The 15 Cities Where Travelers Pay the Most Outrageous Airbnb Fees

Booking through Airbnb can provide unique experiences, allow travelers to live like a local, and be much cheaper than swanky hotels. Historically, it’s had a reputation for letting travelers keep more money in the bank.

However, the company has come under fire recently for the fees tacked onto stays, with many customers complaining about exorbitant cleaning fees, mysterious service fees, and more.

To help you navigate when booking through the site is worth it, here are the 15 cities with the highest total Airbnb fees (on average), according to research from Forbes.

Total Fees: 42%

You may have a budget for Disney World, Universal Studios, and countless other attractions in Orlando, but if you’re booking an Airbnb, add extra fees to your list of expenses.

Orlando has the 15th highest fees on Forbes’ list, with total fees adding up to 42% of the booking’s subtotal on average.

The area has high cleaning and services fees (both 16%), but taxes are on the lower end (at least compared to other cities on this list) at 10%.

Total Fees: 42%

Kissimmee, which is just south of Orlando and boasts its own attractions (like Old Town and Medieval Times), follows in its neighbor’s footsteps regarding Airbnb fees.

The city landed 14th on the list, with average total fees tying Orlando at 42%. It charges slightly higher cleaning fees (18%), the same for services fees (16%), and lower for taxes (8%).

Total Fees: 43%

North Carolina’s state capitol is a hot vacation spot known for its gorgeous parks, ample hiking trails, and world-famous (often free) museums.

It also happens to be another Southern gem with a bad rep regarding Airbnb, with total fees representing 43% of the subtotal on average.

Raleigh bookings typically add 14% for cleaning fees, 16% for service fees, and 13% for taxes.

Total fees: 43%

Whether you are looking to ski, hike, or take a mining or ghost tour, Breckenridge is a charming and exciting town to visit. But expect hefty fees if you’re staying in an Airbnb.

The town landed 12th on the list, with an average of 43% in total fees. That’s 16% for both cleaning and service fees and 11% for taxes.

Total Fees: 44%

Salt Lake City has a lot to offer — from historical sites, zoos, and theme parks to the world-famous Great Salt Lake — but those looking to book an Airbnb in the city have it hard.

Total fees in Utah’s capital average 44% tagged onto the subtotal. Travelers spend 14% on cleaning fees, 16% on service fees, and 14% on taxes.

Total Fees: 44%

Chicago is a great vacation spot, whether you’re into fine dining (or deep dish), looking to catch a game at Wrigley Field, or interested in an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River.

The Windy City landed 10th on Forbes’ list for highest Airbnb fees, though it tied Salt Lake City with an average of 44% of booking prices going to fees.

The city has surprisingly low average cleaning fees (9%) and moderate service fees (15%), but it has the highest average taxes added of any city on this list, at 20%.

Total Fees: 45%

New Orleans has a lot to offer visitors — from the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter to landmarks like The National WWII Museum and New Orleans Museum of Art — but Airbnb customers are often hit with hefty fees.

On average, people pay 45% in total fees on top of the booking total, with 13% in cleaning fees, 15% in service fees, and 17% in taxes.

Total Fees: 45%

Houston is another Southern city on the high Airbnb fees list. It boasts a thriving arts scene, more museums than you could possibly visit in one trip, delicious dining, and, of course, NASA’s Space Center Houston.

Still, guests booking an Airbnb should expect hefty fees, with their average portion of the subtotal coming out to 45%. Broken down, that’s 15% extra in cleaning fees, service fees, and taxes, respectively.

Total Fees: 45%

Two Arizona cities landed themselves in the top 10 in high Airbnb fees. Scottsdale — known for its vast natural beauty and thriving arts scene — took the number seven spot with an average of 45% in total fees.

Scottsdale has exceptionally high cleaning and services fees (18% and 16%, respectively) but is on the lower end regarding taxes (11%).

Total Fees: 45%

Park City boasts hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, a thriving Main Street, and seemingly endless natural beauty, but any Airbnb in the area is known to tack on extensive fees.

The average booking adds 45% in total fees, including 16% in both cleaning and service fees and 12% in taxes.

Total Fees: 45%

Memphis landed the number five spot for most expensive Airbnb fees (though it did tie with several cities on this list), with average total fees at 45% of the booking subtotal.

Memphis is worth visiting for fans of Elvis (as it's home to Graceland), blues, and barbecue — but Airbnb may not be the smartest accommodation option.

On average, travelers pay 11% in cleaning fees, 15% in services fees, and 19% in taxes.

Total Fees: 45%

In Central Florida, Davenport was one of two areas in the state to make it into the top five.

The city may mostly draw travelers because of its proximity to Orlando, but it has a certain charm, with great options for golfing, imbibing, and exploring nature.

Davenport Airbnbs average 45% in total fees, with cleaning at 19%, service at 16%, and taxes at 10%.

Total Fees: 46%

Located just off Florida’s southwest coast, Fort Myers Beach was number three on the list.

With its white-sand beaches, the area is a great spot to visit if you want to relax in the sun or engage in sailing, kayaking, or other watersports. However, hotels may be the best bet financially.

The average listing in Fort Myers tacks 46% in total fees onto bookings, with 19% coming from cleaning fees, 17% from service fees, and 10% from taxes.

Total Fees: 47%

Phoenix, with all its natural wonder and Southwestern charm, is another city where travelers may want to skip on booking an Airbnb.

On average, 47% in total fees is tacked onto bookings in Arizona’s capital, with a whopping 20% in cleaning fees (the most expensive on the whole list), 16% in service fees, and 10% in taxes.

Total Fees: 48%

Atlanta took the number one spot on the list, with total added fees amounting to 48% of the bill on average.

This Southern gem certainly has a lot of charm — with plenty of museums, natural beauty, and a thriving food and drink scene — but you may want to book a hotel to enjoy it.

On average, Atlanta bookings consist of 16% in cleaning and service fees and 17% in taxes — up to nearly half the average booking’s subtotal.

The original perk of Airbnb was that travelers could visit hot destinations without having to shell out serious cash for hotels and resorts.

However, if you’re planning a visit to specific cities (particularly in Florida), the added fees on Airbnb listings may not be a bargain after all, so be sure to compare prices.

If you have a travel credit card, booking with certain hotels can help you earn travel rewards for future stays.