Bakersfield

As of May 2026, Bakersfield has 1,189 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 10% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Bakersfield generates $30K per year. High-performing properties earn $64K/year, while low-performing properties earn $10K/year. The substantial revenue gap indicates that market success is highly concentrated among a small segment of operators rather than distributed evenly across the inventory.

Average home prices in Bakersfield vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $166K, 2-bedroom homes average $224K, 3-bedroom properties are around $310K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $398K. These prices reflect median home values across the Bakersfield area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Bakersfield, with an average gross yield of 9% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 20%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This delta highlights significant variance in asset utilization and operational efficiency within the local market landscape.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Bakersfield is 32%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $228, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $56 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Bakersfield, with an average gross yield of 13% and annual revenue of $53K. These properties balance purchase price ($398K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Bakersfield market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Bakersfield area. Bakersfield: Lenient. No specific short-term rental ordinance or permit requirements. Operates under general business license and zoning rules. Transient occupancy tax (TOT) required but minimal enforcement. Most hosts operate without issues. City has discussed regulations but none implemented as of 2024. Light oversight overall. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Bakersfield Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 13%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics, where the contraction in listings is closely tracking the softening of overall revenue per available room.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -13% 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 Bakersfield listings include: Kitchen (96%), Air Conditioning (94%), Tv (92%), Washing Machine (78%), Heating (76%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Ev Charger, Hot Tub, Washing Machine, with Ev Charger properties earning approximately 56% more ($67K/year vs $43K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield is $228, up 25% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $124/night, 2-bedroom properties average $194/night, 3-bedroom properties average $265/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $334/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in May.

Guests in Bakersfield book an average of 25 days in advance, down 14% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 23 days, 2-bedroom: 25 days, 3-bedroom: 25 days, 4+ bedroom: 28 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Bakersfield Airbnb and VRBO market has seen: supply -10%, revenue -13%, occupancy -14%, nightly rates +25%, and lead time -14%. These metrics suggest a shift toward lower volume and shorter booking windows, with higher pricing failing to fully offset the decline in utilization.

In Bakersfield, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 38% higher occupancy than weekdays.