Wilmington (de)

As of May 2026, Wilmington, Newark, New Castle have 535 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 16% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Wilmington (DE) generates $23K per year. High-performing properties earn $49K/year, while low-performing properties earn $8K/year. The wide revenue disparity highlights significant polarization in how effectively different listings capture the limited 33% occupancy pool, suggesting that market share is heavily concentrated among top-tier performers.

Average home prices in Wilmington (DE) vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $181K, 2-bedroom homes average $259K, 3-bedroom properties are around $355K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $502K. These prices reflect median home values across the Wilmington, Newark, New Castle area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Wilmington (DE), with an average gross yield of 5% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 11%, which is considered good for short-term rental investment. This yield spread indicates that while the broader market faces revenue headwinds, top operators capture outsized returns, likely through superior asset utilization.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Wilmington (DE) is 33%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $202, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $41 per day.

3-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Wilmington (DE), with an average gross yield of 9% and annual revenue of $34K. These properties balance purchase price ($355K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Wilmington (DE) market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Wilmington (DE) area. Wilmington: Moderate. Business license required, zoning restrictions apply. Some enforcement through complaints. Newark: Lenient. No specific STR regulations, general business license needed. Minimal enforcement activity. New Castle: Lenient. Basic business license requirement, follows county zoning. Light enforcement, complaint-driven. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Wilmington (DE) Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 16% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 34%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. Despite the supply contraction, the sharper revenue decline suggests that demand has softened more aggressively than inventory, leading to a more challenging environment for revenue growth.

Launch around July, 2-3 months before peak fall season (October peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -78% 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 Wilmington (DE) listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Kitchen (90%), Tv (89%), Washing Machine (79%), Heating (74%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Pets Allowed, Bbq, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 26% more ($44K/year vs $35K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Wilmington (DE) over the last 12 months: May: $1K, June: $1K, July: $1K, August: $1K, September: $1K, October: $2K, November: $2K, December: $2K, January: $884, February: $802, March: $1K, 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 Wilmington (DE) is $202, up 24% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $133/night, 2-bedroom properties average $187/night, 3-bedroom properties average $270/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $398/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Wilmington (DE) book an average of 28 days in advance, down 19% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 24 days, 2-bedroom: 28 days, 3-bedroom: 31 days, 4+ bedroom: 36 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Wilmington (DE) Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 16%, revenue per listing decreased 34%, occupancy fell 21%, average nightly rates increased 24%, and lead time decreased 19%. These shifts point to a market transitioning toward shorter booking windows and lower utilization, where higher nightly pricing is failing to offset volume losses.

In Wilmington (DE), Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 39% higher occupancy than weekdays.