Raleigh

As of May 2026, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill have 3,760 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Raleigh generates $31K per year. High-performing properties earn $58K/year, while low-performing properties earn $11K/year. The substantial spread between tiers suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated in specialized segments, as broad market averages are currently dampened by a 21% year-over-year decline in earnings.

Average home prices in Raleigh vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $244K, 2-bedroom homes average $226K, 3-bedroom properties are around $314K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $427K. These prices reflect median home values across the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Raleigh, 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. This performance gap highlights that while the average asset struggles against market-wide revenue contraction, top-tier units maintain significant yield resilience.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Raleigh is 38%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $203, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $60 per day.

2-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Raleigh, with an average gross yield of 12% and annual revenue of $27K. These properties balance purchase price ($226K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Raleigh market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Raleigh area. Raleigh: Moderate. Business license required, zoning compliance, owner-occupancy for whole-house rentals under 90 days. Moderate enforcement with complaint-driven action. Durham: Lenient. Business license and special use permit required in some zones. Light enforcement, many operate without permits. Chapel Hill: Strict. Special use permit required, owner-occupancy mandatory, 180-day annual cap. Active enforcement with fines and shutdowns. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Raleigh 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 drop in RevPAR despite static supply levels points toward a softening in guest demand rather than an over-saturation of new listings.

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 (September-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Raleigh listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Kitchen (97%), Tv (92%), Washing Machine (91%), Heating (76%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Air Conditioning, Washing Machine, Bbq, with Air Conditioning properties earning approximately 40% more ($43K/year vs $30K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Raleigh over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $2K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $2K, October: $2K, November: $2K, December: $2K, January: $1K, February: $1K, 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 Raleigh is $203, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $116/night, 2-bedroom properties average $158/night, 3-bedroom properties average $211/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $370/night. Rates peak in November and are lowest in January.

Guests in Raleigh book an average of 28 days in advance, down 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 22 days, 2-bedroom: 28 days, 3-bedroom: 28 days, 4+ bedroom: 34 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Raleigh Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 1%, revenue per listing decreased 21%, occupancy fell 15%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 18%. These metrics reflect a market attempting to offset lower occupancy through higher pricing, resulting in a compressed overall revenue environment.

In Raleigh, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 46% higher occupancy than weekdays.