Bakersfield, California Short-Term Rental Market
Bakersfield/Central Valley STRs averaged $141/night at 59.1% occupancy in April 2026 across 9,779 active listings.
Quick Answer: Bakersfield, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 63%. average monthly revenue is $2,724. average daily rate is $157. the top operator is Evolve with 177 listings. market score is 58/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the California Central Valley regional market, which includes Bakersfield. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Bakersfield.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Bakersfield and California Central Valley short-term rental market is one of the most accessible by entry cost in California, operating at a mid-tier revenue profile with strong and consistent occupancy. As of the latest snapshot, 9,779 active listings cover the market area. In April 2026, the average daily rate was $140.75 and occupancy reached 59.1%, producing average monthly revenue of $2,268 per listing. RevPAR was $83.21.
Year-over-year, the market showed mild softening: occupancy dipped 0.45 percentage points, ADR eased 0.65%, and revenue declined 2.7%. The 2025 annual average of 58.17% occupancy at $142 ADR generating $2,330/month represents a stable recent baseline.
The listing mix is 72.7% entire-place (7,105 listings), with a notable 27.2% private-room share (2,663 listings) and 11 shared rooms. This relatively high private-room share reflects the market’s strong supply of homeowners renting spare rooms alongside the typical short-term vacation rentals. By bedroom count: 1-bedroom leads with 4,549 listings, followed by 3-bedroom (1,999), 2-bedroom (1,551), 4-bedroom (1,210), and 5-bedroom (462). Channel distribution is Airbnb-dominant: 6,917 Airbnb-only, 2,575 on both platforms, and 287 VRBO-only.
Market scores: seasonality scores 98.8/100, rental demand 66.4/100, regulation 63.6/100, investability 58.1/100, and total score 58.0/100. Revenue growth scores a more modest 48.7/100, consistent with a stabilizing post-pandemic market. The Kern County travel spending figure of $1.9 billion in 2023, growing 12.3% above pre-pandemic levels, reflects the regional base of business travel (oil, agriculture, healthcare) and drive-through tourism toward Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and Death Valley.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55% | $106 | $1,695 |
| Feb | 61% | $111 | $1,725 |
| Mar | 61% | $112 | $1,932 |
| Apr | 61% | $117 | $1,948 |
| May | 64% | $124 | $2,107 |
| Jun | 66% | $129 | $2,316 |
| Jul | 67% | $125 | $2,308 |
| Aug | 63% | $122 | $2,154 |
| Sep | 61% | $118 | $1,949 |
| Oct | 61% | $116 | $1,979 |
| Nov | 58% | $115 | $1,826 |
| Dec | 57% | $116 | $1,862 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Bakersfield
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 177 | 4,256 | ★ 4.54 |
| 2 | Stay Smart | 85 | 926 | ★ 4.36 |
| 3 | Guest Equity, Inc. | 47 | 4,161 | ★ 4.71 |
| 4 | Fresno Short Term Rentals | 43 | 3,826 | ★ 4.85 |
| 5 | LUSH Garden Hideaway | 42 | 875 | ★ 4.95 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Bakersfield?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 4,549 |
| 2 bed | 1,551 |
| 3 bed | 1,999 |
| 4 bed | 1,210 |
| 5 bed | 462 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $191 |
| Luxury | $299 |
| Professionally Managed | $232 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,838 |
| Entire Place | $3,296 |
| House | $2,862 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 70.7% |
| vrbo | 2.9% |
| both | 26.3% |
Investment Analysis
Bakersfield offers the most accessible entry pricing of the California markets in this analysis. At a typical home value of $396,712 (April 2026 Zillow estimate) and average monthly STR revenue of $2,268, a Bakersfield STR generates approximately $27,219 in annualized gross revenue, implying a gross STR yield of approximately 6.9% on purchase price before expenses. This compares favorably to the LA and Santa Cruz markets on a yield basis, driven by the lower purchase price rather than higher revenue.
Tier analysis shows where premium performance lives. Entire-home listings average $170.96/night versus $140.75 for all listings, a 21.5% premium. Professionally managed properties reach $187.52/night, a 33.2% premium over the all-listings ADR. Luxury-tier listings command $258.30/night.
By property type: entire-place listings average $2,713/month and houses average $2,372/month. Apartments average $1,637/month, which is notably lower, reflecting the private-room segment pulling down the apartment-category average.
The investability score of 58.1/100 reflects the accessible home prices (median sale price $390,000, sale-to-list ratio 0.904) and the large for-sale inventory of 1,355 active listings, which indicates ample acquisition opportunity without severe bidding competition. Median days to pending of 21 days is consistent with a measured market.
The significant regulatory caveat: Bakersfield’s city STR ordinance was previously prohibited, with a proposed legalizing framework receiving City Council first-reading approval on May 27, 2026. Final adoption is pending. Investors should verify current ordinance status with the City of Bakersfield before acquisition, as permit fees, final operating rules, and effective date were not yet established at the profile update date.
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 (Bakersfield)
Booking Insights
Bakersfield/Central Valley STR guests book an average of 28.1 days in advance and stay an average of 5.00 nights per reservation. The 28-day lead window is the shortest among the five markets analyzed here, reflecting the transit-stop and last-minute business travel nature of the market. Bakersfield serves as a stopover hub for travelers en route to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Yosemite, and Death Valley, and many of those bookings happen within 2 to 3 weeks of travel.
For operators, the shorter lead window means last-minute promotions and flexible cancellation policies can materially improve fill rates. Listings need dynamic pricing tools set to respond quickly to demand signals in the final 2 to 3 weeks before a date. Unlike coastal or resort markets, waiting for 6-week-out bookings may leave significant inventory unfilled.
The 5.00-night average stay is longer than the national median and stands out relative to the market’s position as a transit corridor destination. This likely reflects extended business visits to oil field, agricultural, and healthcare operations in the region, as well as travelers who use Bakersfield as a home base for multi-day Central Valley or national park exploration. The 5-night average reduces turnover frequency (roughly once per 5 nights), which improves net operating margins by limiting cleaning costs. Minimum-stay settings of 3 to 4 nights are compatible with this guest profile.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Bakersfield’s STR regulatory status is in active transition as of the profile update date (May 28, 2026). Previously, short-term rentals were technically prohibited under city zoning, yet approximately 500 or more properties operated with minimal enforcement.
On May 27, 2026, the Bakersfield City Council gave first-reading approval to the city’s inaugural STR ordinance. Final adoption requires a second reading and vote. The ordinance takes effect 30 days after final passage.
Key requirements under the proposed ordinance: (1) Annual city STR permit required plus a Business Tax Certificate; the permit is revocable after two citations within a year. (2) Maximum occupancy of 2 guests per bedroom, with children under 12 exempt. (3) Multifamily buildings are capped at 20% of total units operating as STRs. (4) A 24/7 local emergency contact must be available and respond within one hour to complaints. (5) Outdoor pools and hot tubs are prohibited between 10pm and 7am. (6) Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors are required. (7) Guests must receive written notices covering occupancy limits, parking, trash schedules, emergency contact, and evacuation procedures. (8) A 12% City Transient Lodging Tax applies to all rental fees.
Permit application fees had not been established as of first reading. No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement was specified in public reporting.
For unincorporated Kern County properties outside Bakersfield city limits, a separate 6% TOT applies with mandatory registration but no STR-specific permit requirement.
Investors should confirm the current status of the ordinance’s final adoption with the City of Bakersfield before any acquisition or listing.
Market Comparison
At 59.1% occupancy, Bakersfield sits slightly above the US STR median of approximately 55%. Its ADR of $140.75 is 36.0% below the national median of approximately $220, which positions it as an affordable-access STR market serving budget travelers, business transients, and road-trip layovers rather than premium destination tourism.
The market’s seasonality score of 98.8/100 is exceptional, reflecting the flattest year-round demand profile in this analysis. This near-perfect consistency reduces cash-flow variance for investors and makes conservative underwriting more reliable than in high-swing seasonal markets.
Among operators, Evolve leads with 177 listings and 4,256 reviews at a 4.54 rating. Stay Smart follows with 85 listings and 926 reviews at a 4.36 rating. Guest Equity holds 47 listings with 4,161 reviews at a 4.71 rating. Together, the top three account for 309 listings, approximately 3.2% of the 9,779-listing market. The local operators Fresno Short Term Rentals (43 listings, 4.85 rating) and LUSH Garden Hideaway (42 listings, 4.95 rating) show that local high-quality operators can achieve top-tier ratings in this market.
With a typical home value of $396,712 and for-sale inventory of 1,355 active listings, Bakersfield is the most acquirer-friendly market in this batch, offering meaningful scale opportunity as the new STR ordinance creates a legal framework that may bring additional demand-side confidence to operators.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bakersfield, California
What is the average nightly rate for an Airbnb in Bakersfield, California?
What is the typical occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Bakersfield?
How much can I earn from an Airbnb in Bakersfield?
Are short-term rentals legal in Bakersfield?
What is the short-term rental tax rate in Bakersfield?
What is the best time of year for Airbnb rentals in Bakersfield?
Who are the top STR property managers in Bakersfield and the Central Valley?
Analyze Bakersfield Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Bakersfield.
Free Bakersfield STR Calculator →
