Great Falls

As of June 2026, Great Falls, Helena, Glacier National Park have 318 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 9% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Great Falls generates $24K per year. High-performing properties earn $46K/year, while low-performing properties earn $10K/year. Despite declining supply year-over-year, revenue has fallen faster, suggesting demand softness outpacing inventory reduction. The near-doubling gap between high and average performers indicates significant performance variance, pointing to a bifurcated market where differentiation heavily influences outcomes.

Average home prices in Great Falls vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $182K, 2-bedroom homes average $238K, 3-bedroom properties are around $318K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $339K. These prices reflect median home values across the Great Falls, Helena, Glacier National Park area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Great Falls, 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. Despite supply declining 9% year-over-year, revenue has contracted 27%, indicating demand is shrinking faster than inventory—a challenging dynamic that's compressed the market and widened the performance gap between top and average operators.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Great Falls is 34%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $179, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $45 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Great Falls, with an average gross yield of 12% and annual revenue of $46K. These properties balance purchase price ($339K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Great Falls market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Great Falls area. Great Falls: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permit requirements. Operates under general business license and zoning rules. Minimal enforcement. Helena: Lenient. Business license required, zoning compliance needed. No owner-occupancy rules or caps. Light enforcement, mostly complaint-driven. Glacier National Park: Strict. Federal land prohibits STRs within park boundaries. Gateway communities (Whitefish, Columbia Falls) have varying local rules. Park Service actively enforces prohibition inside park. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Great Falls Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 9% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 27%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The significant gap between average revenue ($24,141) and high-performing properties ($45,969) suggests that property differentiation is driving performance variance, while the 34% occupancy rate reflects softer demand relative to available inventory.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak fall season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 84% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (December-February) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Great Falls listings include: Kitchen (94%), Air Conditioning (86%), Tv (85%), Washing Machine (82%), Heating (68%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Washing Machine, Bbq, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 75% more ($54K/year vs $31K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Great Falls over the last 12 months: May: $1K, June: $2K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $1K, October: $1K, November: $1K, December: $1K, January: $852, February: $768, March: $1K, April: $1K. 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 Great Falls is $179, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $121/night, 2-bedroom properties average $150/night, 3-bedroom properties average $198/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $282/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in February.

Guests in Great Falls book an average of 33 days in advance, down 13% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 30 days, 2-bedroom: 30 days, 3-bedroom: 37 days, 4+ bedroom: 39 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Great Falls Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 9%, revenue per listing decreased 27%, occupancy fell 14%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 13%. The steeper revenue decline versus supply contraction suggests demand weakened faster than hosts exited, signaling oversupply relative to booking demand. The substantial gap between average ($24,141) and high-performing listings ($45,969) indicates significant performance stratification in a tightening market.

In Great Falls, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 29% higher occupancy than weekdays.