Cambridge

As of May 2026, Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket have 978 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 18% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cambridge generates £25K per year. High-performing properties earn £48K/year, while low-performing properties earn £9K/year. The wide revenue delta suggests that the market rewards specific asset positioning, as even with a 17.8% contraction in total supply, lower-tier units struggle to capture consistent demand.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cambridge. Average annual revenue is £25K with 44% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £48K/year. Sustained 44% occupancy amidst a shrinking supply pool indicates that the market is filtering out less competitive inventory while concentrating earnings among top-tier operators.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cambridge is 44%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £151, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £44 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cambridge, with annual revenue of £49K. 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. Planning permission required for STRs over 90 days, Article 4 restrictions in some areas. Council monitors but enforcement inconsistent. Ely: Lenient. No specific STR regulations beyond standard planning rules. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely. Newmarket: Lenient. Standard planning permission applies if material change of use. Light enforcement, limited monitoring of STR activity. 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 18% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 10%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. This concurrent decline in both supply and revenue suggests a contraction in overall market appetite rather than a simple inventory-driven correction.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April 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: Kitchen (93%), Tv (88%), Washing Machine (80%), Heating (79%), Private Yard (45%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Tv, Washing Machine, with Bbq properties earning approximately 47% more (£51K/year vs £35K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cambridge over the last 12 months: May: £1K, June: £1K, July: £2K, August: £1K, September: £2K, October: £2K, November: £1K, December: £1K, January: £958, February: £1K, March: £1K, April: £2K. 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 £151, up 19% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £109/night, 2-bedroom properties average £166/night, 3-bedroom properties average £205/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £318/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Cambridge book an average of 31 days in advance, down 20% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 29 days, 2-bedroom: 34 days, 3-bedroom: 37 days, 4+ bedroom: 33 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 18%, revenue per listing decreased 10%, occupancy fell 8%, average nightly rates increased 19%, and lead time decreased 20%. These metrics reflect a shift toward shorter booking windows and higher price sensitivity, indicating that remaining inventory is aggressively pursuing yield despite softening demand.

In Cambridge, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 8% higher occupancy than weekdays.