Joseph, Oregon Short-Term Rental Market
Joseph OR STRs averaged $174/night at 45.7% occupancy in April 2026 across 6,310 active listings.
Quick Answer: Joseph, Oregon is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 46%. average monthly revenue is $2,220. average daily rate is $174. the top operator is Vacasa with 372 listings. market score is 55/100 (grade C).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Joseph is a small arts and outdoor destination town in the Wallowa Valley of northeastern Oregon, often called the gateway to the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Despite a resident population of approximately 1,054, the STR dataset covers a substantial surrounding area: 6,310 active listings as of April 2026. The market posted an average daily rate of $174.29 and occupancy of 45.7%, producing a RevPAR of $79.62. The listing mix is dominated by entire-place rentals: 5,822 (92.3% of total), 480 private rooms (7.6%), and 8 shared rooms. The bedroom mix is tilted toward smaller units: 1-bedroom leads at 2,382 (37.8%), followed by 2-bedroom at 1,591 (25.2%), 3-bedroom at 1,507 (23.9%), 4-bedroom at 564 (8.9%), and 5-bedroom at 259 (4.1%). Channel distribution shows 3,079 Airbnb-only listings, 506 VRBO-only, and 2,725 on both platforms. Visitors are primarily drive-market leisure travelers from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho drawn by alpine scenery, Wallowa Lake, hiking and backpacking in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, fishing, and Joseph’s nationally recognized public bronze-sculpture scene. Key annual events include Chief Joseph Days Rodeo in July and Bronze, Blues and Brews in August. Year-over-year, occupancy declined 2.93 percentage points and revenue fell 3.12%, while ADR rose 3.54%, indicating softer demand offset by higher average nightly rates.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42% | $186 | $2,247 |
| Feb | 48% | $184 | $2,201 |
| Mar | 50% | $175 | $2,338 |
| Apr | 48% | $162 | $2,109 |
| May | 55% | $170 | $2,339 |
| Jun | 66% | $193 | $3,234 |
| Jul | 69% | $202 | $3,798 |
| Aug | 64% | $199 | $3,513 |
| Sep | 54% | $183 | $2,665 |
| Oct | 50% | $167 | $2,321 |
| Nov | 46% | $163 | $1,971 |
| Dec | 48% | $192 | $2,497 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Joseph
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 372 | 27,196 | ★ 4.58 |
| 2 | Evolve | 123 | 5,400 | ★ 4.72 |
| 3 | The Official Collins Lake Resort | 89 | 360 | ★ 4.78 |
| 4 | Mt Hood Vacation Homes | 66 | 3,894 | ★ 4.52 |
| 5 | Arrived Vacation Rentals | 63 | 4,437 | ★ 4.75 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Joseph?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,382 |
| 2 bed | 1,591 |
| 3 bed | 1,507 |
| 4 bed | 564 |
| 5 bed | 259 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $181 |
| Luxury | $311 |
| Professionally Managed | $240 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,920 |
| Entire Place | $2,307 |
| House | $2,357 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 48.8% |
| vrbo | 8% |
| both | 43.2% |
Investment Analysis
Joseph’s investment case rests on strong ADR relative to its geographic setting, though the 2026 year-over-year metrics show a softening trend. Housing snapshot data is not currently available for this market, so gross yield calculations cannot be completed from available data. At the all-listings average monthly revenue of $2,220, projecting $26,637 in annualized gross revenue provides a reference point for evaluating acquisition costs independently. ADR varies significantly by tier: all-listings average is $174.29, entire-home listings average $180.64, professionally managed properties average $239.83, and luxury-tier listings average $311.02. The professionally managed premium of $65.54/night above the market average (37.6% lift) is substantial, suggesting that professionally operated, higher-quality listings consistently achieve rates well above the baseline. Revenue by property type shows houses averaging $2,357/month, entire-place listings averaging $2,307/month, and apartments averaging $1,920/month. Houses outperform apartments by $437/month. Year-over-year revenue declined 3.12% in April 2026, and the 2021 peak annual average of $3,164/month has not been recaptured. The market-score investability rating of 69.2 out of 100 and total score of 55.4 are the lowest in this batch, signaling that the market carries more risk or uncertainty than the other four areas analyzed. Investors should weigh the declining occupancy trend, the remote location limiting the buyer pool, and the seasonal concentration of revenue.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
Run a Free Address Analysis
Skip the market averages. Get revenue projections, comp analysis, and ROI for your specific property address. Free, instant, no signup required.
Analyze My Property →Booking Insights
Joseph guests book an average of 39.4 days in advance and stay an average of 3.69 nights per visit. A 39-day lead time gives operators approximately 5 to 6 weeks of pricing visibility, which is sufficient for dynamic rate management in this remote destination. The 3.69-night average length of stay is consistent with guests planning multi-day wilderness and nature itineraries rather than quick weekend trips, reflecting the location’s distance from major population centers. Travelers driving to the Wallowa Valley from Portland, Boise, or Seattle are investing significant travel time, which naturally favors longer stays. Longer average stays reduce turnover costs and cleaning frequency, which improves net margins per booking. Operators should set minimum stays of 3 to 5 nights during peak summer months when demand is strongest, and consider shorter minimums or last-minute discounting in the spring and fall shoulder seasons to fill gaps.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Joseph permits short-term rentals and the primary compliance obligation is multi-layered lodging tax registration. Within Joseph city limits, no dedicated STR operating ordinance was identified in the current municipal code. There is no confirmed city STR permit requirement, no owner-occupancy mandate, no primary-residence requirement, and no annual night cap within city limits. Operators must register and remit transient lodging taxes at three levels: the City of Joseph levies a 3% transient lodging tax (approved to increase to 4% effective January 1, 2027, with the additional 1% earmarked for Main Street improvements), Wallowa County levies a 5% county transient lodging tax (operators must register with the County Treasurer, receive a non-transferable Certificate of Authority, and file quarterly returns), and Oregon state adds 2.5% (increased from 1.5% effective January 1, 2026 under HB 2977). The combined effective rate as of 2026 is approximately 10.5%, rising to approximately 11.5% in 2027. For properties in unincorporated Wallowa County (outside city limits), STRs are permitted in Commercial Recreation (CR-2) zones via a county zone permit with conditions including off-street parking, an approved fire-protection contract, and a local manager contact provided to neighbors and the planning department. Enforcement is complaint-based and rated minimal. Investors should confirm parcel jurisdiction (city vs. county) before purchasing, as county properties face additional permit requirements.
Market Comparison
At 45.7% occupancy and $174.29 ADR, Joseph falls below the approximate U.S. STR median occupancy of 55% but is closer to the national median ADR of roughly $220 than most markets at this occupancy level, reflecting the premium rates the Wallowa Valley commands among outdoor recreation destinations. The market’s total score of 55.4 out of 100 and investability score of 69.2 are the lowest of the five markets in this batch, indicating lower relative opportunity or higher risk. The revenue growth score of 55.1 and the year-over-year occupancy decline of 2.93 percentage points suggest demand has not recovered to 2021 levels. Among top operators, Vacasa leads with 372 listings and 27,196 reviews at a 4.58 rating, representing 5.9% of total listings. Evolve holds 123 listings with 5,400 reviews at 4.72. The Official Collins Lake Resort manages 89 listings with 360 reviews at 4.78. Mt Hood Vacation Homes operates 66 listings with 3,894 reviews at 4.52. Arrived Vacation Rentals holds 63 listings with 4,437 reviews at 4.75. Vacasa’s dominant position at 5.9% of listings, combined with its lower-than-average 4.58 rating, leaves room for well-managed independent operators to compete on guest experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph, Oregon
What is the average nightly rate for short-term rentals in Joseph, OR?
What is the average occupancy rate for Airbnbs near Joseph, OR?
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Joseph, OR?
What is the lodging tax rate for short-term rentals in Joseph, OR?
What are the best and worst months for short-term rentals in Joseph?
Who are the largest property managers in the Joseph, OR STR market?
Is Joseph, OR a good market for Airbnb investment?
Analyze Joseph Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Joseph.
Free Joseph STR Calculator →
