Last updated: June 2026
A well-located, well-managed studio short let in Accra can net roughly 10% to 13% on the purchase price, ahead of the 5% to 7% net of a long let. Occupancy is the biggest lever, followed by location, nightly rate and presentation. Costs, management at 15% to 25% of revenue, furnishing, utilities and platform fees, turn the gross into the net. Treat any single figure as indicative.
The studio is the classic income unit: cheap to buy, cheap to furnish and, in the right location, a strong short-let earner. This article gives a realistic, honest picture of what one can earn on Airbnb in Accra, and what it costs to get there. It builds on our short-let versus long-let comparison.
How studio short-let income works
Short-let income is the nightly rate multiplied by nights booked, less costs. A studio in a central or business location can reach a 10% to 13% net yield when occupancy is strong, comfortably above a long let. The model rewards good management, because empty nights are lost income you cannot recover.
That is the key mental shift from long letting: you are running a small hospitality business, not collecting a fixed rent. The upside is higher; so is the involvement.
What drives the earnings
Four things move a studio’s short-let income: location, occupancy, nightly rate, and the quality of the furnishing and presentation. Location you fix at purchase; occupancy and rate you manage continuously; furnishing you control through fit-out and upkeep.
| What drives earnings | Effect | In your control? |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Central, business or visitor areas command higher rates and occupancy | Yes, at purchase |
| Occupancy | Nights booked per month is the biggest single lever | Partly, via pricing and management |
| Nightly rate | Set by location, finish and season | Yes, with active pricing |
| Finish and furnishing | Better-presented units earn more and review higher | Yes |
Of these, occupancy does the most work. A moderate nightly rate at high occupancy usually beats a premium rate at low occupancy, which is why pricing and management matter as much as the address.
The costs that shape your net
A studio short let carries management or co-hosting at 15% to 25% of revenue if you are not self-managing, a one-off furnishing and fit-out, ongoing utilities and consumables, and platform fees per booking. These costs are exactly why a strong gross figure becomes a more modest, but still attractive, net.
| Cost | Roughly | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Management or co-host | 15% to 25% of revenue | If not self-managed |
| Furnishing and fit-out | One-off | Needed to command nightly rates and good reviews |
| Utilities and consumables | Ongoing | Paid by the host |
| Platform fees | Per booking | Charged by the booking platform |
Budget for furnishing honestly. A well-presented studio earns more and reviews better, which lifts both rate and occupancy, so the fit-out is an investment in the yield, not just a cost.
A studio built to let
Imaani studios sit in prime Accra corridors with the demand to support short lets, priced in USD and delivered on a 100% on-time record. Ask us about the short-let profile of a unit.
Explore the investment caseA realistic earnings picture
Rather than a single promised number, think in terms of yield and occupancy. At a 10% to 13% net yield, a studio returns meaningfully more than a long let, but only at healthy occupancy. Model a conservative occupancy first, and treat strong months as upside rather than the base case.
This is the honest way to plan a short let: build the budget on cautious occupancy, then anything above it improves the return. For how a studio’s return sits against larger units, see ROI from studio to penthouse.
Is it worth it?
For a hands-on owner, or one happy to pay for management, a well-located studio short let is one of the higher-yielding plays in Accra. For a fully passive owner who cannot oversee it, a long let may suit better, trading some yield for stability and far less work.
Either way, the foundation is the same: a well-located unit in a development with real demand. That is what makes a short let perform, as we cover in running a short let in Accra: occupancy and pricing.
About Imaani Homes
Imaani Homes is an Accra-based luxury real estate developer, established in 2019, building investment-grade apartments in Ghana’s most prestigious addresses. Across four developments we have delivered every project on time, with two fully sold out: JAK Royale, our debut development, and The Ivy. Alexis Residence in Tesano is over 90% sold, and our flagship Regalia, in the Airport Residential Area, is open for reservations. Our standard is simple: the right property, in the right address, delivered exactly as promised.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a studio earn on Airbnb in Accra?
A well-located, well-managed studio short let in Accra can net in the region of 10% to 13% on the purchase price, ahead of the 5% to 7% net a long let typically returns. The exact figure depends on occupancy, nightly rate and how the unit is run, so treat any single number as indicative.
What drives short-let earnings most?
Occupancy is the biggest lever: nights booked per month matters more than a high headline rate at low occupancy. Location, nightly rate, and the quality of the furnishing and presentation come next, and all of them respond to active management.
What costs come out of the gross?
Management or co-hosting at 15% to 25% of revenue if you are not self-managing, one-off furnishing and fit-out, ongoing utilities and consumables, and platform fees per booking. These are why a strong gross figure lands at a more modest net.
Is a studio better than a larger unit for Airbnb?
Often, yes, on percentage return. A studio costs the least to buy and furnish while still commanding solid nightly rates in the right location, so its yield is high. Larger units earn more in absolute terms but usually show a lower percentage return.
Is running a studio short let worth it?
It can be, if the unit is well located and you either manage it actively or pay for management. The higher yield comes with more work and income that moves with occupancy, so it suits hands-on owners or those happy to delegate to a manager.
Thinking of a studio for short lets?
Tell us your budget and we will point you to studios in corridors with the demand to earn well on short stays.
Talk to our teamImportant notice. The figures in this article, including yields, prices, costs, tax rates, and timelines, are indicative estimates based on current market conditions and public sources, and are provided for general information only. They are not guarantees, forecasts, or financial, legal, or tax advice. Actual figures vary with circumstances and change over time. Before making any decision, seek independent professional advice. All purchases are governed solely by the terms of the relevant Sales and Purchase Agreement.