Oakland

As of May 2026, Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose have 3,305 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 26% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Oakland generates $33K per year. High-performing properties earn $68K/year, while low-performing properties earn $11K/year. This wide disparity suggests that revenue outcomes are highly polarized, as top-tier listings capture significantly more market share than the average, likely due to specific property attributes or operational advantages.

Average home prices in Oakland vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $415K, 2-bedroom homes average $658K, 3-bedroom properties are around $1.1M, and 4+ bedroom homes average $1.3M. These prices reflect median home values across the Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Oakland, with an average gross yield of 3% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 6%, which is considered poor for short-term rental investment. The low yield ceiling indicates that even top-performing assets struggle to outpace traditional capital growth expectations in the current market climate.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Oakland is 43%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $213, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $57 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Oakland, with an average gross yield of 5% and annual revenue of $69K. These properties balance purchase price ($1.3M), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Oakland market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Oakland area. Oakland: Moderate. Business license required, owner-occupancy mandate, 90-day cap for non-hosted. Enforcement exists but inconsistent. San Francisco: Strict. Registration mandatory, owner-occupancy required, 90-day cap for unhosted. Active enforcement with fines and platform compliance checks. Berkeley: Strict. Permit required, owner-occupancy mandate, 90-day annual cap. Active enforcement with neighbor complaints driving action. San Jose: Strict. Permit required, owner-occupancy only, 180-day cap. Active enforcement with significant fines. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Oakland Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced with strong demand conditions. Supply has declined 26% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 4%. This indicates healthy demand growth outpacing supply, suggesting that the reduction in total listings is tightening the market and providing a more favorable environment for remaining operators.

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

The most common amenities in Oakland listings include: Kitchen (95%), Tv (87%), Heating (81%), Washing Machine (73%), Parking (66%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Washing Machine, Ev Charger, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 39% more ($68K/year vs $49K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Oakland over the last 12 months: May: $1K, June: $1K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $2K, October: $2K, November: $2K, December: $2K, January: $1K, February: $2K, March: $2K, 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 Oakland is $213, up 24% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $133/night, 2-bedroom properties average $224/night, 3-bedroom properties average $328/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $472/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Oakland book an average of 29 days in advance, down 13% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 29 days, 2-bedroom: 30 days, 3-bedroom: 29 days, 4+ bedroom: 31 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Oakland Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 26%, revenue per listing increased 4%, occupancy rose 1%, average nightly rates increased 24%, and lead time decreased 13%. These metrics reflect a shift toward a pricing-heavy model where hosts are capturing higher nightly premiums despite shorter booking windows.

In Oakland, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 14% higher occupancy than weekdays.