tool counts money only. It does not weigh the location, the space, a kitchen that lets you cook instead of eating out, the quality of sleep, cancellation terms, deposits or reward points. Those can matter as much as the price. The numbers on the form are examples that you replace with the quotes you have.
For the whole trip, the trip budget planner adds up transport, food and activities, and the trip cost splitter divides shared costs among the people traveling.
Assumptions and limits
- All rates, fees and tax percents are entered by you and match what you were quoted.
- Service fees apply to the lodging charge only.
- Tax applies to lodging, the service fee and one time fees, and not to extras.
- Cancellation terms, deposits and non cash benefits are not valued.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a short term rental with a hotel?
Add up the full cost of each stay: nightly rate times nights, one time fees, service fees, taxes and extras such as parking. Compare the totals and the cost per night.
Why does the number of nights matter?
One time fees like cleaning do not grow with the stay. They add more per night on a short stay than on a long one, so the cheaper option can change as the stay gets longer.
Can I compare more than one hotel room?
Yes. Use the rooms or units field. Two rooms at $150 for 3 nights is $900.00 in lodging before any fees or tax.
Does the tool know the real taxes and fees?
No. It uses the percents you enter. Look at the final price on the booking page, because the way fees and taxes are added differs between sites and places.