Source: BNBCalc market metadata · Reviewed by Parker Place, CTO of BNBCalc.com · Data updated July 10, 2026
Best Airbnb Markets in Kentucky by Gross Yield
Wolfe County is the top Kentucky short-term rental market across Airbnb and Vrbo by gross yield, with 32.3% gross yield, $42,241 in average annual revenue, and 1,301 active listings.
Top gross yield
32.3%
Wolfe County
Median gross yield
16.4%
6 markets with yield data
Median annual revenue
$32.5K
Average listing revenue
Tracked markets
6
Statewide market coverage
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Default rankings show all bedrooms at the average performance tier.
Bedroom count
Performance tier
Top 10 Kentucky Airbnb and Vrbo Markets
#1
Wolfe County
Wolfe County, Kentucky offers short-term rental investors a solid 26.6% gross yield and a steady annual revenue of $33,325. However, prospective buyers should carefully consider the low 31% occupancy rate and a modest average daily rate of $241 when evaluating the performance of the 1,278 active listings in this market.
Yield
32.3%
Revenue
$42.2K
Listings
1,301
#2
Ashland
Ashland offers short-term rental investors an appealing 19.1% gross yield, though the annual revenue sits on the lower side at $20,506. With only 227 active listings, prospective buyers face less competition but must navigate a 31% occupancy rate and a modest $175 average daily rate.
Yield
23.6%
Revenue
$26.1K
Listings
234
#3
Louisville
Louisville presents a competitive short-term rental landscape with 2,869 active listings, yielding a solid 15.9% gross return. Investors can target an annual revenue of $39,605, but must carefully manage their $283 average daily rate to overcome a moderate 34% occupancy rate.
Yield
17.1%
Revenue
$43.5K
Listings
2,975
#4
Cadiz
Investors looking at Cadiz will find an attractive 14.2% gross yield and an average daily rate of $216. However, a low 28% occupancy rate across 613 active listings suggests a highly seasonal market, meaning operators must optimize their pricing strategies to secure the $24,671 average annual revenue.
Yield
15.8%
Revenue
$28.0K
Listings
629
#5
Lexington
Lexington offers short-term rental investors a solid 13.9% gross yield and an average daily rate of $249. However, with 1,364 active listings in the area, a moderate 35% occupancy rate means that operators must actively optimize their listings to secure their share of the $36,238 annual revenue.
Yield
13.9%
Revenue
$37.1K
Listings
1,388
#6
Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Kentucky offers short-term rental buyers a 12.0% gross yield and a $202 average daily rate across 523 active listings. However, investors should note the challenging 29% occupancy rate, which keeps annual revenue at a modest $24,685 and demands highly effective marketing.
Yield
12.6%
Revenue
$26.5K
Listings
529
All Kentucky Short-Term Rental Markets
Every market below links to its full BNBCalc market page. Rankings use gross yield first, then annual revenue when yield is missing.
Active listings are Airbnb and Vrbo listings observed as active in the selected market metadata segment. The all-bedrooms view uses all active listings in that market; bedroom filters use the active listing count for the selected bedroom group.
For US markets, BNBCalc ranks state market pages by gross yield: annual Airbnb and Vrbo short-term rental revenue divided by estimated property value. Gross yield is a fast way to compare market-level opportunity before operating expenses, financing, taxes, insurance, seasonality, and local rules.
Annual revenue uses ADR, adjusted occupancy, and estimated cleaning revenue when cleaning and stay data exists.
ADR is nightly-only and excludes cleaning fees and other guest fees.
Occupancy is adjusted occupancy of bookable nights, excluding host-blocked nights.
Gross yield uses annual revenue divided by estimated property value; it does not include operating expenses, financing, taxes, or local regulation risk.
Compare Rental Demand in Kentucky
For long-term rental context, compare statewide Section 8 Fair Market Rent data alongside short-term rental market performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky Airbnb and Vrbo Markets
The best short-term rental market in Kentucky for Airbnb and Vrbo investors by gross yield is Wolfe County, with 32.3% gross yield, $42,241 in average annual revenue, and 1,301 active listings.
US markets are ranked by gross yield, which compares annual short-term rental revenue from demand sources like Airbnb and Vrbo with estimated property value. Gross yield is useful for comparing markets before expenses, financing, taxes, and local regulation are included.
Gross yield is usually better for market comparison because it accounts for both revenue potential and property value. Revenue alone can favor expensive markets where purchase prices may reduce investor returns.
Monthly revenue is calculated from the average yearly revenue per listing over the last twelve months (LTM), divided by 12. This figure represents gross booking revenue across short-term rental demand sources, including Airbnb and Vrbo, before expenses like cleaning fees, platform fees, and property management costs.
ADR is the average nightly price that guests pay to book a short-term rental in a given market. It's calculated by dividing the total revenue by the number of booked nights. Higher ADR markets typically have premium properties or are in high-demand tourist destinations.