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Occupancy Break-Even Calculator
Find the exact occupancy rate below which you're losing money every month, at your current nightly rate.
Why break-even occupancy matters more than average occupancy
Two listings can both run 50% occupancy and have completely different outcomes — one comfortably profitable, the other losing money every month — depending on their fixed costs and nightly rate. Break-even occupancy is the one number that tells you whether your current pricing and cost structure can work at all, before you even look at how bookings are actually going.
What happens above and below the line
Every night booked below your break-even point is effectively still paying off fixed costs. Every night booked above it drops straight to profit — which is why pushing occupancy up even a little past break-even can have an outsized effect on your bottom line.
Frequently asked questions
What's included in "variable cost per booking"?
The costs that only happen when a guest actually stays — cleaning, laundry, guest supplies like toiletries and coffee, and any consumables you restock after each checkout. It should not include costs you pay regardless of occupancy, like the mortgage or a flat insurance premium.
What does it mean if the required occupancy is above 100%?
It means your current nightly rate doesn't leave enough margin per booking to ever cover your fixed costs, even if you were booked every single night of the month. You'd need to raise your rate, lower fixed or variable costs, or reconsider the listing's economics.
Should I include the platform's service fee in the nightly rate here?
For a clean break-even view, enter the rate you actually expect to keep after the platform's cut, or use the required nightly rate calculator first to work out what to charge before fees. Mixing gross and net figures will understate how much occupancy you actually need.
Is break-even occupancy the same for every month?
No — fixed costs like utilities can vary seasonally, and variable costs shift if you change cleaners or supply quality, so it's worth re-running this a few times a year with updated numbers.