Hayward, California Short-Term Rental Market
Hayward STR data shows 69.3% occupancy and $133 ADR in April 2026, but nightly rentals are prohibited under city zoning.
Quick Answer: Hayward, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 80%. average monthly revenue is $3,157. average daily rate is $150. the top operator is Blueground with 157 listings. market score is 88/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Oakland regional market, which includes Hayward. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Hayward.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Hayward is a working-class East Bay city of roughly 158,440 residents in Alameda County, positioned between Oakland and San Jose with BART and I-880 access. The short-term rental data tracked here reflects a large base of active listings across platforms, with 8,868 total listings recorded in the most recent snapshot: 6,773 on Airbnb only, 253 on VRBO only, and 1,842 on both channels. Entire-place units make up the dominant listing type at 6,145 listings, followed by 2,647 private rooms and 76 shared rooms. By bedroom count, studios and one-bedrooms represent the largest segment at 5,461 units, with two-bedrooms at 1,674, three-bedrooms at 1,012, four-bedrooms at 491, and five-plus at 208.
The latest available data month is April 2026. Average daily rate across all listing types was $133, with occupancy at 69.3% and RevPAR at $92.48. Year-over-year, occupancy rose 1.7%, ADR was essentially flat (+0.05%), and revenue climbed 2.9%. However, investors must note that Hayward’s zoning requires residential rentals to be leased for terms longer than 30 days. Nightly and weekly stays are not a permitted residential use. The listings captured in this dataset reflect units operating across the metro area and may include listings in other nearby jurisdictions. The market score is 88.3 overall, driven by high seasonality (99.1) and revenue growth (85.4), but investability scores only 45.6, reflecting the regulatory environment.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 63% | $111 | $1,979 |
| Feb | 69% | $114 | $2,011 |
| Mar | 70% | $117 | $2,254 |
| Apr | 68% | $118 | $2,207 |
| May | 72% | $125 | $2,394 |
| Jun | 76% | $129 | $2,617 |
| Jul | 77% | $127 | $2,679 |
| Aug | 75% | $126 | $2,612 |
| Sep | 72% | $121 | $2,350 |
| Oct | 70% | $120 | $2,354 |
| Nov | 65% | $118 | $2,089 |
| Dec | 63% | $120 | $2,108 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Hayward
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blueground | 157 | 72 | ★ 4.46 |
| 2 | Evolve | 72 | 1,409 | ★ 4.52 |
| 3 | 2B Living | 28 | 60 | ★ 4.45 |
| 4 | Jonajo Consulting | 25 | 885 | ★ 4.87 |
| 5 | Academic Housing Rentals Inc. | 24 | 57 | ★ 4.75 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Hayward?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 5,461 |
| 2 bed | 1,674 |
| 3 bed | 1,012 |
| 4 bed | 491 |
| 5 bed | 208 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $188 |
| Luxury | $267 |
| Professionally Managed | $198 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,864 |
| Entire Place | $3,915 |
| House | $3,287 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 76.4% |
| vrbo | 2.9% |
| both | 20.8% |
Investment Analysis
Hayward’s core investment story is mid-term rental, not short-term vacation rental. The city’s 30-day-minimum requirement closes the door on Airbnb-style nightly income for residential properties. For investors who nonetheless operate in the broader East Bay area or in jurisdictions adjacent to Hayward, the data provides useful benchmarks.
At the most recent data month, average monthly revenue across all listing types was $2,550, with entire-place units earning $3,088 and houses earning $2,589. Luxury-tier listings reached an ADR of $224, while professionally managed properties averaged $164. Using the typical Hayward home value of $847,838 as the entry cost, an annualized revenue of $30,600 (based on $2,550 per month) implies a gross revenue-to-price ratio of roughly 3.6%, which does not reflect operating costs, vacancy, or management fees. This calculation is illustrative only given the legal constraints on nightly rentals. Year-over-year revenue growth of 2.9% in the most recent period follows a period of compression after peak 2022 levels. Investors focused on compliant 30-plus-day mid-term rentals in the East Bay may find Hayward properties financially viable, particularly near CSU East Bay, which drives consistent demand from students and visiting faculty.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
The average booking lead time for April 2026 was 29.8 days, meaning most bookings were placed approximately one month before arrival. This is a relatively short planning horizon compared to resort and destination markets, consistent with Hayward’s business and overflow-travel demand profile. Guests book closer to arrival, which limits the window for dynamic pricing adjustments and makes revenue management more reactive.
Average length of stay was 6.99 days, just under a week. This figure is notable: at nearly 7 days, stays are on the longer end for an urban market, and suggest guests are using these properties for extended business trips, relocation visits, or interim housing rather than weekend leisure stays. For operators who are permitted to accept shorter bookings under their jurisdiction, weekly-minimum pricing likely captures the dominant demand segment. Turnover costs are lower with 7-day stays than with 2-night weekend stays, which is a meaningful operational consideration in a high-labor-cost market like the East Bay.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Hayward does not permit residential short-term rentals. The city has no dedicated STR ordinance and no host registration or permit program. Under existing zoning, all residential rentals must be for terms longer than 30 consecutive days. Nightly and weekly stays on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO are not a permitted residential use citywide, including units created under SB 9.
The city’s Transient Occupancy Tax applies to stays of 30 consecutive days or fewer, primarily affecting hotels and motels. Under Measure NN, approved by Hayward voters, the hotel TOT rose from 8.5% to 12% effective July 1, 2025, with City Council action moving toward the Measure NN cap of 14%. This TOT rate does not apply to compliant residential landlords, since their leases must exceed 30 days. Enforcement is classified as strict. There is no permit cap, no owner-occupancy pathway, and no primary-residence exception that opens a door to nightly rentals. Investors considering Hayward for STR income should redirect to 30-plus-day furnished rentals, which are fully permitted and serve ongoing demand from commuters, university-adjacent renters, and business travelers.
Market Comparison
Hayward’s April 2026 occupancy of 69.3% is above the US STR median of approximately 55%, driven by consistent commuter and business demand rather than leisure tourism. The ADR of $133 is well below the US median of roughly $220, reflecting Hayward’s position as a secondary urban market rather than a premium destination.
The top operator by listing count is Blueground with 157 listings and a 4.46 average rating across 72 reviews. Evolve holds second with 72 listings, 1,409 reviews, and a 4.52 rating, indicating a more review-seasoned portfolio relative to its size. 2B Living operates 28 listings with 60 reviews and a 4.45 rating. Jonajo Consulting manages 25 listings with 885 reviews and a strong 4.87 rating. Academic Housing Rentals Inc. rounds out the top five with 24 listings and a 4.75 rating, a name that signals CSU East Bay-adjacent demand. Professional management is present but fragmented; Blueground’s 157 listings represent roughly 1.8% of total tracked inventory. This low concentration means the market is primarily composed of individual hosts and small operators, with no single PM dominating supply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hayward, California
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What is the average daily rate for STR listings in Hayward?
What is the typical occupancy rate for STR listings in the Hayward area?
What is the Transient Occupancy Tax rate in Hayward?
What do Hayward STR listings typically earn per month?
How far in advance do guests book Hayward area STR listings?
Who are the largest STR property managers operating in Hayward?
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