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 in the California Central Valley market area is 63%. average monthly revenue in the California Central Valley market area is $2,724. average daily rate in the California Central Valley market area is $157. the top operator in the California Central Valley market area 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 StaySTRA 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 |
|---|---|
| Jan | 55% |
| Feb | 61% |
| Mar | 61% |
| Apr | 61% |
| May | 64% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 67% |
| Aug | 63% |
| Sep | 61% |
| Oct | 61% |
| Nov | 58% |
| Dec | 57% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Fresno are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in California Central Valley market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the California Central Valley market as a whole, which includes Fresno, so these counts are not Fresno-only figures.
| # | 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 nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Fresno are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 70.7% |
| vrbo | 2.9% |
| both | 26.3% |
Home Value Trends (Fresno)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Fresno are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Fresno — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
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
What is the average daily rate for short-term rentals in Fresno, CA?
What is the average occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Fresno?
How much can a short-term rental earn monthly in Fresno?
Are short-term rentals legal in Fresno, CA?
What is the gross yield for a short-term rental in Fresno?
How far in advance do guests book Fresno short-term rentals?
Who are the top property managers for short-term rentals in Fresno?
Analyze Fresno Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Fresno.
Free Fresno STR Calculator →
