Cambridge, Minnesota Short-Term Rental Market
Cambridge, MN STRs averaged $184/night at 43.9% occupancy in April 2026, with a summer lake peak and investability score of 88.6.
Quick Answer: Cambridge, Minnesota is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 63%. average monthly revenue is $4,729. average daily rate is $302. the top operator is Evolve with 337 listings. market score is 71/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Minnesota Area regional market, which includes Cambridge. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cambridge.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Cambridge is the seat of Isanti County in east-central Minnesota, approximately 45 miles north of Minneapolis. The area draws visitors to the North Branch of the Rum River, nearby lakes, and the expanding Twin Cities exurban recreation market. In April 2026, the market posted an average daily rate of $184 and occupancy of 43.9%, generating $81 in RevPAR. Year-over-year, occupancy rose 2.7 percentage points while ADR grew 6.2% and average monthly revenue declined 3.3%.
The listing mix is almost entirely entire-place rentals: 9,675 entire-place listings versus 727 private rooms and 6 shared rooms. Two-bedroom units lead at 3,013 listings, followed by one-bedroom (2,551), three-bedroom (2,537), four-bedroom (1,420), and five-bedroom-plus (876). Channel distribution shows 4,753 listings on both platforms, 4,169 on Airbnb only, and 1,486 on VRBO only. The investability score of 88.6 and revenue growth score of 80.6 out of 100 are above average for a Minnesota exurban lake market.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40% | $180 | $2,076 |
| Feb | 45% | $181 | $2,063 |
| Mar | 46% | $171 | $2,212 |
| Apr | 47% | $158 | $1,915 |
| May | 54% | $195 | $2,323 |
| Jun | 66% | $253 | $3,994 |
| Jul | 71% | $255 | $4,769 |
| Aug | 66% | $251 | $4,457 |
| Sep | 50% | $214 | $2,966 |
| Oct | 50% | $196 | $2,740 |
| Nov | 41% | $164 | $1,982 |
| Dec | 47% | $180 | $2,160 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Cambridge
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 337 | 13,110 | ★ 4.77 |
| 2 | Cascade Vacation Rentals | 182 | 3,861 | ★ 4.76 |
| 3 | Heirloom | 112 | 7,458 | ★ 4.82 |
| 4 | Sota Lake Home Rentals | 61 | 1,310 | ★ 4.50 |
| 5 | Woods To Water Vacation Homes | 48 | 939 | ★ 4.95 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cambridge?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,551 |
| 2 bed | 3,013 |
| 3 bed | 2,537 |
| 4 bed | 1,420 |
| 5 bed | 876 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $316 |
| Luxury | $536 |
| Professionally Managed | $387 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $3,651 |
| Entire Place | $4,948 |
| House | $5,105 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 40.1% |
| vrbo | 14.3% |
| both | 45.7% |
Investment Analysis
At a typical home value of $326,736 and average monthly STR revenue of $2,119 in April 2026, a Cambridge STR implies an annualized gross revenue of approximately $25,428, representing a gross yield of roughly 7.8% before expenses, management fees, and taxes. The investability score of 88.6 reflects the combination of affordable entry price, permissive state framework, and proximity to the Twin Cities demand base.
Professionally managed listings ($222 ADR) command a 21% premium over the market average ($184). Luxury-tier properties average $376 ADR, a 104% premium. Houses average $2,221/month versus apartments at $1,923/month, a gap of $298/month. Annual average revenue has grown from 2022 through 2025: 2022 averaged $3,143/month, 2023 $3,003, 2024 $3,071, and 2025 $3,335. The revenue growth score of 80.6 out of 100 suggests continued momentum despite the near-term dip.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Cambridge guests book an average of 43.2 days in advance, with an average length of stay of 3.95 nights. The 43-day lead time is near the national STR median. The 3.95-night average stay is consistent with extended weekend lake and outdoor recreation trips from the Twin Cities.
Operators should focus pricing strategy on the June through August window, which generates substantially higher revenue than any other period. Minimum-stay policies of 2-3 nights are appropriate for most of the year, with 4-5 night minimums for peak summer weekends. The 40-46% occupancy floor in winter months indicates some year-round demand that can be captured with flexible pricing and shorter minimums.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cambridge, MN and Isanti County require registration under a county-level Short-Term Rental ordinance (Isanti County Document 2842). Properties in unincorporated county areas operating as rural tourism retreats also require a Conditional Use Permit under the Zoning Ordinance Section 14, Subdivision 12 (2026 fee: $500 for Conditional Use Permits). The specific STR permit fee from the standalone county STR ordinance was not recoverable from available public sources.
Properties within Cambridge city limits are subject to Cambridge municipal ordinances separately from county requirements. The combined lodging tax rate is 6.88%. No owner-occupancy requirement was confirmed in available data. Enforcement is rated moderate. The Isanti County Zoning Ordinance was amended December 3, 2024 to adjust agriculture and residential district rules. Minnesota does not have a statewide STR preemption law, meaning local governments retain full authority to regulate STRs.
Market Comparison
Against national benchmarks of roughly 55% median occupancy and $220 median ADR, Cambridge’s April 2026 occupancy of 43.9% is below the national median by 11 percentage points, reflecting the off-peak April timing for a Minnesota lake market. The $184 ADR is 16% below the national baseline. The investability score of 88.6 out of 100 is above average.
Evolve leads with 337 listings, 13,110 reviews, and a 4.77 average rating. Cascade Vacation Rentals ranks second with 182 listings and 3,861 reviews (4.76 rating). Heirloom holds third with 112 listings and 7,458 reviews (4.82 rating). The top three operators manage 631 listings combined in a market of approximately 10,408 total listings. The revenue growth score of 80.6 out of 100 and total market score of 71.3 position Cambridge as an above-average value market within Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge, Minnesota
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