I think your estimate might possibly be to high: According to what I've been explained by friends who let rooms via AirBnB, you don't fill your rooms or apartme

I think your estimate might possibly be to high: According to what I've been explained by friends who let rooms via AirBnB, you don't fill your rooms or apartment with "average" city rates. You will have to be on the lower end to do that and have a "clean" rating, too. That seems to be about $ 50 for rooms and about double for flats in NYC, therefore I would assume the actual income is more likely to be about half your estimate. On top of that, there is an administrative overhead to normal renting of a flat. And, to be top-ranked, you have to be extra-nice to maintain an excellent rating on the site, too. Not so sure that beats the comforts renting with well-defined contracts... I think AirBnB is for you or your family & friends if you want to use that apartment yourself at times, too, or if you are sharing a room in your flat to pay the mortgage, and similar such cases. It probably does not beat renting, otherwise I assume this service would have gone even more "viral" long ago...