Buena Vista

As of May 2026, Buena Vista, Salida, Aspen, Crested Butte have 1,240 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 6% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Buena Vista generates $44K per year. High-performing properties earn $81K/year, while low-performing properties earn $18K/year. This significant performance spread suggests that revenue in this market is highly polarized, likely driven by specific asset attributes or operational efficiencies that distinguish top-tier earners from the rest of the supply.

Average home prices in Buena Vista vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $425K, 2-bedroom homes average $428K, 3-bedroom properties are around $540K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $876K. These prices reflect median home values across the Buena Vista, Salida, Aspen, Crested Butte area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Buena Vista, with an average gross yield of 10% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 19%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. The wide gap between average and high yields highlights that profitability relies heavily on capturing market share in a environment with declining revenue trends.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Buena Vista is 36%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $289, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $83 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Buena Vista, with an average gross yield of 10% and annual revenue of $73K. These properties balance purchase price ($876K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Buena Vista market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Buena Vista area. Buena Vista: Lenient. Basic business license required, no occupancy rules or caps. Minimal enforcement, market-driven approach. Salida: Lenient. Business license and sales tax registration needed, no density limits or owner-occupancy rules. Light enforcement. Aspen: Strict. Limited licenses, owner-occupancy required for most, 90-day annual cap for non-primary homes. Active enforcement with substantial fines. Crested Butte: Strict. License required, primary residence rule, 180-day cap for non-primary. Active monitoring and enforcement. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Buena Vista Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 6% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 23%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. Despite the contraction in supply, the sharper drop in revenue suggests that demand is softening faster than inventory, creating a more challenging environment for maintaining historical income levels.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 43% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (January-April) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Buena Vista listings include: Kitchen (97%), Tv (75%), Washing Machine (74%), Heating (63%), Pets Allowed (58%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Washing Machine, Tv, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 51% more ($75K/year vs $50K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Buena Vista over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $3K, July: $4K, August: $3K, September: $3K, October: $2K, November: $2K, December: $3K, January: $2K, February: $2K, March: $3K, 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 Buena Vista is $289, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $196/night, 2-bedroom properties average $241/night, 3-bedroom properties average $340/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $525/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in May.

Guests in Buena Vista book an average of 39 days in advance, down 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 35 days, 2-bedroom: 38 days, 3-bedroom: 41 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 Buena Vista Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 6%, revenue per listing decreased 23%, occupancy fell 16%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 18%. These metrics reveal a shift toward shorter booking windows and higher price sensitivity, where rate hikes are failing to compensate for lower occupancy.

In Buena Vista, 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.