Chester County

As of May 2026, West Chester, Kennett Square, Phoenixville have 364 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 12% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Chester County generates $42K per year. High-performing properties earn $74K/year, while low-performing properties earn $14K/year. The massive performance gap suggests that revenue is highly polarized, likely driven by specific listing attributes that capture the limited 39% occupancy window.

Average home prices in Chester County vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $249K, 2-bedroom homes average $354K, 3-bedroom properties are around $431K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $582K. These prices reflect median home values across the West Chester, Kennett Square, Phoenixville area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Chester County, with an average gross yield of 8% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 14%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. These yield tiers demonstrate that while average returns remain modest, top-tier assets effectively leverage the current supply contraction.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Chester County is 39%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $260, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $77 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Chester County, with an average gross yield of 12% and annual revenue of $77K. These properties balance purchase price ($582K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Chester County market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Chester County area. West Chester: Moderate. Zoning permit required, conditional use in most zones, owner-occupancy preferred. Moderate enforcement through complaints. Kennett Square: Lenient. General business license needed, follows borough zoning. Light enforcement, minimal active monitoring. Phoenixville: Moderate. Zoning approval required, conditional use process, parking standards. Complaint-driven enforcement, some hosts operate informally. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Chester County Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 12% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 13%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The concurrent drop in supply and revenue suggests the market is shedding underperforming units to reach a new equilibrium.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August 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 (March-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Chester County listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (96%), Washing Machine (78%), Tv (77%), Heating (73%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Tv, Washing Machine, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 43% more ($68K/year vs $48K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Chester County over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $3K, July: $3K, August: $3K, September: $2K, October: $2K, November: $3K, December: $2K, January: $2K, February: $1K, March: $2K, April: $3K. 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 Chester County is $260, up 21% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $147/night, 2-bedroom properties average $202/night, 3-bedroom properties average $253/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $502/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in June.

Guests in Chester County book an average of 33 days in advance, down 19% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 32 days, 3-bedroom: 33 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 Chester County Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 12%, revenue per listing decreased 13%, occupancy fell 6%, average nightly rates increased 21%, and lead time decreased 19%. This compression in lead times and occupancy suggests guests are becoming more selective despite rising nightly prices.

In Chester County, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 78% higher occupancy than weekdays.