Johnson City

As of June 2026, Johnson City, Boone, Asheville have 1,061 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 2% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Johnson City generates $27K per year. High-performing properties earn $48K/year, while low-performing properties earn $10K/year. Despite minimal supply growth, revenue has declined significantly year-over-year, suggesting demand contraction outpacing any new listings. The substantial gap between high and average performers indicates a bifurcated market where property differentiation heavily influences financial outcomes.

Average home prices in Johnson City vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $0, 2-bedroom homes average $195K, 3-bedroom properties are around $308K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $392K. These prices reflect median home values across the Johnson City, Boone, Asheville area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Johnson City, with an average gross yield of 10% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 18%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. However, the market faces headwinds: revenue declined 27% year-over-year while supply grew slightly, creating intensifying competition at a 36% occupancy rate. The wide performance gap—from $26,679 to $47,706 average revenue—suggests differentiation remains critical in a contracting market.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Johnson City is 36%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $187, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $51 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Johnson City, with an average gross yield of 13% and annual revenue of $54K. These properties balance purchase price ($392K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Johnson City market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Johnson City area. Johnson City: Moderate. Business license required, zoning restrictions apply, some residential areas prohibited. Enforcement exists but inconsistent. Boone: Strict. Residential STRs banned in most zones since 2021, only allowed in commercial areas. Active enforcement with violations pursued. Asheville: Strict. Whole-home STRs require special permits, owner-occupancy required for homestays, density caps in place. Active enforcement with regular inspections and fines. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Johnson City Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 2% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 27%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The significant gap between average revenue ($26,679) and top performers ($47,706) suggests differentiation opportunities exist, though the 36% occupancy rate signals intensifying competition as supply growth outpaces demand recovery.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 22% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Johnson City listings include: Kitchen (96%), Air Conditioning (96%), Tv (85%), Washing Machine (81%), Heating (70%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Lake Access, Pool, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 60% more ($54K/year vs $34K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Johnson City over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $2K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $2K, October: $2K, November: $2K, December: $2K, January: $972, February: $952, 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 Johnson City is $187, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $122/night, 2-bedroom properties average $164/night, 3-bedroom properties average $203/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $401/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Johnson City book an average of 28 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 23 days, 2-bedroom: 29 days, 3-bedroom: 29 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 Johnson City Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 2%, revenue per listing decreased 27%, occupancy fell 24%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 22%. The modest supply growth paired with significant occupancy decline signals weakening demand relative to available inventory, intensifying competition. The substantial revenue gap between high-performing ($47,706) and average listings ($26,679) suggests market bifurcation, where differentiation increasingly determines financial viability.

In Johnson City, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 42% higher occupancy than weekdays.