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    pay to stay

    Houston Airbnb visitors pay the highest surcharges in Texas, Forbes finds

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 13, 2023 | 11:45 am
    Houston Wish-listed Airbnb

    Houston travelers pay an average surcharge of 45 percent for an Airbnb in the city, earning a top 10 spot in Forbes' report at No. 8.

    Airbnb

    Travelers to Houston are discovering that event when they find the perfect Airbnb with the right price for their travel dates, they watch their trip total skyrocket to an incomprehensible amount after the cleaning and “service” fees. Add to that the laminated list of chores to complete before leaving, which can lead to charges after the stay if not completed.

    In its latest findings, financial publication Forbes Advisor calculated that Houston travelers pay an average surcharge of 45 percent for an Airbnb in the city, earning a top 10 spot in the report at No. 8.

    That also makes H-Town the Texas city with the most expensive Airbnb fees. Forbes’ expert analysts looked at 32,000 listings across 100 of the most popular markets on Airbnb to find common trends.

    Houston's percentage of high fees is much higher than the nationwide average, which is 36 percent. Though the city's average nightly Airbnb rate is $193, guests pay 15 percent in both cleaning and service fees, on top of another 15 percent in taxes. That’s a good dent in your wallet.

    Nearby visitors to Galveston pay just six percent less than their Houston-destined counterparts, at 39 percent, earning them No. 33 in Forbes' report. Guests do pay a higher nightly rate in the coastal town — around $245 — but only pay 12 percent in cleaning fees and taxes. It's the 15 percent service fees that really solidify the anti-financially friendly label.

    The Texas city with the lowest fees is Fort Worth, appearing much, much lower than Houston at No. 77 on the list. The average Airbnb costs $225 a night, with 12 percent in cleaning fees, 15 percent in service fees, and 5 percent in taxes.

    Here’s a look at every Texas city that appeared in the top 100:

    • No. 8 – Houston: 45 percent total fees
    • No. 33 – Galveston: 39 percent total fees
    • No. 47 – San Antonio: 37 percent total fees
    • No. 67 – Dallas: 34 percent total fees
    • No. 69 – South Padre Island: 34 percent total fees
    • No. 71 – Austin: 33 percent total fees
    • No. 77 – Fort Worth: 33 percent total fees

    Atlanta is the U.S. city with the highest percentage in fees for the average Airbnb stay, totaling an unfathomable 48 percent. Surprisingly, an Airbnb stay in New York City will only come with 23 percent in total fees, making it the lowest percentage out of all the top 100 cities.

    In the report, publicist Tracy Lamourie criticized Airbnb hosts and property managers for charging excessive fees, calling it "disingenuous."

    “I’m old enough to remember when Airbnb was a more wallet-friendly alternative to hotels. That’s only rarely true these days,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Dustin Abney, the CEO of vacation-rental management company Portoro, defended Airbnb and praised the company's transparency around its listings with the fee breakdown. He explained "most guests" are charged fees without knowing where that money truly goes.

    “Most guests also assume that property managers or hosts are trying to price-gouge them, when this usually is not the case,” Abney said. “In reality, there are many hidden costs that go into running a short-term rental, and these costs fall on property managers to pay.”

    The full report and its methodology can be found on forbes.com.

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    New Parks

    54,000-acre Hill Country ranch to become Texas' 2nd largest state park

    Natalie Grigson
    May 28, 2026 | 1:00 pm
    Silver Lake Ranch
    Photo from property listing by Icon Global
    Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

    Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

    The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

    “The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

    The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Sitting roughly 350 miles west of Houston, nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful hill country wildlife and nature at a Texas manageable drive of about two hours from San Antonio.

    Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

    Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

    According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

    Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

    "This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

    And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."



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