Oil City

As of June 2026, Oil City, Erie, Pittsburgh have 965 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Oil City generates $24K per year. High-performing properties earn $51K/year, while low-performing properties earn $13K/year. This significant performance variance suggests that revenue is heavily skewed toward a small segment of the market, indicating that current demand may not be evenly distributed across all available listings.

Average home prices in Oil City vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $73K, 2-bedroom homes average $125K, 3-bedroom properties are around $173K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $198K. These prices reflect median home values across the Oil City, Erie, Pittsburgh area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Oil City, with an average gross yield of 16% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 34%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. The wide gap between average and top-tier yields highlights that profitability in this region is highly sensitive to listing-specific execution.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Oil City is 29%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $206, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $46 per day.

1-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Oil City, with an average gross yield of 22% and annual revenue of $16K. These properties balance purchase price ($73K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Oil City market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Oil City area. Oil City: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permit requirements. Operates under general zoning and tax rules. Minimal enforcement. Erie: Moderate. Business privilege license required, zoning compliance needed, safety inspections. Moderate enforcement through complaints. Pittsburgh: Moderate. Host license required ($50/year), owner-occupancy for entire homes, safety standards. Enforcement exists but inconsistent, many unlicensed hosts operate. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Oil City Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 21%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The decline in RevPAR despite stable supply growth suggests that market saturation is beginning to compress pricing power across the board.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak fall season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 70% 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 Oil City listings include: Kitchen (97%), Air Conditioning (90%), Tv (83%), Heating (72%), Washing Machine (61%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Lake Access, Washing Machine, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 50% more ($51K/year vs $34K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Oil City over the last 12 months: May: $1K, June: $2K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $1K, October: $2K, November: $2K, December: $1K, January: $821, February: $825, March: $982, April: $1K. 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 Oil City is $206, up 20% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $155/night, 2-bedroom properties average $176/night, 3-bedroom properties average $220/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $341/night. Rates peak in November and are lowest in May.

Guests in Oil City book an average of 33 days in advance, down 23% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 29 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 35 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 Oil City Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 1%, revenue per listing decreased 21%, occupancy fell 16%, average nightly rates increased 20%, and lead time decreased 23%. These metrics reflect a shift toward a more price-sensitive environment where higher rates are struggling to sustain occupancy.

In Oil City, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 77% higher occupancy than weekdays.