How to Find Rental Comparables on Zillow and Airbnb

A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners on how to find comparables and record valuable insights used with Rental Pricing Pro's Free Pricing Guide.

Adam Eckstein

4/9/20255 min read

How to Find Rental Comparables on Zillow and Airbnb

If you’re trying to price your rental — whether it’s a long-term unit or a short-term Airbnb — finding accurate comparables (or "comps") is key.

This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through exactly how to gather pricing data from both Zillow (for traditional rentals) and Airbnb (for short-term rentals). No prior experience is needed, and we’ve included every step in detail so anyone can follow along.

Note: This instruction guide is meant to be used alongside our Free Pricing Guide, if you have not yet received our guide please go here.

Finding Comparables on Zillow

Zillow is a great tool for checking long-term rental prices. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Go to Zillow

Open your internet browser and go to www.zillow.com.
At the top left of the homepage, click on “Rent.”

Step 2: Search Your City

In the search bar, type the city where your rental is located.
- Example: West Palm Beach, Florida
Press Enter on your keyboard or click the search icon.

Step 3: Apply Basic Filters

At the top of the search results page, click “Beds & Baths.”
Choose your bedroom and bathroom count.
Check the box for “Use exact match” under Bedrooms.
Click “Apply.”
- See the image below, the red boxes highlight the specific areas.

Step 4: Zoom In to Your Neighborhood

Use the plus (+) and minus (–) buttons on the map to zoom in.
Find your property’s area or type in the exact address to focus on nearby listings.

Step 5: Click on Listings

Click on the purple dots (which become green after clicking on them) on the map. Each one represents a rental unit.
In the preview bubble, you'll see:
- Rent price
- Bedroom and bathroom count
- Square footage
- Address
  - See the image below, the red boxes highlight the specific areas.

Step 6: Record Comparables with our Free Pricing Guide

Open full listings nearby your property and enter the following into your own version of our spreadsheet. Include the following information:

Rent price
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Square footage
Address
Listing source (Zillow)

Step 7: Evaluate Listing Quality

Scroll through the photos and descriptions of the comparables. Note things like:
- Kitchen and appliances
- Bathroom conditions
- Other Renovations or upgrades
- Amenities (such as a pool, outdoor space or access to common areas)
- General condition of the unit
Compare this to your property’s quality.
- Is it nicer, the same, or less updated? Be honest.
- If you are using the Rental Pricing Pro Free Guide and spreadsheet, make your assessment by selecting "Below My Unit", "At My Unit" or "Above My Unit" in Column G.

Step 8: Check Days on Market and Inquiries

Scroll down the listing below the description until you see “Days on Zillow.”
- This shows how long the unit has been listed.
Next to it, look for “Contacts”—this tells you how many people have inquired.
- If a unit has been listed for weeks with fewer than 10 contacts, it’s likely overpriced.
If you are using the Rental Pricing Pro Free Guide and spreadsheet, enter the information into our columns.
- See the image below, the red boxes highlight the specific areas.

Advanced Tip: Look at Price History

Scroll further down to the “Price History” section.
You’ll see previous list prices and dates.
- For example, a unit listed at $2,600 on March 5 that dropped to $2,495 on March 25 shows weak demand at the original price.
- Also, if it last rented at $2,300 a year ago and now sits at $2,495 with low interest, it’s likely still overpriced.
  - See the image below, the red boxes highlight the specific areas.

Step 9: Repeat the Process

Repeat this process for at least 10 listings, but 20 is best for a reliable pricing analysis.
Try to find listings that closely match your unit in size, layout, and quality.
If you are using the Rental Pricing Pro Free Guide and spreadsheet, add in the comparables into the sheet and the average rental price will calculate automatically.
- Follow the additional steps in the guide to finish your analysis.

Finding Comparables on Airbnb

Airbnb is essential for short-term rental pricing. Here’s how to use it effectively to find comparables:

Step 1: Go to Airbnb

Open your browser and go to www.airbnb.com.

Step 2: Enter Your Location

In the “Where” field, type the city or neighborhood of your rental.
Example: West Palm Beach

Step 3: Set Your Date Range

Pick a 3-night stay starting one month from today.
Add the number of guests your unit accommodates.
- Example: 2 adults
Click “Search.”

Step 4: Zoom In on the Map

Use the plus (+) and minus (–) buttons to zoom into the area closest to your property.
Only focus on listings in your neighborhood or within a few blocks for accuracy.

Step 5: Review Listings

Click on individual homes to open their listings. For each one, record:
- Listing name
- Bedroom and bathroom count
- Check-in and check-out dates
Total price for the 3-night stay (shown near the date box)
- See the image below, the red boxes highlight the specific areas.

Step 6: Change the Stay Duration

Repeat the process using the same listing for a:
- 7-night stay
- 28-night stay
  - This will show you if the host offers weekly or monthly discounts.
  - See the image below, the red boxes highlight the specific areas.

Step 7: Evaluate Listing Quality

Look through the photos and listing details and compare each unit to your own based on:
- Furnishings and décor
- Amenities
- Cleanliness and staging
- Location (waterfront, walkable, etc.)
Compare this to your property’s quality.
- Is it nicer, the same, or less updated? Be honest.
- If you are using the Rental Pricing Pro Free Guide and spreadsheet, make your assessment by selecting "Below My Unit", "At My Unit" or "Above My Unit" in Column H.

Step 8: Repeat the Process

Repeat this process for at least 10 listings, but 20 is best for a reliable pricing analysis.
Try to find listings that closely match your unit in size, layout, and quality.
If you are using the Rental Pricing Pro Free Guide and spreadsheet, add in the comparables into the sheet and the average rental price will calculate automatically.
- Follow the additional steps in the guide to finish your analysis.

Final Thoughts

Finding and analyzing comps isn’t difficult — it just takes a little time and a careful eye. Whether you're renting long-term or short-term, these steps will help you compare your property to others on the market and adjust your pricing accordingly.

By gathering at least 10–20 similar listings on either Zillow or Airbnb, recording their details in a spreadsheet, and comparing their features to your own unit, you’ll be in a strong position to set competitive, market-aligned rental rates.