Bowling Green

As of June 2026, Bowling Green, Mammoth Cave, Elizabethtown, Louisville have 1,064 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Bowling Green generates $25K per year. High-performing properties earn $45K/year, while low-performing properties earn $11K/year. Despite modest supply growth of 4.6% YoY, revenue declined 18.9% annually with 29% occupancy, indicating demand is contracting faster than inventory. The $34K gap between high and low performers suggests significant operational variance in a tightening market.

Average home prices in Bowling Green vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $130K, 2-bedroom homes average $152K, 3-bedroom properties are around $223K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $301K. These prices reflect median home values across the Bowling Green, Mammoth Cave, Elizabethtown, Louisville area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Bowling Green, with an average gross yield of 12% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 22%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. However, the market faces headwinds: supply is growing while revenue declined 18.9% year-over-year despite flat two-year trends, and the 29% occupancy rate suggests intensifying competition. The wide performance gap indicates significant differentiation among hosts.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Bowling Green is 29%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $202, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $49 per day.

2-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Bowling Green, with an average gross yield of 15% and annual revenue of $24K. These properties balance purchase price ($152K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Bowling Green market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Bowling Green area. Bowling Green: Moderate. Business license required, zoning compliance needed. Standard enforcement through complaints. Mammoth Cave: Lenient. No specific STR regulations, follows general lodging rules. Minimal oversight. Elizabethtown: Lenient. Business license needed, basic zoning rules. Light enforcement, complaint-driven. Louisville: Moderate. Annual permit required, safety inspections, occupancy limits. Moderate enforcement with periodic compliance checks. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Bowling Green Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 19%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The significant gap between average revenue ($24,685) and top performers ($45,255) suggests differentiation is driving outcomes, while low occupancy at 29% reveals substantial unutilized capacity across the market.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 42% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (December-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Bowling Green listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (96%), Tv (84%), Washing Machine (76%), Heating (66%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Air Conditioning, Hot Tub, Lake Access, with Air Conditioning properties earning approximately 64% more ($36K/year vs $22K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Bowling Green over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $2K, July: $3K, August: $2K, September: $2K, October: $2K, November: $1K, December: $1K, January: $575, February: $536, 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 Bowling Green is $202, up 13% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $109/night, 2-bedroom properties average $177/night, 3-bedroom properties average $227/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $367/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in February.

Guests in Bowling Green book an average of 30 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 20 days, 2-bedroom: 30 days, 3-bedroom: 34 days, 4+ bedroom: 40 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Bowling Green Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 5%, revenue per listing decreased 19%, occupancy fell 15%, average nightly rates increased 13%, and lead time decreased 22%. The combination of rising supply, falling occupancy, and compressed booking windows signals intensifying competition despite rate increases, while the significant gap between average ($24,685) and high-performing ($45,255) revenues suggests market bifurcation favoring differentiated properties.

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