Kanab, Utah Short-Term Rental Market
Kanab, UT STRs averaged $210/night at 46.9% occupancy in April 2026, with licensing required and a 12.27% lodging tax.
Quick Answer: Kanab, Utah is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 56%. average monthly revenue is $3,975. average daily rate is $276. the top operator is Evolve with 341 listings. market score is 52/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Utah Area regional market, which includes Kanab. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Kanab.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Kanab is a gateway tourism town in Kane County, southern Utah, with a population of roughly 5,240, serving as the primary service hub for visitors to Zion National Park (east entrance approximately 30 minutes away), Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The town is also home to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the United States, drawing roughly 30,000 guests annually.
As of April 2026, the short-term rental market recorded an average daily rate of $210, occupancy of 46.9%, and RevPAR of $98. Average monthly revenue across all listing types reached $2,778. The listing mix is dominated by entire-place rentals (7,561 listings) out of approximately 8,001 tracked, with 431 private rooms and 9 shared rooms.
On the bedroom side, 1-bedroom properties are the most common at 2,443 listings, followed by 3-bedroom (1,842), 2-bedroom (1,568), 5-bedroom (1,106), and 4-bedroom (1,017). Channel distribution shows dual-platform listings dominating: 4,444 appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, with 3,002 Airbnb-only and 555 VRBO-only.
Year-over-year as of April 2026, occupancy is down 1.1 percentage points while ADR has risen 5.1%. Revenue declined 4.0% year-over-year, reflecting continued post-pandemic normalization. The market scores a 52.1 overall rating, with an investability score of 70.7.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38% | $266 | $2,983 |
| Feb | 47% | $282 | $3,213 |
| Mar | 50% | $238 | $3,277 |
| Apr | 46% | $186 | $2,465 |
| May | 55% | $189 | $2,669 |
| Jun | 59% | $238 | $3,492 |
| Jul | 60% | $264 | $4,202 |
| Aug | 50% | $240 | $3,330 |
| Sep | 49% | $196 | $2,638 |
| Oct | 49% | $183 | $2,582 |
| Nov | 41% | $178 | $1,944 |
| Dec | 46% | $264 | $2,964 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Kanab
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 341 | 18,745 | ★ 4.75 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 163 | 4,223 | ★ 4.47 |
| 3 | Family Time Vacation Rentals | 124 | 3,957 | ★ 4.47 |
| 4 | Stay Midway | 97 | 845 | ★ 4.17 |
| 5 | Midway Vacation Properties | 87 | 2,019 | ★ 4.53 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Kanab?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,443 |
| 2 bed | 1,568 |
| 3 bed | 1,842 |
| 4 bed | 1,017 |
| 5 bed | 1,106 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $284 |
| Luxury | $537 |
| Professionally Managed | $371 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,563 |
| Entire Place | $4,089 |
| House | $4,760 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 37.5% |
| vrbo | 6.9% |
| both | 55.5% |
Investment Analysis
Kanab offers an accessible entry price relative to other Utah national park gateway markets. The typical home value is approximately $436,000, with active properties listing at a median of $605,500 across 78 for-sale units. At average monthly revenue of $2,778, projected annual gross revenue is approximately $33,340, implying a gross yield of roughly 7.6% against the typical home value. This compares favorably against the Wasatch Back market (Kamas, Park City adjacency) where typical home values exceed $1.2 million with similar rental revenue.
Tier differentiation is meaningful. The all-listings ADR was $210 in April 2026, while entire-home properties averaged $217 and the professionally managed tier averaged $277. The luxury tier averaged $422 in ADR, double the market-wide average, reflecting the premium commanded by larger, well-appointed properties catering to multi-day national park visitors.
The longer-run trend shows consistent revenue growth. Annual average revenue per listing was approximately $2,103 in 2017, climbed to $3,408 in 2021, and has settled at $3,361 in 2025, representing 60% cumulative growth over eight years. ADR rose from $194 in 2017 to $258 in 2025. The market’s national park proximity and multi-destination draw (five major parks within day-trip range) provide structural demand that independent operators and professionally managed portfolios have both benefited from.
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 →Home Value Trends (Kanab)
Booking Insights
Kanab guests book an average of 51 days in advance as of April 2026, reflecting the planning required for national park itineraries, permit applications (such as the Wave lottery), and multi-destination road trips. The average length of stay is 3.1 nights, appropriate for visitors spending 2 to 4 nights at a park gateway before moving to the next destination on a southern Utah circuit.
The 51-day lead time gives operators approximately seven weeks of forward visibility. Pricing adjustments made more than six weeks ahead of target dates have time to influence bookings before the window closes. For peak summer weekends and holiday periods in December, setting rates and minimum stays 8 to 10 weeks out captures the planning window for the most price-inelastic guests.
The 3.1-night average stay means that a well-managed calendar can accommodate 8 to 10 separate guest stays per month if turnover and cleaning logistics are optimized. Minimum stay policies of 2 to 3 nights for shoulder periods and 3 nights for peak summer maximize revenue density without creating calendar gaps.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are legal in Kanab City but require a Short-Term Rental Business License renewed annually. Applicants must submit a site plan, satisfy parking requirements, and post city-provided rental rules inside the unit. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and no published cap on annual rental nights.
Zoning matters in Kanab. STRs are generally permitted in commercial zones. In single-family and other residential zones, a property is limited to a maximum of two STR units. Investors should verify the applicable zone for any specific property before purchasing.
Lodging in Kanab is taxed at approximately 12.27% combined. This rate includes Utah state sales tax (4.85%), the state transient room tax (0.32%), Kane County transient room tax (4.5%, increased from 4.25% effective October 1, 2025 under Utah HB456), Kanab’s municipal transient room tax (1%), and a resort communities tax (approximately 1.6%). Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these taxes automatically; hosts remain responsible for ensuring full compliance with all applicable rates. Enforcement is moderate: violations can result in warnings, fines, and license suspension or revocation, and Utah law allows tax-related penalties of up to $200 per day plus interest.
Note that Kanab City and unincorporated Kane County are regulated separately. County properties need a Kane County business license (approximately $150 per year as of 2023), and a conditional use permit may be required for a second STR unit in some county residential zones. Investors should confirm which jurisdiction governs a specific property.
Market Comparison
Kanab’s April 2026 occupancy of 46.9% is below the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, consistent with a market where April is a shoulder month before the summer national park surge. The ADR of $210 is close to the national median of roughly $220, appropriate for a small southern Utah gateway town with strong peak demand but limited off-season activity.
The operator landscape includes Evolve as the leading manager with 341 listings and a 4.75-star average across 18,745 reviews. Vacasa is second with 163 listings and a 4.47 average rating. Family Time Vacation Rentals holds 124 listings at a 4.47 average. Stay Midway operates 97 listings with a 4.17 average and Midway Vacation Properties holds 87 listings at a 4.53 average.
Relative to nearby gateway markets, Kanab’s typical home value of $436,000 is substantially more accessible than Springdale (Zion’s west entrance), making it a more attainable entry point for investors seeking southern Utah national park exposure. The 12.27% combined lodging tax is among the higher rates in Utah and should be factored into net revenue projections. The total market score of 52.1 and investability score of 70.7 reflect moderate return potential given the entry cost and regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanab, Utah
Do I need a license to run an Airbnb in Kanab, Utah?
What is the average daily rate for STRs in Kanab, UT?
What is the occupancy rate for Kanab short-term rentals?
How much revenue can an STR generate in Kanab, Utah?
What is the lodging tax rate in Kanab?
What is the best season for Airbnb in Kanab?
Who are the largest property managers in Kanab's STR market?
Analyze Kanab Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Kanab.
Free Kanab STR Calculator →
