Oxford

As of May 2026, Oxford, Cheltenham, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath have 2,530 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 11% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Oxford generates £31K per year. High-performing properties earn £66K/year, while low-performing properties earn £10K/year. The substantial revenue spread suggests that market performance is highly bifurcated, with top-tier assets capturing significant share despite the overall contraction in supply and revenue.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Oxford. Average annual revenue is £31K with 43% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £66K/year. The revenue gap indicates that while the market faces downward pressure on earnings, elite inventory continues to achieve strong returns relative to the current occupancy baseline.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Oxford is 43%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £193, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £57 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Oxford, with annual revenue of £68K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Oxford market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Oxford area. Oxford: Moderate. Planning permission required for entire properties, 90-day annual limit for primary residences. Council monitors Airbnb but enforcement inconsistent. Cheltenham: Lenient. No specific STR rules beyond planning permission for change of use if applicable. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely. Stratford-upon-Avon: Moderate. Planning permission needed for whole properties, Article 4 Direction in some areas. Growing enforcement but many unlicensed units operate. Bath: Strict. Planning permission required, 90-day limit on primary residences, Article 4 covers city center. Active council enforcement with prosecutions. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Oxford Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 11% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 11%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. This synchronized decline suggests a market finding a new equilibrium rather than a collapse, as the exit of supply is offsetting the current dip in per-unit revenue.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 23% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Oxford listings include: Kitchen (88%), Tv (88%), Washing Machine (77%), Heating (74%), Private Yard (44%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Pets Allowed, Washing Machine, with Bbq properties earning approximately 44% more (£61K/year vs £43K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Oxford over the last 12 months: May: £2K, June: £2K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £2K, October: £2K, November: £2K, December: £2K, January: £1K, February: £1K, March: £2K, 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 Oxford is £193, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £116/night, 2-bedroom properties average £181/night, 3-bedroom properties average £247/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £505/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in February.

Guests in Oxford book an average of 35 days in advance, down 21% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 32 days, 2-bedroom: 35 days, 3-bedroom: 38 days, 4+ bedroom: 41 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Oxford Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 11%, revenue per listing decreased 11%, occupancy fell 7%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 21%. These metrics highlight a shift toward shorter-term booking cycles and higher price points, forcing a tighter correlation between operational agility and unit profitability.

In Oxford, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 13% higher occupancy than weekdays.