Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the South Korea Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our South Korea Property Pack
Daejeon is a science and research hub in South Korea, and its Airbnb market works differently from typical tourist cities because demand here is driven by conferences, festivals, and business travelers rather than year-round vacationers.
We constantly update this blog post to give you the freshest data on Airbnb profitability and regulations in Daejeon for 2026.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon.
Insights
- Daejeon Airbnb hosts can realistically expect around 700,000 to 1,150,000 KRW in monthly net profit when self-managing, but this drops to 250,000 to 750,000 KRW with professional management.
- The average nightly rate for an Airbnb in Daejeon in 2026 sits around 95,000 KRW, which is noticeably lower than Seoul because Daejeon attracts more domestic business travelers than international tourists.
- Occupancy rates in Daejeon hover around 52%, meaning hosts fill roughly 16 nights per month on average, though top performers can push this to 65% or 70%.
- Since October 2025, Airbnb Korea requires all hosts to provide business registration information, so running an unregistered listing in Daejeon is no longer practical.
- The Daejeon Convention Center and Expo area in Yuseong-gu creates predictable demand spikes, making properties near Doryong-dong especially valuable during major conferences like ISS 2026.
- Two-bedroom units in Daejeon perform unusually well during events because conference attendees and families want to stay together, yet supply in this category remains thinner than in major tourist cities.
- The most crowded Airbnb price point in Daejeon falls between 70,000 and 100,000 KRW per night, leaving white space for hosts who offer larger group accommodations or premium long-stay setups.
- Yuseong-gu and Seo-gu are the most saturated districts for short-term rentals in Daejeon, while outer areas near Daejeon Station remain relatively undersaturated.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Daejeon in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is allowed in Daejeon, but only through specific legal channels that require proper registration and compliance with Korean accommodation laws.
The main legal framework governing short-term rentals in Daejeon is the Tourism Promotion Act, which is administered by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and defines categories like the "foreign tourist urban homestay" for home-sharing activities.
The single most important restriction hosts must comply with in Daejeon is that the mainstream homestay pathway typically requires the host to live in the property and limits guests to foreign tourists, which means operating a pure investment property as an Airbnb is legally complicated for most residential setups.
Additionally, building management rules in apartment complexes often impose their own restrictions, and officetels can face extra legal hurdles depending on their permitted use classification.
Operating an illegal short-term rental in Daejeon can result in fines and having your listing removed from platforms, especially since Airbnb Korea began enforcing registration requirements in late 2025.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in South Korea.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in South Korea.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Daejeon does not have a citywide minimum-stay requirement or a maximum nights-per-year cap like some Western cities such as London or Amsterdam.
The rules do not differ significantly by property type or host residency status in terms of night caps, but the bigger constraints come from which registration category your property qualifies for and what your building's management rules allow.
Since there are no formal night caps to track, hosts in Daejeon focus more on maintaining proper registration status and ensuring their listing complies with platform requirements rather than counting rental nights.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Daejeon right now?
For the most common legal pathway in Daejeon, the urban homestay route, hosts are generally required to live in the property they rent out.
Owners of secondary homes or investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Daejeon, but they typically need to qualify under a different accommodation business regime, which can be difficult to achieve inside ordinary residential buildings like apartments or villas.
If you want to rent out a non-primary residence as an Airbnb in Daejeon, you may need to register as a formal accommodation business, which involves additional permits and may face building-use restrictions.
The main difference between renting out a primary residence versus a secondary home in Daejeon is that primary residence homestays have a clearer legal pathway, while secondary properties face more regulatory hurdles and may not qualify under the same simplified registration process.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Daejeon right now?
You can technically operate multiple Airbnb listings under one name in Daejeon, but the practical feasibility depends on whether each unit can be properly registered and compliant with Korean accommodation laws.
There is no explicit maximum number of properties one person can list in Daejeon, but since October 2025, Airbnb Korea requires business registration information for all listings, making it much harder to scale without proper paperwork.
Hosts with multiple listings in Daejeon need to ensure each property has valid registration documentation, and depending on the scale, they may need to register as a formal accommodation business rather than relying on the simpler homestay pathway.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, business registration is effectively required to host on Airbnb in Daejeon because the platform began enforcing this requirement across Korea in October 2025.
The typical process involves first confirming your property qualifies for a recognized accommodation category, then obtaining the necessary business registration from your local tax office, and finally submitting this information to Airbnb.
You will generally need to provide proof of property ownership or a valid lease, identification documents, and evidence that your unit meets the requirements for your chosen registration category.
The cost of obtaining business registration itself is minimal, but hosts should budget for potential compliance costs like safety equipment or building modifications depending on their property type.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Daejeon does not have neighborhood-specific bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in the way some global cities implement them.
The real restrictions in Daejeon come from building type and permitted use classifications, meaning certain apartment complexes or officetels may prohibit short-term rentals through their management rules rather than through city zoning.
This building-level approach means hosts need to check their specific property's regulations rather than looking at a city map of banned areas.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in South Korea compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Daejeon in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Daejeon is approximately 95,000 KRW (around 70 USD or 65 EUR), while the median nightly price sits closer to 85,000 KRW (around 63 USD or 58 EUR) because luxury listings pull the average up.
The typical nightly price range that covers roughly 80% of Airbnb listings in Daejeon falls between 60,000 and 140,000 KRW (45 to 105 USD, or 42 to 97 EUR).
The single factor with the biggest impact on nightly pricing in Daejeon is proximity to the Daejeon Convention Center and Expo area, as business and conference travelers are willing to pay a premium for convenient access to event venues.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices for Airbnb listings in Daejeon vary from around 60,000 KRW (45 USD, 42 EUR) in budget areas near Daejeon Station to 140,000 KRW (105 USD, 97 EUR) in premium locations like Dunsan-dong and Doryong-dong near the Convention Center.
The three neighborhoods in Daejeon with the highest average nightly prices are Dunsan-dong in Seo-gu at around 120,000 KRW (90 USD, 83 EUR), Doryong-dong near the DCC and Expo area at around 130,000 KRW (97 USD, 90 EUR), and Bongmyeong-dong in the Yuseong hot springs district at around 115,000 KRW (86 USD, 79 EUR).
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Eunhaeng-dong and Daeheung-dong in the older downtown area at around 65,000 KRW (48 USD, 45 EUR), and areas near Jungang-ro by Daejeon Station at around 70,000 KRW (52 USD, 48 EUR), though these budget areas still attract guests looking for affordable stays near transit connections.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Daejeon is approximately 52%, which translates to about 16 booked nights per month for an average host.
The realistic occupancy rate range that covers most listings in Daejeon falls between 40% and 65%, with significant variation depending on location, property quality, and host responsiveness.
Daejeon's occupancy rates are somewhat lower than major tourist destinations like Seoul or Busan because the city's demand is more event-driven and business-focused rather than consistently high throughout the year.
The single factor with the biggest impact on achieving above-average occupancy in Daejeon is positioning your listing to capture conference and event demand, which means being near the DCC or Expo area and offering amenities business travelers need like fast Wi-Fi and a proper workspace.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Daejeon is approximately 1,550,000 KRW (around 1,150 USD or 1,070 EUR) based on the typical ADR and occupancy rates.
The realistic monthly revenue range that covers roughly 80% of listings in Daejeon falls between 1,000,000 and 2,200,000 KRW (745 to 1,640 USD, or 690 to 1,520 EUR), depending on location, property type, and seasonal timing.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Daejeon can achieve monthly revenues of 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 KRW (1,860 to 2,235 USD, or 1,725 to 2,070 EUR) during peak periods. This is calculated by taking a premium ADR of around 120,000 KRW multiplied by 70% occupancy and 30 nights, which equals roughly 2,520,000 KRW.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Daejeon.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical monthly revenue during low season in Daejeon falls to around 1,000,000 KRW (745 USD, 690 EUR), while high season months can bring in approximately 2,000,000 KRW (1,490 USD, 1,380 EUR) or more.
Low season for Airbnb in Daejeon typically includes winter months like December through February when conference activity slows, while high season peaks during April for the Korea Science Festival cluster, August for the Daejeon Zero O'Clock Festival, and whenever major conventions are held at the DCC.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a realistic monthly expense range for operating an Airbnb in Daejeon is between 450,000 and 850,000 KRW (335 to 635 USD, or 310 to 590 EUR) for self-managed properties, and 850,000 to 1,350,000 KRW (635 to 1,005 USD, or 590 to 935 EUR) if you use professional management.
The single expense category that typically represents the largest share of monthly costs in Daejeon is property management fees if you use a service, which usually runs 15% to 25% of revenue, or utilities and building fees combined if you self-manage.
Hosts in Daejeon should typically expect to spend between 30% and 55% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with self-managers at the lower end and those using full-service property management at the higher end.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Daejeon.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the realistic monthly net profit for a self-managed Airbnb in Daejeon ranges from 700,000 to 1,150,000 KRW (520 to 860 USD, or 485 to 795 EUR), which translates to a profit per available night of roughly 23,000 to 38,000 KRW (17 to 28 USD, or 16 to 26 EUR).
The realistic monthly net profit range that covers most listings in Daejeon spans from 250,000 KRW for managed properties with lower occupancy to 1,150,000 KRW for well-located, self-managed units performing above average.
Hosts in Daejeon typically achieve net profit margins between 45% and 75% of gross revenue, with self-managers at the higher end and those paying for property management services at the lower end.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Airbnb listing in Daejeon is approximately 30% to 35%, meaning you need to book around 9 to 11 nights per month just to cover your operating costs before generating any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in South Korea versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Daejeon as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 1,600 active short-term rental listings in Daejeon across platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.
This number has remained relatively stable compared to the previous year, with the long-term trend showing modest growth as Daejeon's convention and research economy continues to attract more visitors, though the 2025 registration enforcement may have removed some non-compliant listings from the market.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Daejeon are Yuseong-gu (particularly around Doryong-dong near the DCC and Expo, and Bongmyeong-dong in the hot springs area), Dunsan-dong in Seo-gu, and the Jungang-ro corridor near Daejeon Station in Jung-gu.
These neighborhoods have become saturated because they sit at the intersection of Daejeon's key demand drivers: Yuseong-gu hosts the convention center and hot springs that attract conference and leisure visitors, Dunsan-dong serves as the government and business core, and Daejeon Station provides KTX connectivity that festival crowds rely on.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new hosts include outer areas of Daedeok-gu near the research institutes, parts of Dong-gu with developing transit access, and older residential pockets in Jung-gu away from the main festival corridor.
What local events spike demand in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Daejeon include the Korea Science Festival cluster in April around the DCC and Expo area, the Daejeon Zero O'Clock Festival in August near Daejeon Station and Jungang-ro, the Yuseong Hot Spring Cultural Festival in spring, and major conventions at the Daejeon Convention Center like ISS 2026 scheduled for June.
During these peak events, hosts in Daejeon can typically see booking increases of 20% to 40% and nightly rate premiums of 15% to 30% compared to regular periods, with the Zero O'Clock Festival historically drawing over one million visitors to the city.
Hosts should typically adjust their pricing and availability settings at least four to six weeks before major events in Daejeon, as conference attendees and festival visitors often book earlier than typical leisure travelers.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Daejeon achieve occupancy rates of approximately 65% to 70%, which is significantly higher than the market average.
In comparison, average hosts in Daejeon typically see occupancy rates around 52%, meaning top performers book roughly 13 to 18 percentage points more nights each month through better photos, faster response times, strategic pricing, and superior reviews.
New hosts in Daejeon typically need six to twelve months of consistent hosting to reach top-performer occupancy levels, as building review history and learning optimal pricing strategies takes time in a market where reputation matters greatly to business travelers.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Daejeon right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Daejeon falls between 70,000 and 100,000 KRW (52 to 75 USD, or 48 to 69 EUR), where most small apartments and villas compete on a simple value proposition.
The white space opportunities for new hosts in Daejeon exist at higher price points above 130,000 KRW (97 USD, 90 EUR) for true two to three bedroom family or group accommodations, and in the long-stay segment targeting researchers and visiting professionals with weekly or monthly discounts.
To successfully compete in these underserved segments in Daejeon, new hosts should focus on properties with dedicated parking and elevator access near the DCC or Expo area, multiple bedrooms that can accommodate conference teams or families traveling together, or long-stay amenities like proper desks and kitchen facilities that appeal to the KAIST and Daedeok research community.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Daejeon right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom units and studios get the most bookings on Airbnb in Daejeon, capturing approximately 55% of all reservations due to their appeal to solo business travelers and couples.
The booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Daejeon shows studios and one-bedrooms at around 55%, two-bedrooms at roughly 30%, and three-bedroom or larger units at approximately 15% of total bookings.
One-bedroom units perform best in Daejeon because the city's demand is heavily driven by individual business travelers, researchers visiting KAIST or Daedeok Innopolis, and conference attendees who typically travel alone, though two-bedrooms punch above their weight during major events when teams and families want to stay together.
What property type performs best in Daejeon in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Daejeon is apartments in high-rise residential complexes, particularly those located near the Dunsan business district, Yuseong hot springs area, or the DCC and Expo zone.
Occupancy rates in Daejeon vary by property type, with apartments achieving the most consistent bookings around 50% to 55%, villas and low-rise multi-family units performing slightly lower at 45% to 52% due to variable quality, and detached houses seeing lower average occupancy but higher revenue per booking when they capture group stays during events.
Apartments outperform other property types in Daejeon because business travelers and conference attendees prioritize security, elevator access, and proximity to transit and event venues over the larger space or unique character that houses might offer in tourist-focused cities.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Daejeon, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| AirDNA Daejeon Market Overview | AirDNA is one of the most widely used short-term rental analytics providers with consistent methodology across global markets. | We used it to anchor our ADR, occupancy, and active supply estimates for Daejeon. We also calculated monthly revenue using their baseline figures with straightforward arithmetic. |
| Airbnb Help Center - Responsible Hosting in Korea | This is Airbnb's official compliance guidance for hosts operating in Korea. | We used it to list the exact registration categories and compliance requirements Airbnb highlights for Korean hosts. We also referenced it for platform fee structures and tax handling guidance. |
| Korea JoongAng Daily | This is a major national newspaper reporting on official platform policy changes with reliable context. | We used it to date-stamp the October 2025 business registration enforcement that affects all Daejeon hosts. We cross-checked this timing against other outlets to reduce single-source risk. |
| The Korea Times | This is a major national outlet citing official platform policy announcements. | We used it to confirm the registration enforcement timeline and understand what happens operationally when hosts fail to comply. We triangulated this with other news sources for accuracy. |
| Maeil Business Newspaper (MK) | This is a major Korean business daily that summarizes how regulations work in practice for everyday people. | We used it to explain the resident-host requirement, foreign-guest restriction, and building-type limits that affect most Daejeon properties. We relied on it for practical compliance interpretation. |
| Korean Law Information Center (MOLEG) | This is the official legal repository run by the Korean government. | We used it as the primary source of truth for what laws govern short-term rentals and where they sit in the legal system. We triangulated news summaries against this official source. |
| Tourism Promotion Act (English) | This is the official English presentation of a Korean statute governing tourism accommodation. | We used it to anchor which ministry regulates tourism accommodation categories. We avoided relying on hearsay about what's legally allowed by checking the actual statute. |
| KLRI e-Law | This is a respected legal research institute providing access to Korean statutes. | We used it to cross-check statutory context and reduce the risk of mislabeling the governing framework. We also used it to support our interpretation of tourist accommodation business treatment. |
| Yanolja Research | Yanolja is a major Korean travel platform, and its research arm publishes data-led industry reports. | We used it to benchmark Korea-wide STR performance ranges against Daejeon specifically. We avoided single-source dependence by comparing their data with AirDNA figures. |
| Bank of Korea | This is South Korea's central bank explaining official policy decisions in its own words. | We used it to anchor financing assumptions and interest-rate environment as of early 2026. We also used it to keep profitability estimates realistic versus leverage and mortgage costs. |
| Korea Real Estate Board (KREB) | This is the official government-linked housing statistics body with transparent survey methodology. | We used it to ground how Korea measures residential price trends and regional comparisons. We aligned our property-type discussion with Korea's official housing categories. |
| Korea.net | Korea.net is an official government portal that republishes ministry-linked announcements. | We used it to identify the Science Festival timing as a predictable demand spike window in Daejeon. We connected event timing to seasonal revenue patterns for hosts. |
| Invest Korea - Daejeon | This is a government-run investment agency site with public event and city information. | We used it as a second confirmation of major event timing and location around the DCC and Expo area. We avoided relying only on media articles for event dates. |
| Yuseong-gu District Government | This is a local government page describing signature festivals and attractions in Yuseong-gu. | We used it to identify recurring demand drivers tied specifically to Yuseong including hot springs and seasonal events. We justified neighborhood-level demand differences using this source. |
| ISS Korea 2026 | This is the official site for a major international conference being held at Daejeon Convention Center. | We used it to identify a concrete 2026 demand spike event with specific dates. We connected convention timing to practical pricing advice for hosts. |
| Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism | This is the ministry responsible for tourism policy and related accommodation categories in Korea. | We used it to anchor which authority owns the tourism accommodation framework. We kept our legal sections mapped to the correct government regulator. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of South Korea. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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