Cub Run, Kentucky Short-Term Rental Market
Cub Run STRs averaged $183/night at 50.4% occupancy in April 2026, led by Nolin Lake and Mammoth Cave demand.
Quick Answer: Cub Run, Kentucky is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 57%. average monthly revenue is $3,402. average daily rate is $219. the top operator is Evolve with 342 listings. market score is 89/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Kentucky Area regional market, which includes Cub Run. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Cub Run.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Cub Run, Kentucky is a small unincorporated community in Hart County with a population of approximately 1,574 residents, positioned at the intersection of two major outdoor tourism draws: Mammoth Cave National Park and Nolin River Lake. The short-term rental market here is notably active for its size, with the entire-place listing type dominating at 7,991 listings and private rooms accounting for 448 additional units. Channel distribution shows Airbnb as the primary platform with 3,945 Airbnb-only listings and 812 VRBO-only listings; 3,685 listings appear on both platforms.
In April 2026, the average daily rate across all listing types reached $182.90 and occupancy came in at 50.4%, producing a RevPAR of $92.15. Year-over-year, occupancy held nearly flat (+0.23 percentage points), ADR grew 2.77%, and average monthly revenue per listing rose 3.53%. The bedroom mix skews toward mid-size properties: 1-bedroom units account for 2,292 listings, 2-bedrooms lead at 2,489, and 3-bedrooms are close behind at 2,233. Larger properties (4BR and 5BR+) add 859 and 563 listings respectively, reflecting the area’s appeal to group visitors seeking full-home rentals near the lake and cave attractions.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34% | $123 | $1,327 |
| Feb | 44% | $124 | $1,369 |
| Mar | 53% | $144 | $1,925 |
| Apr | 51% | $154 | $2,092 |
| May | 51% | $166 | $2,229 |
| Jun | 60% | $191 | $3,023 |
| Jul | 63% | $190 | $3,314 |
| Aug | 52% | $179 | $2,618 |
| Sep | 47% | $166 | $2,150 |
| Oct | 51% | $161 | $2,333 |
| Nov | 45% | $150 | $1,902 |
| Dec | 41% | $142 | $1,730 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Cub Run
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 342 | 14,368 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Green Turtle Bay Resort | 85 | 273 | ★ 4.72 |
| 3 | Lake Cumberland Resort III | 51 | 2,060 | ★ 4.71 |
| 4 | Neat Suites | 40 | 1,156 | ★ 4.80 |
| 5 | Lyric | 39 | 2,991 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Cub Run?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,292 |
| 2 bed | 2,489 |
| 3 bed | 2,233 |
| 4 bed | 859 |
| 5 bed | 563 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $223 |
| Luxury | $371 |
| Professionally Managed | $274 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,372 |
| Entire Place | $3,493 |
| House | $3,797 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 46.7% |
| vrbo | 9.6% |
| both | 43.7% |
Investment Analysis
Cub Run’s low entry cost relative to revenue output is the defining characteristic of this market. The typical home value stood at $170,915 as of April 2026, while the average STR generated $2,474 per month in April, translating to an implied annualized gross revenue of approximately $29,689. That puts a rough gross yield near 17.4% on the typical home value, among the higher ranges possible due to the region’s affordable real estate base and tourism-driven demand.
Tier comparisons underscore the premium available to larger or professionally managed properties. Entire-home listings averaged $2,534 per month in April while house-specific listings averaged $2,729. The luxury tier commanded an ADR of $315.48 versus $182.90 across all listings, and professionally managed units posted an ADR of $205.13. The market’s investability score of 97.74 out of 100 signals strong fundamentals. Revenue growth has trended positively, with the revenue growth sub-score at 75.99 and year-over-year monthly revenue up 3.53% in the most recent period. A modest listing inventory (20 units for sale) limits immediate acquisition options, and the median list price of $291,333 reflects that lakefront and cave-adjacent properties carry a premium over the county’s typical home value.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
April 2026 data shows a booking lead time of 47.4 days for Cub Run listings, meaning guests are reserving roughly six to seven weeks in advance on average. This is a meaningful planning window that supports dynamic pricing strategies: operators can open availability at initial pricing with room to adjust as the booking date approaches. The average length of stay was 3.68 nights, indicating a predominantly multi-night stay market consistent with drive-to outdoor recreation destinations where guests come for a long weekend or extended visit.
The combination of a 47-day lead time and a 3.7-night average stay points toward a relatively predictable booking pattern. Operators who monitor occupancy at the 60-day and 30-day marks can make informed last-minute price adjustments. A near-four-night average stay also reduces turnover frequency and cleaning costs relative to markets dominated by one- or two-night stays.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Cub Run is unincorporated rural Hart County with no identifiable county-level STR ordinance as of the profile update date (June 8, 2026). Kentucky delegates STR regulation to local governments, and Hart County does not appear to require an STR permit, impose occupancy caps, or mandate owner-occupancy or primary-residence rules. No permit type, permit cost, or maximum nights per year were identified for this area. STRs are openly operated and promoted through Hart County Tourism.
On the tax side, Kentucky’s 1% statewide transient room tax applies to lodging. As of January 1, 2023, platforms including Airbnb and VRBO are required to collect and remit applicable Kentucky state and local lodging taxes on behalf of hosts under House Bill 8. Hart County may levy an additional local transient room tax, though the exact local rate was not confirmed in the available data. The enforcement severity is rated minimal. Investors should confirm current permit and tax obligations directly with the Hart County Fiscal Court, Planning Commission, and the Kentucky Department of Revenue before operating.
Market Comparison
Against national STR benchmarks (U.S. median occupancy approximately 55%, median ADR approximately $220), Cub Run’s 50.4% occupancy runs slightly below the national median while its $182.90 ADR trails the U.S. median rate, reflecting the rural Kentucky location and lower regional price points. However, Cub Run’s low home values relative to revenue output produce yield dynamics that compare favorably to higher-cost coastal or mountain markets where entry prices are multiples higher.
On the operator side, Evolve dominates the market with 342 listings and 14,368 reviews at a 4.76 average rating. Green Turtle Bay Resort holds 85 listings with a 4.72 rating, and Lake Cumberland Resort III manages 51 listings at 4.71. Neat Suites (40 listings, 4.80 rating) and Lyric (39 listings, 4.81 rating) round out the top five. Evolve’s scale represents a significant portion of professionally managed inventory and sets the quality benchmark guests use when evaluating independent listings. The regulation sub-score of 69.52 and rental demand sub-score of 72.87 reflect a market with moderate demand concentration and light regulatory burden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cub Run, Kentucky
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