FEATURED · 2026 STUDY Good · DepreciMax Score 70 Beach

Destin, Florida

Destin is featured in the DepreciMax 2026 STR Bonus Depreciation Study — one of 197 US short-term rental markets analyzed. Florida fully conforms to federal §168(k).

Median Year 1 Deduction
$84,040
on a $415k STR · range $71k–$98k · ~$31.1k federal tax savings at 37%
Our 2026 STR Bonus Depreciation Market Study analyzes 197 US STR markets — see the ranking and category breakdowns.
Representative short-term rental home in the Destin market
Median Listing Price
$415k
25th–75th pct varies. Comparable to other beach STR markets in the Top 50.
Median Land Ratio
38%
Range 33%–43%. Leaves the rest of purchase price as depreciable basis.
Bonus-Eligible %
20.2%
Median % of purchase price classifiable as 5-yr or 15-yr property. Range 17–23%.
Federal Savings @ 37%
$31.1k
Median federal tax savings on a $415k purchase. Range $26.3k–$36.3k.
Florida State Conformity — Conforms to Federal §168(k)

Florida conforms to federal bonus depreciation. The full Year 1 deduction applies on both federal and state returns — no state add-back required. This is the most favorable state tax posture for STR investors.

Why Destin matters for STR bonus depreciation

Destin's score reflects three compounding factors driving its bonus depreciation outcome:

1. Florida conforms — full federal benefit flows

Florida fully conforms to federal §168(k). The full Year 1 deduction flows through on both federal and FL state returns (Florida has no state income tax, but the conformity matters for entity-level taxes). For STR investors this is the most favorable state tax posture.

2. Beach condo and townhouse stock keeps prices accessible

Destin's median STR price (~$415k) is among the lowest in the beach category. Lower entry prices mean smaller absolute Year 1 deductions, but ROI on the bonus dep benefit alone runs ~7.5% of purchase price — competitive within the bonus dep category.

3. Emerald Coast amenity density

Beachfront condo and townhouse STRs in Destin come with shared pool/beach amenities plus interior FF&E. Private STRs typically add outdoor showers, hot tubs, screened porches, and outdoor kitchens. Combined 5-year + 15-year basis runs 17–23%.

Common bonus-eligible amenities in Destin STRs

Prevalence of 15-year land improvements we typically see across Destin short-term rentals — all 100% bonus-eligible in Year 1 under IRS §168(k):

Pool (private or shared access)
87%
Outdoor shower
76%
Screened porch / lanai
64%
Hot tub or spa
47%
Beach access / boardwalk
81%
Outdoor kitchen / BBQ area
38%

See live Destin listings ranked by bonus depreciation

Every active Destin short-term rental scored by Year 1 bonus depreciation potential — filtered by your price range and amenity preferences. Free market search shows every listing. Run a $99 detailed AI property report on any specific listing for line-item 5-year / 15-year / 39-year classification, closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.

How the score is calculated

Destin's DepreciMax Score is the aggregate score across 100 active listings run through our proprietary algorithm. We use multiple inputs — including land values and AI photo recognition — calibrated over time against a completed cost segregation study on a benchmark short-term rental, with a target accuracy of closely calibrated on bonus-eligible % of purchase price.

More detail in the Top 50 Markets methodology section.

Version: 2026. Sample listings are representative profiles drawn from the top 100 active listings at snapshot date — actual addresses anonymized. Bonus depreciation outcomes vary by individual property; this report estimates ranges for typical purchases. Not tax advice — consult your CPA before making investment decisions.

Score live Destin properties — for your specific deal

Run any active Destin listing through the DepreciMax property scorer. Free market search shows you every listing ranked by bonus depreciation potential. $99 per detailed AI report on a specific property — closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.

Score Destin Properties  →

Want the full Top 50 report?

All 50 markets ranked by bonus depreciation score, with category filters and the full methodology.

View Full Report  →

Destin vs Lake Cumberland vs Panama City Beach — bonus depreciation comparison

Head-to-head from the 2026 DepreciMax STR Bonus Depreciation Study — rank, price point and state §168(k) conformity.

Market Rank Median Bonus % Median Y1 Deduction State Conformity
▸ Destin #118 19.1% ~$129k on $675k STR Full
Lake Cumberland #1 27.1% ~$89k on $330k STR Full
Panama City Beach #71 21.5% ~$94k on $437k STR Full

Data source: 2026 DepreciMax STR Bonus Depreciation Study · snapshot 2026-07-18. See the Aspen vs Lake Cumberland writeup for the full head-to-head methodology.

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