Chapel Hill

As of May 2026, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh have 1,306 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Chapel Hill generates $29K per year. High-performing properties earn $59K/year, while low-performing properties earn $10K/year. This wide disparity suggests revenue is heavily concentrated among top-tier listings, indicating that market saturation or specific guest preferences significantly penalize lower-ranked inventory despite a slight contraction in overall supply.

Average home prices in Chapel Hill vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $253K, 2-bedroom homes average $263K, 3-bedroom properties are around $331K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $473K. These prices reflect median home values across the Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Chapel Hill, with an average gross yield of 8% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 17%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. The 9% yield gap highlights that while the broader market faces revenue headwinds, elite assets continue to capture outsized returns through efficient monetization.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Chapel Hill is 36%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $202, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $57 per day.

2-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Chapel Hill, with an average gross yield of 11% and annual revenue of $26K. These properties balance purchase price ($263K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Chapel Hill market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Chapel Hill area. Chapel Hill: Strict. Requires special use permit, owner-occupancy mandatory, 30-day minimum stay in residential zones. Active enforcement with complaints investigated. Durham: Moderate. Business license and zoning compliance required, no owner-occupancy rule. Enforcement complaint-driven, some unlicensed operation occurs. Raleigh: Lenient. Business license required, follows zoning rules, no owner-occupancy mandate. Light enforcement, many hosts operate without full compliance. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Chapel Hill Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 21%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The synchronized decline in supply and revenue suggests that the market is adjusting to lower demand pressure, stabilizing competition rather than experiencing rapid expansion or contraction.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 12% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Chapel Hill listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Kitchen (96%), Tv (89%), Washing Machine (85%), Heating (76%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Lake Access, Hot Tub, Bbq, with Lake Access properties earning approximately 50% more ($61K/year vs $40K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Chapel Hill over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $2K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $1K, 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 Chapel Hill is $202, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $116/night, 2-bedroom properties average $173/night, 3-bedroom properties average $222/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $389/night. Rates peak in April and are lowest in January.

Guests in Chapel Hill book an average of 28 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 25 days, 2-bedroom: 29 days, 3-bedroom: 28 days, 4+ bedroom: 33 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Chapel Hill Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 1%, revenue per listing decreased 21%, occupancy fell 17%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 22%. These shifting metrics point to a market pivot where hosts are raising prices to offset lower utilization, forcing shorter booking windows.

In Chapel Hill, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 44% higher occupancy than weekdays.