Ocala ranked No. 39 among the nation's top 100 snowbird destinations for 2026-27 in a new StorageCafe study, and Florida claimed 63 of the 100 spots. For Marion County, that points to steady seasonal demand. Owners who rent for six months or less must collect the county's 4% tourist tax plus state sales tax.
Snowbird season is starting, and a national ranking released this month puts Ocala inside the top 40 places in the country to spend the winter. That is useful context if you are buying a part-time Florida home, selling to seasonal buyers, or thinking about a furnished seasonal rental. It also comes with tax rules that first-time seasonal landlords often miss.
What happened
StorageCafe ranked nearly 500 U.S. cities for the 2026-2027 snowbird season. According to FOX 35 Orlando, the study weighed seasonal housing availability, average rental rates, health care access, internet speeds, self-storage availability, and overall cost of living. Florida Trend, republishing a Florida Realtors report on Oct. 26, described the factors as housing costs, seasonal rental availability, weather, healthcare, recreation, and everyday expenses.
- Florida dominates: 63 Florida cities made the national top 100. Florida and Texas together hold 88 of the 100 spots, with Texas at 25 and Arizona at six, per FOX 35.
- Central Florida leads: Winter Haven ranked No. 1, Lakeland No. 2, and Lake Wales No. 10. Vero Beach (No. 5), Hollywood (No. 6), and Clearwater (No. 9) also made the top 10.
- Where Ocala landed: Florida Trend lists Ocala at No. 39, behind Sarasota (No. 11), Bradenton (No. 12), Tampa (No. 15), Ormond Beach (No. 20), and Fort Myers (No. 35), and ahead of Pensacola (No. 56) and Cape Coral (No. 100).
- What the coverage did not publish: neither article gave Ocala-specific rents or scores. For comparison only, Florida Trend says about one-third of Lakeland rentals are designated for seasonal use, and Lake Wales average rents run near $1,100.
Dr. Xiaoxiao Fu of UCF told Florida Realtors, "Affordability is one of the most important factors, but snowbirds are increasingly thinking about affordability in terms of overall value rather than simply looking for the cheapest destination." Seasonal buyers compare total cost, including HOA fees, insurance, and taxes. My Ocala cost of living guide breaks those pieces down.
The local rule that matters most: Marion County's tourist tax
According to the Marion County Tax Collector:
- The Tourist Development Tax is a 4% charge on revenue from rentals of six months or less, including homes, condos, and apartments.
- It is in addition to state sales tax, which the Tax Collector lists as 6% plus a 1.5% local surtax in Marion County, for 7.5% sent to the Florida Department of Revenue.
- Marion County says it is not contracted with Airbnb, VRBO, or other third-party platforms, so the property owner is responsible for collecting and remitting the 4% tourist tax.
- Returns are due monthly, on the 1st of the month after the reporting period, and are delinquent if not paid or postmarked by the 20th. A return is required even in months with no rentals.
- Late returns carry a penalty of 10% of the tax due per month, with a $50 minimum and a cap of 50% of the tax due.
- Cleaning fees, pet fees, and similar charges are taxable along with rent. A bona fide written lease for longer than six months for continuous residence is exempt.
What it means for buyers
- Seasonal buyers are your competition this winter. Low-maintenance, lock-and-leave homes tend to draw the most seasonal interest. Start looking now rather than in January. My snowbird-friendly homes page is a good starting point.
- Read the HOA leasing rules before you offer. Many associations set minimum lease terms or limit how often a home can be rented. If you plan to rent your place while you are up north, confirm it is allowed in the documents, not just from the listing remarks.
- Price the loan for how you will use the home. Fortune, citing Mortgage Research Center data, put the national 30-year fixed conventional average at 7.231% and the 15-year at 6.414% on Oct. 27. Second-home and investment loans are priced differently from a primary residence, so ask a lender to quote the exact occupancy you plan.
- Plan for the months you are away. Ask an insurance agent how a vacant or seasonally rented home affects your policy before you close.
What it means for sellers
- Winter showings matter. Seasonal visitors tour while they are here. If your home fits that buyer, being market ready between now and the new year puts it in front of them.
- Have your rental records organized. If you have rented the home by the season, buyers and their agents may ask about rental history and tourist tax filings. Clean records make that conversation easy. Start with my selling page or request a value at sellocalahome.com.
What it means for investors
- Seasonal and annual rentals are different businesses. A rental of six months or less brings the 4% county tax, state sales tax, and monthly filings. A lease longer than six months is exempt from the tourist tax. Run both versions of your numbers with a CPA before choosing a strategy.
- Check zoning, HOA rules, and insurance up front. Short-term and seasonal use can be restricted by community documents or local rules, and a standard homeowner policy may not fit a rental.
- Watch your homestead exemption. Renting a homesteaded property can affect the exemption. Ask the Marion County Property Appraiser's office or a tax professional before you list your own home for seasonal guests.
- Compare areas by ZIP. The Ocala ZIP code guide and the 34481 page for West Ocala and the SR 200 corridor are a good way to compare housing types and HOA patterns.
What I'd do this week
- If you are buying a seasonal home, list your must-haves for the months you are away: security, maintenance, HOA services, and insurance.
- Request the HOA documents and leasing rules on any home you are serious about before you make an offer.
- Ask a lender for quotes based on second-home or investment occupancy, not primary residence.
- If you already rent seasonally, confirm you are registered with the Marion County Tax Collector and filing every month.
- If you are selling, get the home show ready before winter visitors arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Ocala rank as a snowbird destination for 2026-27?
Ocala ranked No. 39 in StorageCafe's list of the nation's top 100 snowbird destinations for 2026-27, according to Florida Trend. Florida claimed 63 of the 100 spots, and Winter Haven ranked No. 1. The published coverage did not include Ocala-specific rents or scores.
Do I have to pay tourist tax on a seasonal rental in Marion County?
According to the Marion County Tax Collector, rentals of six months or less are subject to a 4% Tourist Development Tax. That is in addition to state sales tax, which the Tax Collector lists as 7.5% in Marion County. A CPA can confirm how it applies to your property.
Does Airbnb or VRBO collect Marion County's tourist tax for me?
The Marion County Tax Collector says the county is not contracted with Airbnb, VRBO, or other third-party platforms. The property owner is responsible for collecting and remitting the 4% tourist tax. Returns are due monthly, even in months with no rentals.
Is a lease longer than six months subject to the tourist tax in Marion County?
No, according to the Marion County Tax Collector. A bona fide written lease for longer than six months for continuous residence is exempt from the Tourist Development Tax. Check with a CPA or attorney if your lease terms are unusual.
What are mortgage rates for a second home in Ocala right now?
Fortune, citing Mortgage Research Center data, put the national 30-year fixed conventional average at 7.231% on Oct. 27. Second-home and investment property loans are often priced differently from a primary residence. Ask a lender to quote the exact occupancy you plan.
Which Florida city ranked first for snowbirds?
Winter Haven ranked No. 1 nationally in the StorageCafe study, followed by Lakeland at No. 2. Lake Wales ranked No. 10, giving Central Florida three of the top 10 spots, according to FOX 35 Orlando.
Sources
- Florida Trend / Florida Realtors: Florida leads national snowbird rankings (Oct 26, 2026)
- FOX 35 Orlando: Top snowbird destinations, 2 states claim 88 of top 100 cities (Oct 2026)
- Marion County Tax Collector: Tourist Development Tax
- Marion County Tax Collector: Short Term Rentals
- Fortune: Mortgage rates today, Oct. 27, 2026 (Oct 27, 2026)
This article is general information, not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice, and no guarantee of any rate, ranking, tax treatment, cost, or value. Tax rules and rates can change. Talk with a CPA, a real estate attorney, a licensed lender, or an insurance agent about your situation.
Cristian Gonzalez, REALTOR, eXp Realty
FL License #3633800 · Ocala, Marion County, Florida · Published October 27, 2026