Mid-Term Rentals in 2025: The Ultimate Investor’s Guide

With remote work and corporate relocations on the rise in 2025, mid-term rentals are becoming the preferred solution for professionals seeking stability without long-term commitment. The rental landscape is evolving . While short-term rental hosts navigate increasingly strict regulations and traditional landlords watch their margins shrink, a growing segment of savvy investors is seizing the sweet spot between these two extremes: mid-term rentals.

If you’re looking for predictable income, stable tenants, and returns that outperform traditional rentals by 50-100%, you’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide reveals why 2025 is the breakthrough year for mid-term rental investments.

What Are Mid-Term Rentals?

Mid-term rentals (MTRs) are fully or mostly furnished properties (often including utilities and internet) typically rented for 1–6 months, sometimes up to 12 months to professionals who need temporary housing but want the comfort of home. Unlike short-term Airbnb guests who stay for days or long-term tenants who commit to year-long leases, mid-term renters seek flexibility without giving up the comforts of home. These renters are traveling nurses, remote workers, corporate relocators, students, interns, digital nomads, or consultants on temporary projects seeking stability without long-term commitment.

The Key Difference: These properties come fully furnished with utilities included, commanding premium rates while avoiding the daily turnover chaos of short-term rentals.

Why 2025 Is THE Year for Mid-Term Rentals

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The mid-term rental market is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by converging trends in 2025. Recent data reveals that 30-plus-day bookings have surged 94% year-over-year, with average mid-term stays now reaching 55 days. Meanwhile, short-term rental hosts face tighter regulations and increasing compliance costs, while traditional landlords grapple with shrinking margins. This creates a sweet spot for investors seeking stable, flexible rental income through mid-term rentals.

Supply growth in the U.S. short‑term rental market is expected to decelerate to about 4.7% in 2025. With fewer new listings entering the market, investors in mid‑term rentals may find a favorable window of reduced competition, provided they act swiftly.

The Regulatory Advantage

Cities across America are cracking down on short-term rentals. New York’s Local Law 18 triggered an 80% drop in Airbnb listings virtually overnight. Some hosts are responding by shifting to longer‑term furnished stays of 30 days or more, a trend that can create opportunities in the mid‑term rental (MTR) market. Because many jurisdictions apply their strictest rules only to very short‑term stays, MTRs can in numerous markets be subject to fewer licensing burdens and regulatory restrictions — though conditions vary widely by city.

Unprecedented Tenant Demand

1. The Travel Healthcare Explosion

The U.S. healthcare system is experiencing a critical staffing shortage. As of 2023, there’s a deficit of 63,720 registered nurses nationwide, with shortages expected to intensify in high-demand states like Washington and Georgia. Meanwhile, more than 1.7 million travel nurses are currently working across the country, with average annual earnings for travel nurses estimated at around $100,000 — significantly higher than many staff RN averages.

Hot Markets: States like Texas and Arizona are projected to be among the fastest‑growing markets for travel nurses, potentially catching up to California in demand. On the compensation side, East Coast states lead the pack: New York travel nurses earn among the highest annual salaries in the U.S., followed by strong pay in states such as Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and New Jersey.

2. The Mental Health Professional Gap

Behavioral health is another major gap many investors overlook. The U.S. faces a significant behavioral health workforce shortage, especially in rural and underserved counties. According to HRSA, more than a third of Americans live in mental-health professional shortage areas. Many behavioral health professionals — like therapists, psychologists, or counselors — likely require stable, furnished housing when working on short‑term contracts. This remains a largely untapped segment for landlords who specialize in mid-term rentals.

3. The Remote Work Revolution

In 2025, about 22% of the U.S. workforce (roughly 32–34 million Americans) is expected to work remotely. Among those with remote‑capable jobs, hybrid work is especially common — around 53% follow a combined remote/office schedule. Many of these workers highly value location flexibility, which could make them an ideal target for mid‑term rentals

Perhaps most telling: Many workers now value remote work as much—or more—than traditional compensation. According to a recent FlexJobs survey, 81% of respondents said remote work is their top job priority, even ahead of salary. Meanwhile, a significant portion (around 60–65%) say they would accept a pay cut to preserve remote‑work flexibility. This suggests that for many professionals, remote work is not just a pandemic-era perk—it’s become a long-term baseline expectation.

Financial Performance: Real 2025 Numbers

Let’s talk money. Mid-term rentals often earn 50–100% more than traditional 12-month leases (1.5–2×), while avoiding the volatility and heavy management demands of short-term rentals.

Sample ROI Scenarios

3-Bedroom Property in Austin, TX:

• Traditional rent: $2,200/month
  
• Mid-term rental rate: $3,500/month
  
• Additional monthly income: $1,300
  
• Annual increase: $15,600

2-Bedroom Property Near Hospital in Phoenix, AZ:

• Traditional rent: $1,600/month
  
• Mid-term rental rate: $2,800/month
  
• Additional monthly income: $1,200
  
• Annual increase: $14,400

In December 2024 the national median monthly rent (according to the NAA) closed at about $1,373, marking a small decline of roughly 0.6%. Meanwhile, the market for 30‑plus‑day furnished stays is surging — U.S. nights booked for stays of 30 days or more rose about 94% year‑over‑year, reflecting rapidly growing demand for mid‑term rentals.