Austin vs New York City
Texas Legal but Limited | New York Effectively Banned
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Austin, Texas | New York City, New York |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Effectively Banned |
| Permit Fee | $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) | $145 registration fee (OSE) |
| Tax Rate | 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) | 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Every 2 years |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible | $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations |
| Verdict | Austin has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Austin, Texas
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead)
Tax Rate 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible
New York City, New York
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee $145 registration fee (OSE)
Tax Rate 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations
Austin has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Austin Overview
Type 1 (owner-occupied) is allowed citywide. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) licenses are no longer issued in residential areas — existing Type 2 licenses expire April 2027.
Full Austin guide →New York City Overview
Local Law 18 (2023) requires hosts to register with OSE, be present during stays, and limits guests to 2. Entire-apartment rentals under 30 days are effectively banned. Only hosted stays with the owner present are permitted.
Full New York City guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or New York City?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while New York City is "Effectively Banned." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to $145 registration fee (OSE) in New York City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or New York City?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while New York City charges 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Austin: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. New York City: $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations.