Marin County

As of May 2026, San Francisco, Sausalito, Mill Valley have 4,631 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 11% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Marin County generates $75K per year. High-performing properties earn $175K/year, while low-performing properties earn $28K/year. This significant spread highlights a bifurcated market where top-tier assets capture outsized returns despite a 10.6% decline in total supply, suggesting that demand is increasingly concentrated among fewer, premium listings.

Average home prices in Marin County vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $512K, 2-bedroom homes average $691K, 3-bedroom properties are around $1.0M, and 4+ bedroom homes average $1.2M. These prices reflect median home values across the San Francisco, Sausalito, Mill Valley area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Marin County, with an average gross yield of 6% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 15%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. The gap between average and top yields points to a market environment where performance is driven by asset-specific revenue generation rather than broad market growth.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Marin County is 35%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $521, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $144 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Marin County, with an average gross yield of 9% and annual revenue of $133K. These properties balance purchase price ($1.2M), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Marin County market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Marin County area. San Francisco: Strict. Office of Short-Term Rental Registration required, 90-day cap for non-hosted, primary residence only. Very active enforcement with fines and platform compliance checks. Sausalito: Strict. Conditional use permit required, owner-occupancy mandatory, 30-day minimum stays in most zones. Active enforcement with neighbor complaints driving action. Mill Valley: Strict. Prohibited in residential zones except hosted stays, conditional use permit needed. Active enforcement through code compliance and community reporting. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Marin County Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 11% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 2%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The contraction in supply alongside stagnant revenue suggests the market is stabilizing as operators adjust to current occupancy levels of 35%.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 29% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (December-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Marin County listings include: Kitchen (94%), Washing Machine (74%), Tv (74%), Heating (65%), Balcony (63%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Washing Machine, Hot Tub, with Pool properties earning approximately 90% more ($166K/year vs $87K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Marin County over the last 12 months: May: $4K, June: $5K, July: $5K, August: $5K, September: $4K, October: $5K, November: $4K, December: $4K, January: $3K, February: $3K, March: $5K, April: $5K. 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 Marin County is $521, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $259/night, 2-bedroom properties average $399/night, 3-bedroom properties average $583/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $1K/night. Rates peak in April and are lowest in January.

Guests in Marin County book an average of 39 days in advance, down 19% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 33 days, 2-bedroom: 37 days, 3-bedroom: 42 days, 4+ bedroom: 49 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Marin County Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 11%, revenue per listing decreased 2%, occupancy fell 6%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 19%. These indicators reveal a tightening market where higher pricing is failing to offset lower utilization, pointing to shifting booking behaviors.

In Marin County, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 60% higher occupancy than weekdays.