Waterloo, IA
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Overview
Annual Rev
$32k
12 mo avg
↑10%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
30%
12 mo avg
↓3%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
$198
12 mo avg
↑19%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
31 days
12 mo avg
↓8 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
$64
12 mo avg
↑5%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Waterloo market data as of September 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Avg. Zestimate
Gross yield
Supply
Amenity revenue impact
| Amenity | Est. revenue impact |
|---|---|
| Hot Tub | +15% $4,802/yr |
| Heating | 🔒 +1•% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Lake Access | 🔒 +7% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Sauna | 🔒 +7% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Barbecue | 🔒 +5% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| EV Charger | 🔒 +5% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Bicycles | 🔒 +4% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Pool | 🔒 +4% · $••••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Gym | 🔒 +3% · $•••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| Internet | 🔒 +2% · $•••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
| TV | 🔒 +1% · $•••/yr Revenue lift and listing count available in Markets |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
3 bedrooms (10.0 nights)
2 bedrooms (5.2 nights)
1 bedroom (4.5 nights)
4+ bedrooms (3.9 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
4+ bedrooms ($131)
3 bedrooms ($91)
2 bedrooms ($63)
1 bedroom ($56)
Professional host share
Professionally managed (59%)
Independent hosts (41%)
Housing market signals
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Over the 12 months ending August 2026, the Waterloo market averaged 402 active Airbnb and VRBO listings, up 0% from a year earlier and up 163% over two years.
An average Waterloo listing earns $28K/year. High-performing listings earn $53K, while low-performing listings earn $14K.
Median Waterloo home prices by size are 1-bedroom $76K, 2-bedroom $156K, 3-bedroom $216K, and 4+ bedroom $262K.
Average gross yield is 13%, reaching 24% for high-performing listings. Gross yield excludes financing and operating costs, so net profitability varies by property.
Average occupancy in Waterloo is 33%, producing RevPAR of $57 per available night.
2-bedroom listings have the highest average gross yield at 17%. They average $28K/year in revenue against a $156K median purchase price.
Rules vary across Waterloo. Waterloo: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permit requirements. Operates under general business licensing and zoning rules. Minimal enforcement. Cedar Falls: Lenient. No dedicated STR ordinance. Subject to standard zoning and business regulations only. Light enforcement. Cedar Rapids: Moderate. Business license required, zoning compliance, safety inspections. Registration through city required. Moderate enforcement with complaint-driven action. Verify requirements for the property's jurisdiction.
The Waterloo Airbnb and VRBO market does not show clear signs of oversaturation. Supply has grown 0% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 8%, suggesting demand is outpacing available supply.
RevPAR is highest in July and June; it is lowest in January and February.
The most common amenities are Air Conditioning (98%), Internet (98%), Heating (95%). The strongest positive revenue associations are Bbq (+45%), Heating (+30%), Internet (+29%).
Average daily rate in Waterloo is $207, up 17% year-over-year. Rates peak in July and are lowest in February.
Guests in Waterloo book an average of 34 days in advance, down 11% from last year. Booking windows range from 31 days for 1-bedroom listings to 42 days for 4+ bedroom listings.
Booking demand is highest on Saturday and lowest on Monday. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekend occupancy is 79% higher than weekday occupancy.