Cambridge

As of May 2026, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph have 1,479 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 14% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cambridge generates C$25K per year. High-performing properties earn C$48K/year, while low-performing properties earn C$8K/year. The significant revenue spread suggests that the top tier of the market is effectively capturing premium demand while the lower tier struggles to gain traction amidst a 13.6% contraction in overall market supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cambridge. Average annual revenue is C$25K with 40% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to C$48K/year. This performance gap demonstrates that revenue potential is highly polarized, with successful listings achieving nearly double the average returns despite a stable but shrinking supply pool.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cambridge is 40%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of C$180, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of C$45 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cambridge, with annual revenue of C$52K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Cambridge market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cambridge area. Cambridge: Moderate. Business license required, principal residence only, max 4 bedrooms. Enforcement increasing but inconsistent. Kitchener: Moderate. License required, principal residence only, max 3 bedrooms. Some enforcement, unlicensed hosts still operate. Waterloo: Moderate. License mandatory, principal residence rule, max 3 bedrooms. Growing enforcement but gaps remain. Guelph: Lenient. Business license needed, no occupancy rules. Minimal enforcement, many operate without licenses. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cambridge Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 14% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 0%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The reduction in inventory appears to be offsetting static revenue trends, preventing dilution of the existing pool of active listings.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak fall season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -5% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (May-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Cambridge listings include: Air Conditioning (97%), Kitchen (97%), Tv (92%), Heating (87%), Washing Machine (75%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Pool, Pets Allowed, with Bbq properties earning approximately 27% more (C$47K/year vs C$37K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cambridge over the last 12 months: May: C$1K, June: C$1K, July: C$2K, August: C$2K, September: C$2K, October: C$2K, November: C$1K, December: C$1K, January: C$989, February: C$921, March: C$1K, April: C$1K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Cambridge is C$180, up 17% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average C$127/night, 2-bedroom properties average C$168/night, 3-bedroom properties average C$244/night, 4+ bedroom properties average C$409/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in May.

Guests in Cambridge book an average of 33 days in advance, down 10% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 30 days, 2-bedroom: 35 days, 3-bedroom: 36 days, 4+ bedroom: 39 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cambridge Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 14%, revenue per listing increased 0%, occupancy rose 4%, average nightly rates increased 17%, and lead time decreased 10%. These metrics indicate a tightening market where higher nightly rates are successfully compensating for lower availability, signaling increased efficiency for remaining operators.

In Cambridge, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 30% higher occupancy than weekdays.