Freeland, Washington Short-Term Rental Market
Freeland, WA STRs averaged $233/night at 53.6% occupancy in April 2026 on Whidbey Island.
Quick Answer: Freeland, Washington is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 70%. average monthly revenue is $5,762. average daily rate is $317. the top operator is Vacasa with 327 listings. market score is 70/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Puget Sound/Bremerton regional market, which includes Freeland. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Freeland.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Freeland is an unincorporated community on the south end of Whidbey Island, Washington, in Island County. It serves as a primary STR market for Puget Sound getaway visitors from the greater Seattle metro. In April 2026, listings averaged $233.24 per night with an overall occupancy rate of 53.6% and a RevPAR of $125.00. Year-over-year trends in April were mixed: occupancy declined 1.92 percentage points while ADR rose 4.27%, resulting in a net revenue change of -2.19% compared to April 2025.
The market is almost entirely entire-place rentals. Of approximately 5,386 listings tracked, 5,066 are entire-place, 318 are private rooms, and 2 are shared rooms. The bedroom breakdown shows: 2,160 one-bedroom listings, 1,396 two-bedroom, 1,145 three-bedroom, 481 four-bedroom, and 193 five-or-more-bedroom listings. Channel distribution splits roughly evenly between Airbnb-only (2,535), both-platform listings (2,442), and VRBO-only (409), indicating strong dual-channel representation.
The composite StaySTRA score is 70.18. Notable sub-scores include rental demand at 83.42 and revenue growth at 81.46, reflecting strong underlying visitor interest and improving revenue trajectory. The investability score of 65.07 is the lowest sub-score, reflecting both higher property values in the Pacific Northwest market and active regulatory uncertainty described below.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $177 | $1,852 |
| Feb | 47% | $182 | $2,000 |
| Mar | 50% | $188 | $2,477 |
| Apr | 56% | $204 | $2,992 |
| May | 58% | $221 | $3,172 |
| Jun | 69% | $255 | $4,432 |
| Jul | 79% | $256 | $5,321 |
| Aug | 79% | $255 | $5,363 |
| Sep | 63% | $228 | $3,781 |
| Oct | 50% | $194 | $2,718 |
| Nov | 45% | $192 | $2,271 |
| Dec | 45% | $193 | $2,323 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Freeland
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 327 | 24,080 | ★ 4.52 |
| 2 | Evolve | 144 | 9,100 | ★ 4.83 |
| 3 | San Juan Property Management | 91 | 8,680 | ★ 4.73 |
| 4 | AvantStay | 83 | 6,296 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Brigadoon Vacation Rentals | 58 | 3,491 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Freeland?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,160 |
| 2 bed | 1,396 |
| 3 bed | 1,145 |
| 4 bed | 481 |
| 5 bed | 193 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $326 |
| Luxury | $565 |
| Professionally Managed | $381 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $4,225 |
| Entire Place | $5,964 |
| House | $6,381 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 47.1% |
| vrbo | 7.6% |
| both | 45.3% |
Investment Analysis
Freeland generates significantly higher per-listing revenue than most STR markets in this batch. At the April 2026 average of $3,259 per month, annualized revenue projects to approximately $39,109 at that pace. Houses average $3,531.71 per month, entire-place listings $3,361.72, and apartments $2,474.73. The house-to-apartment gap is $1,057 per month.
ADR premiums are substantial: professionally managed listings averaged $264.55 per night in April, 13% above the all-listing average of $233.24. Luxury-tier properties reached $412.22 per night, 77% above the market average. Entire-home tier averaged $240.24 per night.
Housing data from our Zillow feed is not currently available for this area, so a gross yield calculation cannot be performed. Pacific Northwest island properties typically carry premium valuations relative to STR income, which the investability score of 65.07 partly reflects.
A key investment risk to note: Island County planners formally recommended in April 2025 banning new STRs within Freeland’s Urban Growth Area as part of a Comprehensive Plan update, with a public hearing noticed for June 23, 2026. The plan had not been confirmed as finally adopted at the time of the area profile update. Buyers must verify current adopted code with Island County Planning before purchasing with STR intent.
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 (Freeland)
Booking Insights
In April 2026, Freeland’s average booking lead time was 44.17 days, and the average length of stay was 3.43 nights. The 44-day lead window is the longest of the five markets in this batch, consistent with guests planning ferry travel from the Puget Sound area and reserving popular island properties well in advance during a competitive summer season.
The 3.43-night average stay is shorter than might be expected for an island getaway, suggesting a meaningful share of three-night weekend trips rather than full-week stays. Operators who set three-night minimums over the summer shoulder weekends can capture this demand cleanly. The longer advance booking window, six-plus weeks, means most summer inventory is placed well before the season opens, reducing last-minute gaps but also limiting opportunistic rate increases close to arrival.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Freeland is an unincorporated community governed by Island County, which as of mid-2026 does not operate a dedicated STR permit or registration program for unincorporated areas. STRs are currently permitted. Operators must comply with Washington State requirements: obtain a state business license, collect and remit retail sales tax on stays under 30 days (Island County’s combined sales tax rate is approximately 9%, applied to lodging), and meet RCW 64.37 safety standards including smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements. STRs on septic systems may trigger Island County Environmental Health review. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and no statutory cap on rental nights.
IMPORTANT regulatory risk for investors: in April 2025, Island County long-range planners formally recommended banning new STRs within Freeland’s Urban Growth Area and other south-Whidbey mixed-use nodes (Clinton, Bayview, Greenbank, and others) through the Comprehensive Plan update, citing workforce housing concerns. A public hearing was noticed for June 23, 2026. The plan had not been confirmed as finally adopted at the time this profile was updated. Anyone considering a purchase specifically for STR use in Freeland should verify the current adopted code directly with Island County Planning and Community Development (360-679-7339) before committing.
Market Comparison
Freeland April 2026 occupancy of 53.6% sits slightly below the approximate U.S. STR median of 55%, though this reflects an off-peak month in a strongly seasonal summer market. The all-listing ADR of $233.24 exceeds the national median of roughly $220, consistent with Pacific Northwest island properties commanding a premium.
Among active operators, Vacasa leads the Freeland market with 327 listings and 24,080 reviews at a 4.515 rating, making it the dominant national operator by a significant margin. Evolve manages 144 listings with 9,100 reviews at a 4.834 rating. San Juan Property Management holds 91 listings with 8,680 reviews at 4.728. AvantStay operates 83 listings at 4.745, and Brigadoon Vacation Rentals manages 58 listings with 3,491 reviews at 4.811. The concentration of large national operators (Vacasa and Evolve together account for 471 listings) alongside strong-rated regional operators indicates a professionalized management market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freeland, Washington
What is the average daily rate for STRs in Freeland, WA?
What occupancy rate should I expect for a Freeland, WA short-term rental?
Are there restrictions on short-term rentals in Freeland, WA?
What taxes apply to Freeland, WA short-term rental stays?
When is peak season for Whidbey Island vacation rentals?
How does Freeland STR revenue trend year over year?
Who are the leading property managers on Whidbey Island?
Analyze Freeland Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Freeland.
Free Freeland STR Calculator →
