A new side hustle is gaining momentum among Gen Z, as young entrepreneurs use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to boast about their success with Airbnb arbitrage, a practice that involves subletting rental properties for short-term stays to earn a profit, Business Insider reports.
One such influencer, 21-year-old Hailie Anderson, shares her experience with her 30,000 TikTok followers, revealing that she makes as much as $180,000 a month from properties she doesn’t own.
Airbnb arbitrage involves renting properties, furnishing them, and then subletting them on short-term rental sites at a higher nightly rate. While some hosts remain discreet about their operations, Anderson and other young influencers openly share their strategies online, promoting their methods and offering paid courses on how to replicate their success. Anderson, who started at 19 by renting three apartments in Austin, now manages nearly 50 Airbnb listings across Salt Lake City, Austin, and Nashville.
These arbitrage influencers are often compared to the likes of ’80s real estate moguls or modern HGTV personalities, blending the pursuit of passive income with social media fame. Many document their daily activities—shopping for décor, managing bookings, and touring new properties—to show how they balance their business with their travels and leisure. The appeal of Airbnb arbitrage lies in its low entry costs compared to purchasing property, making it an attractive option for young people seeking financial independence.
Despite the profits, Airbnb arbitrage has faced criticism. Some argue that the trend exacerbates housing shortages and rising rents by taking long-term rental properties off the market. Local governments in major cities, including New York, have introduced stricter regulations to limit short-term rentals, further complicating the practice. Critics also point to cases where arbitrage hosts have operated illegally, subletting without landlord consent or skirting rental agreements, leading to legal repercussions.
However, for hosts like Anderson, who claims to rent legally approved properties, the financial rewards outweigh the challenges. She remains unapologetic about her success, emphasizing that her business is helping others achieve financial freedom. Anderson’s online coaching business, which teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to navigate Airbnb arbitrage, has attracted hundreds of students, further expanding her influence.
