Kennewick, Washington Short-Term Rental Market
Kennewick STRs averaged $221/night at 45.7% occupancy in April 2026, with peak summer occupancy reaching 67.5%.
Quick Answer: Kennewick, Washington is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 59%. average monthly revenue is $4,611. average daily rate is $299. the top operator is Vacasa with 300 listings. market score is 54/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Washington State Area regional market, which includes Kennewick. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Kennewick.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Kennewick, Washington sits at the heart of the Tri-Cities metro (Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco), a Columbia River hub that draws wine tourists, water sports enthusiasts, and Hanford-related business travelers. The short-term rental market here carries roughly 8,933 active listings across all platforms, with entire-place rentals dominating at 8,375 units (93.7% of supply). Private rooms account for another 554 listings.
In April 2026, the market posted a $221 average daily rate and 45.7% occupancy, yielding a RevPAR of $101. Year-over-year, occupancy edged down 1.7 percentage points and revenue dipped 2.6%, while ADR gained 2.5%, suggesting operators are holding rates as demand softens slightly.
By bedroom count, the supply skews toward smaller units: 1-bedroom listings lead at 3,020 (33.8% of supply), followed closely by 2-bedroom (2,186) and 3-bedroom (2,165) units. Larger properties (4BR+) make up the remaining 17.4%. Airbnb is the dominant booking channel with 4,239 active listings, while VRBO carries 580. Notably, 4,114 listings appear on both platforms, indicating significant cross-listing activity. The market’s overall score of 53.5 out of 100 reflects moderate conditions, with investability scoring notably higher at 76.6 and rental demand at 68.2.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38% | $228 | $2,478 |
| Feb | 45% | $217 | $2,372 |
| Mar | 45% | $194 | $2,340 |
| Apr | 49% | $199 | $2,518 |
| May | 52% | $223 | $2,856 |
| Jun | 60% | $256 | $3,867 |
| Jul | 67% | $261 | $4,745 |
| Aug | 67% | $260 | $4,709 |
| Sep | 52% | $234 | $3,314 |
| Oct | 45% | $209 | $2,675 |
| Nov | 42% | $211 | $2,335 |
| Dec | 45% | $249 | $3,014 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Kennewick
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 300 | 12,673 | ★ 4.50 |
| 2 | Evolve | 289 | 14,471 | ★ 4.75 |
| 3 | Suncadia Resort | 147 | 348 | ★ 4.26 |
| 4 | Bloomer Estates Vacation Rentals | 97 | 6,733 | ★ 4.83 |
| 5 | All Seasons Vacation Rentals | 81 | 8,823 | ★ 4.91 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Kennewick?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 3,020 |
| 2 bed | 2,186 |
| 3 bed | 2,165 |
| 4 bed | 971 |
| 5 bed | 580 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $309 |
| Luxury | $544 |
| Professionally Managed | $437 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $3,188 |
| Entire Place | $4,776 |
| House | $5,066 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 47.5% |
| vrbo | 6.5% |
| both | 46.1% |
Investment Analysis
At a typical home value of $433,399 and April 2026 revenue of $2,629 per month, a fully operational Kennewick STR implies an annualized gross revenue of approximately $31,548, representing a gross yield of roughly 7.3%. That figure uses the all-listings April ADR and occupancy, which sit below peak-season performance.
Tier differences are meaningful for investors choosing a property strategy. The all-listings ADR of $221 compares to $230 for entire-home listings and $405 for the luxury tier. Professionally managed listings average $315 per night, suggesting that management quality and positioning can add 40-plus percent to nightly rates versus the market average.
On the YoY trend, 2025 annual average revenue of $3,467 per month was essentially flat versus 2024 ($3,472), and both years trail the 2021 peak of $3,905. The market normalized sharply after 2021 and has been range-bound since 2022. Revenue growth scores 48.6 on a 100-point scale, reflecting that stagnation. The housing market adds context: median sale price was $421,000 in April 2026, and homes are sitting 22 days to pending with a sale-to-list ratio of 0.931, indicating sellers are accepting modest discounts. Entry costs are accessible relative to many coastal Washington markets.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Kennewick guests book approximately 41.7 days in advance on average, indicating a near-term planning horizon. This roughly six-week window is typical for regional drive-market destinations where travelers are deciding on weekend or short-week trips rather than planning months out.
Average length of stay is 3.3 nights, positioning the market in a mid-range between weekend-heavy (2 nights) and week-long vacation destinations. A 3.3-night average means roughly 9 to 10 bookings per month at full occupancy, creating meaningful turnover labor costs that operators should factor into net return calculations.
The combination of short lead time and medium stay length favors dynamic pricing strategies that adjust rates within the 30-to-45-day booking window. Last-minute discounting in the off-season and early-open pricing for summer dates both align well with this guest behavior pattern. Operators focused on wine-country visitors may see longer stays, as multi-winery touring often extends into 4-to-5-night itineraries.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Kennewick is among Washington’s more permissive STR markets as of mid-2026. The city has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance, no cap on rental nights, and no city-wide owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement for non-ADU properties.
Operators must obtain a Washington State business license through the state Business Licensing Service and add a City of Kennewick business license with a home-occupation endorsement. Home-occupation rules under Kennewick Municipal Code 18.42.090 limit signage, on-site customer visits, and the share of the home used for business purposes.
One key zoning restriction applies to accessory dwelling units: ADUs may only be operated as STRs if the primary residence on the lot is owner-occupied. Bed-and-breakfast operations of five or fewer rooms are permitted in residential zones; transient accommodations are allowed in commercial zones.
The city’s occupancy tax rate is 2%. Airbnb and VRBO collect Washington state and local sales tax automatically; the combined lodging tax on a Kennewick stay typically runs 10 to 14%, combining state and local sales tax of roughly 8.8% with the 2% hotel/motel tax. Listings within the Tourism Promotion Area may also carry a per-room-night assessment. Enforcement is complaint-driven and rated minimal. No significant regulatory changes were identified through mid-2026, but operators should monitor city council activity given the absence of a formal ordinance.
Market Comparison
Against national STR benchmarks (approximate U.S. median occupancy around 55% and median ADR around $220), Kennewick’s April 2026 occupancy of 45.7% runs below the national median, while its ADR of $221 is roughly at the national midpoint. The market’s RevPAR of $101 reflects that occupancy gap.
The operator landscape is moderately consolidated. Vacasa leads with 300 listings (approximately 3.4% of total market supply) and 12,673 reviews at a 4.50 average rating. Evolve is close behind with 289 listings and 14,471 reviews at 4.75. Suncadia Resort holds 147 listings, a reflection of its resort-area concentration. Bloomer Estates Vacation Rentals (97 listings, 4.83 rating) and All Seasons Vacation Rentals (81 listings, 4.91 rating) are smaller but highly rated local operators. Together, the top five managers control roughly 914 listings, or about 10.2% of supply, suggesting a relatively fragmented market where independent operators retain a significant share.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kennewick, Washington
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