Fresno, California Short-Term Rental Market
Fresno STRs averaged $141/night at 59.1% occupancy in April 2026, with 9,779 active listings anchored by national park gateway demand.
Quick Answer: Fresno, 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 Fresno. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Fresno.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Fresno, California is a Central Valley city of 545,970 residents and the primary gateway to Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks, all within approximately a 90-minute drive. The short-term rental market counts approximately 9,779 active listings as of the latest snapshot. Occupancy averaged 59.1% in April 2026 with an average daily rate of $141. RevPAR was $83. Year-over-year, occupancy slipped 0.5 percentage points, ADR declined 0.7%, and revenue contracted 2.7%, reflecting some softening from the post-pandemic peak.
Entire-place listings dominate the mix at 7,105 units (73% of inventory), followed by private rooms at 2,663 (27%) and shared rooms at 11. By bedroom count: 1-bedroom units lead at 4,549, then 3-bedroom at 1,999, 2-bedroom at 1,551, 4-bedroom at 1,210, and 5-bedroom at 462. Airbnb accounts for 6,917 listings exclusively, with 2,575 listed on both Airbnb and VRBO and 287 on VRBO only.
The overall market score is 58.0 out of 100. Seasonality scores near-perfect at 98.8, and investability is 58.1 (bolstered by no owner-occupancy requirement). Rental demand (66.4) and revenue growth (48.7) are more modest, consistent with the recent downward trend in key metrics.
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 Fresno
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 Fresno?
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
Fresno presents a more accessible entry point than coastal California markets, with a typical home value of $391,442 and median sale price of $381,498 as of April 2026. With an average monthly revenue of $2,268, the implied gross yield is approximately 7.0% (annualized revenue of $27,200 divided by the $391,442 typical home value), before operating expenses, platform fees, and taxes.
Entire-place listings generate meaningfully higher revenue, averaging $2,713 per month, and houses average $2,372. Apartment-style listings trail at $1,637 per month. The professionally managed tier commands $188 per night in ADR versus $141 for all listings, a 33% premium, suggesting room to grow for well-operated properties. Luxury-tier listings average $258 per night, 83% above the market-wide ADR.
The market requires no owner-occupancy or primary-residence restriction, making Fresno accessible to investor-owned properties. The permit cost is low at $50 upfront with a $25 annual renewal. The downward trend in revenue over the past year warrants attention: revenue growth scores 48.7 out of 100, and all three key metrics declined year-over-year in the latest month. The national park gateway demand provides a structural floor, but the market is not currently in a growth phase.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Fresno guests book approximately 28 days in advance (28.1-day average lead time) and stay an average of 5.0 nights per booking. The 4-week lead time is typical of leisure and national-park-gateway markets, where guests plan weekend and week-long trips a month ahead.
The 5-night average stay reflects a mix of national park trip itineraries (3 to 7 days) and regional leisure visits. Hosts optimizing for park-season demand should apply peak pricing at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance for June and July, when demand is highest. Minimum stays of 3 to 5 nights can reduce turnover during summer peak without materially reducing booking volume given the trip-planning window. During the slower winter months (January through February), shorter minimum stays and modest rate reductions improve occupancy.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are legal in Fresno under City of Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 9-15, but a Short Term Rental (STR) Permit is required before operating or advertising. The permit holder must be the property owner; there is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement beyond that ownership condition, making investor-owned properties eligible.
The process starts with a zone clearance from the Fresno Planning Department to confirm the property’s zone allows STRs. The permit costs $50 upfront ($25 application plus $25 permit fee) and renews annually for $25. Renewal is not automatic and requires updated information. Listings must display a valid city permit number.
Hosts must collect and remit a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax monthly. The city does not impose a cap on the number of nights per year a property can be rented. Enforcement is rated moderate; fines start at $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for subsequent violations, with each day potentially counted as a separate violation. Repeat violations can result in permit revocation.
Market Comparison
Fresno’s 59.1% occupancy for April 2026 is slightly above the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%. Its $141 average daily rate is below the U.S. median ADR of approximately $220, reflecting Fresno’s position as an affordable Central Valley market rather than a premium destination. Revenue per available room of $83 trails higher-demand markets.
The professional management presence is notable. Evolve leads with 177 listings (4,256 reviews, 4.54 rating), followed by Stay Smart with 85 listings (926 reviews, 4.36 rating), Guest Equity, Inc. with 47 listings (4,161 reviews, 4.71 rating), Fresno Short Term Rentals with 43 listings (3,826 reviews, 4.85 rating), and LUSH Garden Hideaway with 42 listings (875 reviews, 4.95 rating). The top 5 operators manage approximately 394 listings, about 4% of total inventory, indicating a predominantly owner-operated market with a growing professional layer.
The market score of 58.0 is below the strong-market threshold, reflecting modest rental demand and declining revenue growth, tempered by a highly predictable seasonal pattern and accessible regulatory framework.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fresno, California
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