Williamsburg

As of May 2026, Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown have 1,966 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 2% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Williamsburg generates $24K per year. High-performing properties earn $73K/year, while low-performing properties earn $11K/year. The significant delta between top earners and the average suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated, indicating that market saturation may be affecting average assets more than those capturing premium demand.

Average home prices in Williamsburg vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $242K, 2-bedroom homes average $256K, 3-bedroom properties are around $369K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $485K. These prices reflect median home values across the Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Williamsburg, with an average gross yield of 6% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 19%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This wide spread highlights that profitability is highly sensitive to operational performance rather than just market-wide conditions, as supply remains stagnant.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Williamsburg is 26%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $240, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $50 per day.

3-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Williamsburg, with an average gross yield of 10% and annual revenue of $35K. These properties balance purchase price ($369K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Williamsburg market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Williamsburg area. Williamsburg: Moderate. Zoning permit required, conditional use permit in residential areas, safety inspections. Moderate enforcement in historic district. Newport News: Lenient. Business license required, zoning compliance needed. Light enforcement, many operate without full compliance. Hampton: Moderate. Business license and zoning approval required, 730-day rental cap. Moderate enforcement through complaints. Yorktown: Strict. Special use permit mandatory, owner-occupancy required, density limits enforced. Active enforcement in historic areas. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Williamsburg Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 2% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 2%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The synchronized contraction in both inventory and revenue suggests a stabilizing market where reduced supply is not yet creating upward pressure on per-unit earnings.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -7% 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 Williamsburg listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Kitchen (90%), Washing Machine (83%), Tv (66%), Balcony (63%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Internet, Parking, Gym, with Internet properties earning approximately 53% more ($75K/year vs $49K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Williamsburg over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $2K, July: $3K, August: $2K, September: $1K, October: $2K, November: $1K, December: $2K, January: $503, February: $527, March: $1K, 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 Williamsburg is $240, up 16% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $165/night, 2-bedroom properties average $196/night, 3-bedroom properties average $280/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $439/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in January.

Guests in Williamsburg book an average of 27 days in advance, down 16% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 23 days, 2-bedroom: 25 days, 3-bedroom: 30 days, 4+ bedroom: 37 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Williamsburg Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 2%, revenue per listing decreased 2%, occupancy fell 4%, average nightly rates increased 16%, and lead time decreased 16%. These metrics reveal a shift toward shorter booking windows and higher pricing, despite softening occupancy and overall revenue.

In Williamsburg, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 50% higher occupancy than weekdays.