Flathead

As of June 2026, Whitefish, Kalispell, Glacier National Park have 1,481 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 6% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Flathead generates $32K per year. High-performing properties earn $74K/year, while low-performing properties earn $15K/year. This massive variance indicates that revenue potential is highly polarized, where top performers capture a disproportionate share of total demand despite a contraction in overall market revenue.

Average home prices in Flathead vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $414K, 2-bedroom homes average $509K, 3-bedroom properties are around $692K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $794K. These prices reflect median home values across the Whitefish, Kalispell, Glacier National Park area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Flathead, with an average gross yield of 5% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 11%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. The wide spread between average and high yields suggests that competitive advantage is currently concentrated in a specific subset of assets.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Flathead is 29%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $305, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $54 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Flathead, with an average gross yield of 7% and annual revenue of $60K. These properties balance purchase price ($794K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Flathead market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Flathead area. Whitefish: Strict. Business license required, annual STR permit, owner-occupancy mandatory for residential zones, density caps by neighborhood. Active enforcement with compliance checks and fines. Kalispell: Moderate. Business license and STR permit required, zoning restrictions apply. Enforcement exists but less aggressive than Whitefish. Glacier National Park: Strict. No STRs permitted within park boundaries. National Park Service actively enforces. Nearby gateway communities have varying rules. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Flathead Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 6% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 39%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics, suggesting that the sharp revenue drop is driven by external demand factors rather than an oversupply of short-term rental inventory.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 57% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Flathead listings include: Kitchen (93%), Air Conditioning (80%), Tv (77%), Washing Machine (76%), Heating (63%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Lake Access, Hot Tub, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 47% more ($63K/year vs $43K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Flathead over the last 12 months: May: $1K, June: $3K, July: $4K, August: $4K, September: $2K, October: $1K, November: $716, December: $877, January: $597, February: $587, March: $618, April: $779. 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 Flathead is $305, up 16% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $182/night, 2-bedroom properties average $250/night, 3-bedroom properties average $328/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $655/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in April.

Guests in Flathead book an average of 37 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 32 days, 2-bedroom: 37 days, 3-bedroom: 40 days, 4+ bedroom: 46 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Flathead Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 6%, revenue per listing decreased 39%, occupancy fell 9%, average nightly rates increased 16%, and lead time decreased 22%. These shifting metrics highlight a market adjusting to lower volume through higher pricing, though this strategy has yet to offset the broader decline in revenue.

In Flathead, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 21% higher occupancy than weekdays.