Honolulu, Hawaii, has emerged as the most sought-after destination for Americans looking to temporarily live like locals through house-sitting, according to a recent report by Trusted Housesitters. Analyzing four years of data, the platform identified cities where U.S. travelers most desire an "authentic experience" beyond typical tourist activities.
Honolulu secured the top spot with an average score of 79.8 out of 100. The report indicates that house-sitting requests for the Hawaiian capital were high, averaging seven applications per listing within a week, with 78.9% of listings reaching maximum applicants in the same timeframe. Travelers from out of state made up 74.4% of sitters in Honolulu, with average stays lasting 12.3 days, the longest duration among the study's destinations. Experts suggest these extended stays allow visitors to integrate into a local routine and enjoy the favorable weather and lifestyle, which is particularly appealing given the significant travel time from the mainland.
The housing market in Honolulu is notably expensive, with a median home sales price of $1.16 million and an annual increase of 7.3%, making house-sitting an attractive alternative for experiencing the city.
Miami, Florida, ranked second with a score of 76.9. This destination saw the largest year-on-year growth in applications, with a 43.2% increase. Miami averaged 5.9 house-sitting applications per week, attributed to its climate, beach access, and culinary scene. However, consumer prices in the Miami metro area have risen 36% since 2019, and home prices have surged 79% since the pandemic, further highlighting the financial appeal of house-sitting.
Manhattan secured the third position with a desirability score of 75.2. The report noted that nearly half of house-sitters in Manhattan traveled from out of state. The study also highlighted Brooklyn in fourth place, and Fort Lauderdale as rounding out the top five.
The trend toward house-sitting in these popular urban and coastal locations is partly driven by rising accommodation costs. New York City, in particular, is experiencing record-high hotel rates, making alternative living arrangements like house-sitting more appealing even for residents.
Some individuals, like New York City resident Alanna Parish, have adopted house-sitting as a full-time lifestyle to avoid high rental costs, leveraging overlapping sits to maintain continuous accommodation.