Harrisonburg

As of May 2026, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Charlottesville have 1,033 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Harrisonburg generates $55K per year. High-performing properties earn $130K/year, while low-performing properties earn $22K/year. This wide variance suggests that earnings are heavily tied to specific asset positioning rather than market-wide averages, separating properties that capture premium demand from those struggling to maintain baseline occupancy.

Average home prices in Harrisonburg vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $0, 2-bedroom homes average $255K, 3-bedroom properties are around $353K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $467K. These prices reflect median home values across the Harrisonburg, Staunton, Charlottesville area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Harrisonburg, with an average gross yield of 15% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 35%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. The substantial delta between average and high yields highlights that top-tier assets are significantly outperforming the broader market's revenue potential.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Harrisonburg is 35%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $360, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $113 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Harrisonburg, with an average gross yield of 18% and annual revenue of $81K. These properties balance purchase price ($467K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Harrisonburg market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Harrisonburg area. Harrisonburg: Moderate. Zoning permit required, must be owner-occupied or have conditional use permit. Some enforcement through complaints. Staunton: Lenient. Business license required, zoning compliance needed. Light enforcement, complaint-driven. Charlottesville: Strict. Special use permit mandatory, owner-occupancy required for whole-house rentals, 30-day minimum in some zones. Active enforcement with violations tracked. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Harrisonburg Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 6%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The slight decline in RevPAR alongside modest supply growth suggests the market is absorbing new inventory without experiencing excessive saturation.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 33% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-September) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Harrisonburg listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (93%), Tv (85%), Washing Machine (81%), Heating (68%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Sauna, Ev Charger, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 102% more ($91K/year vs $45K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Harrisonburg over the last 12 months: May: $3K, June: $3K, July: $4K, August: $4K, September: $2K, October: $4K, November: $4K, December: $5K, January: $4K, February: $3K, March: $3K, 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 Harrisonburg is $360, up 19% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $178/night, 2-bedroom properties average $207/night, 3-bedroom properties average $270/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $529/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Harrisonburg book an average of 36 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 27 days, 2-bedroom: 30 days, 3-bedroom: 36 days, 4+ bedroom: 42 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Harrisonburg Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 5%, revenue per listing decreased 6%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 19%, and lead time decreased 22%. Rising rates paired with falling occupancy and shorter lead times signal a shift toward more impulsive, price-sensitive booking behavior.

In Harrisonburg, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 123% higher occupancy than weekdays.