Iowa City, IA
Unlock the data for all Markets
Overview
Annual Rev
$33.7k
12 mo avg
↑30%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
40%
12 mo avg
↑2%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
$179
12 mo avg
↑24%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
29 days
12 mo avg
↓6 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
$61
12 mo avg
↑6%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Iowa City market data as of September 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Avg. Zestimate
Gross yield
Supply
Amenity revenue impact
| Amenity | Est. revenue impact |
|---|---|
| Barbecue | +8% $2,698/yr |
| Lake Access | 🔒 +7% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Sauna | 🔒 +7% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| TV | 🔒 +6% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| EV Charger | 🔒 +5% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Heating | 🔒 +5% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Pets Allowed | 🔒 +5% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Bicycles | 🔒 +4% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Hot Tub | 🔒 +4% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Pool | 🔒 +4% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Gym | 🔒 +3% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
2 bedrooms (6.5 nights)
1 bedroom (6.3 nights)
3 bedrooms (5.0 nights)
4+ bedrooms (4.5 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
4+ bedrooms ($128)
3 bedrooms ($100)
2 bedrooms ($76)
1 bedroom ($50)
Professional host share
Professionally managed (66%)
Independent hosts (34%)
Housing market signals
See how home prices, supply, and buyer competition are changing before you invest.
Are home values in Iowa City going up or down?
Unlock five years of home value changes and Zillow's next-year forecast.
Which home type gives you the most space for the price?
Over the 12 months ending August 2026, the Iowa City market averaged 658 active Airbnb and VRBO listings, down 10% from a year earlier and up 52% over two years.
An average Iowa City listing earns $33K/year. High-performing listings earn $63K, while low-performing listings earn $13K.
Median Iowa City home prices by size are 1-bedroom $100K, 2-bedroom $164K, 3-bedroom $241K, and 4+ bedroom $325K.
Average gross yield is 14%, reaching 26% for high-performing listings. Gross yield excludes financing and operating costs, so net profitability varies by property.
Average occupancy in Iowa City is 43%, producing RevPAR of $59 per available night.
4+ bedroom listings have the highest average gross yield at 18%. They average $61K/year in revenue against a $325K median purchase price.
Rules vary across Iowa City. Iowa City: Moderate. Business license required, zoning compliance, safety inspections. Enforcement through complaint-driven system, moderate activity. Cedar Rapids: Lenient. Business license and sales tax permit required. Minimal specific STR regulations, light enforcement primarily for tax compliance. Amana Colonies: Lenient. No specific STR regulations in unincorporated areas. County zoning applies, minimal enforcement. Operates informally with tourism focus. Verify requirements for the property's jurisdiction.
The Iowa City Airbnb and VRBO market does not show clear signs of oversaturation. Supply has declined 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 18%, suggesting demand is outpacing available supply.
RevPAR is highest in July and June; it is lowest in January and February.
The most common amenities are Air Conditioning (99%), Internet (97%), TV (96%). The strongest positive revenue associations are TV (+66%), Internet (+50%), Bbq (+34%).
Average daily rate in Iowa City is $201, up 23% year-over-year. Rates peak in July and are lowest in January.
Guests in Iowa City book an average of 31 days in advance, down 12% from last year. Booking windows range from 28 days for 1-bedroom listings to 36 days for 4+ bedroom listings.
Booking demand is highest on Saturday and lowest on Monday. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekend occupancy is 38% higher than weekday occupancy.