Cincinnati

As of May 2026, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Lexington have 2,678 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cincinnati generates $33K per year. High-performing properties earn $60K/year, while low-performing properties earn $12K/year. The stark disparity between top and bottom performers suggests that market revenue is highly concentrated, highlighting significant variance in asset monetization despite a contraction in overall supply.

Average home prices in Cincinnati vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $136K, 2-bedroom homes average $201K, 3-bedroom properties are around $288K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $378K. These prices reflect median home values across the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Lexington area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cincinnati, with an average gross yield of 11% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 21%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This yield spread indicates that superior returns are achievable even during a period of declining annual revenue trends.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cincinnati is 39%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $197, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $62 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cincinnati, with an average gross yield of 17% and annual revenue of $69K. These properties balance purchase price ($378K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Cincinnati market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cincinnati area. Cincinnati: Lenient. No specific STR regulations. Standard business license and lodging tax required. Minimal enforcement. Dayton: Lenient. Business registration and lodging tax collection required. No owner-occupancy rules or caps. Light enforcement. Columbus: Moderate. Registration required, safety inspections, lodging tax. No owner-occupancy mandate. Moderate enforcement with complaint-based action. Lexington: Moderate. Conditional use permit in most zones, safety standards, transient room tax. No density caps. Moderate enforcement through complaints. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cincinnati Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 19%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous reduction in supply and revenue suggests that the market is adjusting to lower demand levels rather than experiencing competitive overcrowding.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak fall season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -6% 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 Cincinnati listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (96%), Tv (95%), Washing Machine (82%), Heating (74%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Pool, Bbq, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 43% more ($58K/year vs $41K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cincinnati over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $2K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $2K, 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 Cincinnati is $197, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $121/night, 2-bedroom properties average $166/night, 3-bedroom properties average $233/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $397/night. Rates peak in October and are lowest in January.

Guests in Cincinnati book an average of 30 days in advance, down 16% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 25 days, 2-bedroom: 29 days, 3-bedroom: 32 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 Cincinnati Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 5%, revenue per listing decreased 19%, occupancy fell 10%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 16%. These shifts point to a market prioritizing higher nightly rates despite reduced booking volume and shorter planning windows.

In Cincinnati, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 62% higher occupancy than weekdays.