Airbnb Cleaning Fees

A cleaning fee is a one-time charge added to every reservation to cover turnover labor and supplies. Most US short-term rentals charge between $75 and $250 depending on size and market. This is the StayFlow playbook used by thousands of short-term rental hosts in 2026.

What is airbnb cleaning fees?

A cleaning fee is a one-time charge added to every reservation to cover turnover labor and supplies. Most US short-term rentals charge between $75 and $250 depending on size and market.

Key takeaways

  • Studio / 1BR: $60 – $110
  • 2 bedroom: $100 – $175
  • 3 bedroom: $150 – $250
  • Padding the fee to disguise a low nightly rate — Airbnb's display now includes the cleaning fee, which hurts conversion.
  • Charging the same fee for a 1-night and a 7-night stay without adjusting nightly rate.
Benchmarks
MetricValue
Studio / 1BR$60 – $110
2 bedroom$100 – $175
3 bedroom$150 – $250
4+ bedroom$200 – $450
Cleaner hourly rate (US median)$32/hr

Step-by-step playbook

  1. Step 1
    Step 1

    Time one real turnover end-to-end and multiply by your cleaner's hourly rate.

  2. Step 2
    Step 2

    Add laundry, consumables (~$8/guest), and a 15% buffer.

  3. Step 3
    Step 3

    Round to the nearest $5 and benchmark against 5 local comps.

  4. Step 4
    Step 4

    Re-price every 90 days as supplies and wages change.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Padding the fee to disguise a low nightly rate — Airbnb's display now includes the cleaning fee, which hurts conversion.
  • Charging the same fee for a 1-night and a 7-night stay without adjusting nightly rate.
  • Forgetting to update the fee when your cleaner raises their rate.

Drill deeper

Frequently asked questions

What's the average Airbnb cleaning fee?
Across the US the median is about $143 per stay, with a typical range of $75–$250 depending on bedroom count and city wage levels.
Should I include the cleaning fee in the nightly rate?
For 1–2 night markets, yes — Airbnb now shows the all-in total, so a high cleaning fee tanks click-through. For 5+ night markets, keep it separate to stay competitive on the headline rate.
Are cleaning fees taxable?
Yes in most US jurisdictions — short-term rental sales tax applies to the full guest-paid amount, including cleaning.

Related topics

Reviewed by StayFlow Editorial · Last updated 2026-06-07 · Cite as: StayFlow, “”.