Kirkwood

As of May 2026, South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood, Placerville have 447 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Kirkwood generates $38K per year. High-performing properties earn $75K/year, while low-performing properties earn $23K/year. This significant spread suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated in a subset of listings, as overall market revenue has contracted despite stable supply levels.

Average home prices in Kirkwood vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $241K, 2-bedroom homes average $344K, 3-bedroom properties are around $462K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $545K. These prices reflect median home values across the South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood, Placerville area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Kirkwood, with an average gross yield of 9% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 17%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. The gap between average and top performers indicates that yield optimization remains possible even as the broader market experiences a slight revenue decline.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Kirkwood is 27%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $335, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $77 per day.

2-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Kirkwood, with an average gross yield of 11% and annual revenue of $38K. These properties balance purchase price ($344K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Kirkwood market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Kirkwood area. South Lake Tahoe: Strict. Permit required, owner-occupancy mandate for most zones, strict density caps by neighborhood. Active enforcement with significant fines and permit revocations. Kirkwood: Lenient. Part of unincorporated El Dorado County. TOT collection required but minimal STR-specific regulations. Light enforcement. Placerville: Moderate. Business license and TOT required, zoning restrictions apply. Moderate enforcement through complaint-based system. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Kirkwood Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 4%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics, where the contraction in inventory is effectively offsetting the downward pressure on per-unit revenue.

Launch around November, 2-3 months before peak winter season (February peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 35% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (October-September) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Kirkwood listings include: Kitchen (95%), Tv (75%), Heating (75%), Air Conditioning (70%), Balcony (64%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Ski In Out, Pool, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 41% more ($65K/year vs $46K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Kirkwood over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $2K, July: $3K, August: $3K, September: $1K, October: $2K, November: $2K, December: $3K, January: $3K, February: $3K, March: $3K, 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 Kirkwood is $335, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $206/night, 2-bedroom properties average $333/night, 3-bedroom properties average $362/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $574/night. Rates peak in February and are lowest in May.

Guests in Kirkwood book an average of 32 days in advance, down 16% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 30 days, 3-bedroom: 35 days, 4+ bedroom: 40 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Kirkwood Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 5%, revenue per listing decreased 4%, occupancy fell 7%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 16%. These metrics suggest a shift toward higher pricing strategies amidst lower occupancy, indicating that hosts are prioritizing rate over volume.

In Kirkwood, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 70% higher occupancy than weekdays.