Cleveland

As of May 2026, Cleveland, Sandusky, Akron have 4,931 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 4% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cleveland generates $31K per year. High-performing properties earn $71K/year, while low-performing properties earn $14K/year. The substantial variance between top and bottom earners suggests that market success is heavily skewed toward specific asset types or operational strategies, given the broader 21% revenue decline across the board.

Average home prices in Cleveland vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $104K, 2-bedroom homes average $183K, 3-bedroom properties are around $251K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $330K. These prices reflect median home values across the Cleveland, Sandusky, Akron area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cleveland, with an average gross yield of 12% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 27%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This wide spread in yield potential highlights that even amidst shrinking sector-wide revenue, top-tier units maintain significant financial leverage over average inventory.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cleveland is 37%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $208, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $59 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cleveland, with an average gross yield of 17% and annual revenue of $57K. These properties balance purchase price ($330K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Cleveland market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cleveland area. Cleveland: Moderate. Registration required, zoning restrictions apply, safety inspections needed. Enforcement exists but inconsistent across neighborhoods. Sandusky: Lenient. Business license and lodging tax required. Minimal restrictions, light enforcement focused on tax collection rather than operations. Akron: Moderate. Registration and permit required, occupancy limits, safety 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 Cleveland Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 4% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 21%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. This convergence suggests that the reduction in available listings is struggling to offset the sharp contraction in individual property revenue performance.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 25% 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 Cleveland listings include: Air Conditioning (98%), Kitchen (95%), Tv (88%), Washing Machine (81%), Heating (69%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Lake Access, Hot Tub, Pool, with Lake Access properties earning approximately 34% more ($60K/year vs $45K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cleveland over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $3K, July: $3K, August: $3K, September: $2K, October: $2K, November: $1K, December: $1K, January: $851, February: $825, March: $1K, 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 Cleveland is $208, up 12% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $122/night, 2-bedroom properties average $163/night, 3-bedroom properties average $238/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $410/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in January.

Guests in Cleveland book an average of 29 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 23 days, 2-bedroom: 27 days, 3-bedroom: 32 days, 4+ bedroom: 35 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cleveland Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 4%, revenue per listing decreased 21%, occupancy fell 10%, average nightly rates increased 12%, and lead time decreased 22%. These shifting metrics point toward a market tightening where higher pricing is failing to compensate for lower occupancy and compressed booking windows.

In Cleveland, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 50% higher occupancy than weekdays.