Kissimmee vs Davenport — Which Is Better for Vacation Rental Investment in 2026?

This is one of the most common questions from investors researching the Disney corridor. Both markets are strong. The right choice depends on your budget, target property type, and investment priorities.

Quick Comparison

The Core Difference: County Jurisdiction

Kissimmee is primarily in Osceola County. The key STR communities — Reunion Resort, Storey Lake, Solara, Windsor at Westside, Regal Oaks — are in Osceola County.

Davenport is in Polk County. The key STR communities — ChampionsGate, Solterra, Providence, Highlands Reserve, Windsor Island, Regal Palms — are in Polk County.

The county distinction matters for three practical reasons: taxes (slightly different TDT rates), licensing (different registration offices and, in some cases, different processing timelines), and the community landscape itself.

Entry Price

Davenport generally offers lower acquisition prices than comparable properties in Kissimmee. This makes Davenport more accessible for first-time investors or those with tighter budgets, and it is the primary reason Davenport has become the default recommendation for buyers entering the Disney corridor market for the first time.

Kissimmee commands a premium for several reasons: slightly closer proximity to Disney in most cases, stronger brand recognition for communities like Reunion Resort, and a longer track record of STR activity in some of its most established communities.

Revenue Potential

Kissimmee market average annual Airbnb revenue: $38,000 to $46,000 across all property types, with top-performing large homes at Reunion Resort reaching $150,000 to $250,000+.

Davenport market average annual revenue: $31,000 to $42,000 across all property types, with top-performing ChampionsGate luxury homes reaching $120,000 to $180,000.

Kissimmee has a slightly higher revenue ceiling at the luxury end, driven almost entirely by Reunion Resort's unique position in the market. Davenport has a stronger gross yield calculation for most buyer budgets because of lower entry prices — meaning a Davenport property earning less in absolute dollars can still outperform a Kissimmee property on return relative to purchase price.

Tax Rates

Osceola County (Kissimmee): approximately 12% combined tourist development and sales tax.

Polk County (Davenport): approximately 11% combined — marginally lower than Osceola. This roughly one-point difference adds up to several hundred dollars a year on a $70,000 annual revenue property.

Which County Fits Which Investor

If you are buying your first Disney corridor STR property and want to minimize entry cost while still owning in a proven, purpose-built resort community, Davenport is generally the stronger starting point. If you have a larger budget and are specifically targeting the highest possible revenue ceiling, particularly in the luxury large-home segment, Kissimmee's Reunion Resort is in a category of its own.

The Verdict

Choose Kissimmee for the highest revenue ceiling, the luxury market (Reunion Resort), and the strongest brand recognition in marketing.

Choose Davenport for stronger gross yield on a more accessible entry price, the mid-market family vacation segment, or lower acquisition cost for portfolio building.

Edge manages properties in both markets and can give you a property-specific analysis regardless of which you choose.