Airbnb vs Vacation Rental vs Short-Term Rental: What’s the Difference?
If you’re researching Airbnb, vacation rentals, or short‑term rentals, you’ve probably noticed these terms are often used interchangeably. That’s not a coincidence — in most cases, they describe the same type of property, just framed differently depending on the platform, audience, or legal context.
At JaxBNB, we manage and clean properties across Jacksonville, FL, and we get this question all the time. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each term really means, how they overlap, and why the wording matters.
What Is an Airbnb?
An Airbnb is simply a short‑term rental listed on the Airbnb platform.
Airbnb itself is not a property type — it’s a marketplace. Homes listed on Airbnb can include:
- Single‑family homes
- Condos and townhomes
- Apartments
- Guest suites
- Duplexes and multi‑unit properties
What defines an Airbnb is where it’s booked, not how long it’s rented.
Key point: All Airbnbs are short‑term rentals, but not all short‑term rentals are Airbnbs.
What Is a Vacation Rental?
A vacation rental is a marketing term used to describe a furnished property rented for short stays, typically by travelers.
This term is commonly used on platforms like:
- Vrbo
- Booking.com
- Direct‑booking websites
- Property management company sites
Historically, “vacation rental” referred to beach homes, mountain cabins, or destination properties — but today it applies to urban stays, business travel, and extended short stays as well.
Key point: “Vacation rental” focuses on the guest experience, not the booking platform.
What Is a Short‑Term Rental (STR)?
A short‑term rental (STR) is the legal and industry term for a property rented for a short duration — usually less than 30 days, though this varies by city and county.
This term is used most often when discussing:
- City or county regulations
- Zoning and permitting
- Taxes (sales tax, tourist development tax)
- Insurance
- Property management agreements
In Jacksonville, short‑term rentals must comply with local and state requirements regardless of whether they’re listed on Airbnb, Vrbo, or booked directly.
Key point: “Short‑term rental” is the umbrella term that includes Airbnbs and vacation rentals.
So… Is There Actually a Difference?
Practically speaking — no.
In everyday use:
- Airbnb = platform name
- Vacation rental = guest‑friendly marketing term
- Short‑term rental = legal and operational term
They often describe the exact same property.
The difference lies in context, not function.
Why the Terminology Matters
Even though the property is the same, using multiple terms helps:
- Guests find your listing using different search phrases
- Owners understand the legal and financial side of hosting
- Property managers communicate clearly with cities, CPAs, and insurers
From an SEO standpoint, people search all of the following:
- “Airbnb management Jacksonville FL”
- “Vacation rental management Jacksonville”
- “Short‑term rental cleaning near me”
Using all three terms ensures your property — and your management company — shows up where it matters.
How JaxBNB Uses These Terms
At JaxBNB, we intentionally use all three:
- Airbnb when referencing platforms and guest bookings
- Vacation rental when speaking to travelers and property owners
- Short‑term rental when handling compliance, taxes, and operations
Whether your property is booked through Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, or direct reservations, we provide:
- Full‑service short‑term rental management
- Professional vacation rental turnover cleaning
- Inventory‑driven linen and supply management
- Local Jacksonville market expertise
Bottom Line
There’s no real difference in the property itself.
An Airbnb, vacation rental, and short‑term rental are usually the same home — just described from different angles.
What matters most is how well it’s managed, cleaned, priced, and marketed.
If you’re looking for reliable Airbnb management, vacation rental cleaning, or short‑term rental services in Jacksonville, FL, JaxBNB is here to help.
JaxBNB
Jacksonville’s short‑term rental & vacation rental specialists