Is It Better to Rent Furnished or Unfurnished?

The Bigger Picture

At MoveZen, we focus primarily on long-term rentals — typically leases of 8 months or longer.
We do not handle leases under 3 months due to occupancy tax implications, and rarely manage anything under 8 months.

That means our perspective applies to traditional long-term furnished vs. unfurnished rentals, not short-term or vacation-style listings like Airbnb.

In our experience, Airbnb and short-term rentals can be profitable in a few very specific locations, but for most owners, they are a lot of work and risk for very similar net results after expenses.

Why Unfurnished Usually Wins

From a financial standpoint, unfurnished rentals almost always perform better over time. Furnished homes tend to:

• Attract shorter-term residents

• Experience more vacancy and turnover

• Require frequent paint, cleaning, and minor repairs

• Suffer faster depreciation of furniture and décor

Even if you can charge more per month, those gains are typically offset — or exceeded — by higher maintenance, setup, and downtime costs.

When Furnished Might Make Sense

There are a few exceptions:

• You plan to move back in soon (within a year)

• You’re catering to a very specific audience, such as relocating professionals or medical staff

• The home is in a market with strong, stable short-term demand

Even then, the advantage isn’t always clear. It often comes down to personal goals and timing rather than pure profit.

The Bottom Line

Unless your situation is highly unique, renting unfurnished is the safer and more profitable choice in the long run.

It means:

• Less turnover

• Lower costs

• Steadier income

• Simpler management

We explore this topic in greater depth here:
In-Depth Guide: Should You Rent Your Home Furnished or Unfurnished? →