Bay City

As of June 2026, Bay City, Saginaw, Midland, Frankenmuth have 731 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Bay City generates $28K per year. High-performing properties earn $53K/year, while low-performing properties earn $13K/year. This wide revenue spread indicates that top-tier assets capture a disproportionate share of demand, suggesting a market where earnings are highly polarized rather than evenly distributed.

Average home prices in Bay City vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $57K, 2-bedroom homes average $151K, 3-bedroom properties are around $209K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $265K. These prices reflect median home values across the Bay City, Saginaw, Midland, Frankenmuth area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Bay City, with an average gross yield of 15% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 28%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. Such variance highlights that while baseline profitability exists, significant upside remains reserved for operators capable of maximizing asset efficiency.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Bay City is 33%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $226, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $53 per day.

1-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Bay City, with an average gross yield of 26% and annual revenue of $16K. These properties balance purchase price ($57K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Bay City market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Bay City area. Bay City: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or licensing requirements. Operates under general zoning and tax rules. Minimal enforcement. Saginaw: Lenient. No dedicated STR ordinance. Subject to general business licensing and zoning. Light enforcement, hosts operate freely. Midland: Lenient. No specific STR regulations. Standard zoning and business tax requirements apply. Minimal enforcement activity. Frankenmuth: Moderate. Business license required, zoning compliance needed. Tourist-friendly but monitors compliance moderately. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Bay City Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 26%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The drop in RevPAR despite stable supply growth suggests that existing inventory is facing downward pressure on pricing or utilization as the market reaches an equilibrium point.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 74% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-February) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Bay City listings include: Kitchen (96%), Air Conditioning (91%), Tv (88%), Washing Machine (70%), Heating (66%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Washing Machine, Lake Access, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 38% more ($57K/year vs $41K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Bay City over the last 12 months: May: $1K, June: $2K, July: $3K, August: $3K, September: $2K, October: $2K, November: $1K, December: $1K, January: $914, February: $824, March: $966, April: $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 Bay City is $226, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $137/night, 2-bedroom properties average $177/night, 3-bedroom properties average $241/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $400/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in March.

Guests in Bay City book an average of 35 days in advance, down 15% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 37 days, 4+ bedroom: 45 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Bay City Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 5%, revenue per listing decreased 26%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 15%. These shifts point to a tightening environment where higher nightly rates are struggling to offset declining occupancy and shorter booking windows.

In Bay City, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 63% higher occupancy than weekdays.