Nevada City, California Short-Term Rental Market
Nevada City area STRs averaged $233/night at 52.3% occupancy in April 2026 across 9,300+ active listings.
Quick Answer: Nevada City, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 52%. average monthly revenue is $3,229. average daily rate is $233. the top operator is Vacasa with 373 listings. market score is 72/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Nevada City, California market encompasses the Gold Rush-era foothills community and surrounding Nevada County, drawing visitors to historic downtown, the Sierra Nevada outdoor recreation corridor, and proximity to Tahoe National Forest. As of April 2026, the market recorded an average daily rate of $233 and occupancy of 52.3%, producing average monthly revenue of $3,229 per listing. RevPAR stood at $121.70.
Year-over-year changes were modest on occupancy (up 0.3%) while ADR gained 2.9% and revenue grew 5.2%, indicating that operators are capturing more revenue per booking rather than through volume growth.
Active inventory tracked across the region totals approximately 9,320 listings. Entire-place properties represent 8,490 of those, or 91% of the market. Private-room listings add 828 more. On platform distribution, 4,871 listings appear on Airbnb, 630 on VRBO, and 3,819 on both channels simultaneously.
The bedroom mix skews toward smaller properties: 1-bedroom listings lead at 3,774, followed by 2-bedroom (2,224), 3-bedroom (2,095), 4-bedroom (853), and 5-bedroom-plus (360). The market’s total score of 72.33 reflects solid rental demand (77.11) and regulation scores (71.87), with investability (66.34) and revenue growth (67.33) indicating a more stable, moderate-return market rather than a high-growth opportunity.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42% | $179 | $2,210 |
| Feb | 49% | $183 | $2,210 |
| Mar | 52% | $187 | $2,624 |
| Apr | 55% | $194 | $2,810 |
| May | 58% | $201 | $2,902 |
| Jun | 66% | $220 | $3,750 |
| Jul | 70% | $221 | $4,164 |
| Aug | 65% | $216 | $3,801 |
| Sep | 56% | $204 | $3,068 |
| Oct | 53% | $194 | $2,815 |
| Nov | 51% | $194 | $2,511 |
| Dec | 49% | $193 | $2,582 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Nevada City
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 373 | 38,306 | ★ 4.67 |
| 2 | Evolve | 221 | 9,242 | ★ 4.68 |
| 3 | Casago | 123 | 6,490 | ★ 4.74 |
| 4 | Humboldt Retreats | 71 | 4,258 | ★ 4.89 |
| 5 | Grand Welcome | 56 | 4,140 | ★ 4.69 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Nevada City?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 3,774 |
| 2 bed | 2,224 |
| 3 bed | 2,095 |
| 4 bed | 853 |
| 5 bed | 360 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $244 |
| Luxury | $427 |
| Professionally Managed | $308 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,054 |
| Entire Place | $3,384 |
| House | $3,498 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.3% |
| vrbo | 6.8% |
| both | 41% |
Investment Analysis
Nevada City offers a mid-tier STR investment profile with steady rather than rapid revenue growth. The typical home value is $553,297, with a median list price of $667,450 and 87 active for-sale listings as of April 2026. Median days to pending is just 17 days, indicating a competitive buyer market despite elevated prices.
At April 2026 average monthly revenue of $3,229, an investor at the typical home value would see annualized gross revenue of approximately $38,745, representing a gross yield of roughly 7.0% before expenses. Professionally managed listings command an ADR of $308 versus the all-listings average of $233, a 32% premium reflecting the operational advantage of dedicated management in a market with moderate hosting complexity. Luxury-tier listings averaged $427 per night, 83% above the market average.
House listings outperform apartments significantly: $3,498 per month for houses versus $2,054 for apartments, with entire-place listings averaging $3,384. The 2025 annual average revenue was $3,352 per month, and 2024 averaged $3,174, showing consistent year-over-year growth.
Investors should note that Nevada City’s municipal STR ordinance permits only hosted short-term rentals within city limits, which restricts the investment profile for whole-property unhosted rentals in the city itself. Properties in surrounding unincorporated Nevada County operate under different rules. The investability score of 66.34 reflects this regulatory constraint alongside the higher acquisition cost relative to revenue.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Nevada City area guests book an average of 44.6 days in advance, a planning window of roughly six weeks. This lead time reflects the mix of pre-planned Sierra Nevada recreation trips and shorter-notice foothills getaways. Operators benefit from holding rates firm for bookings made six or more weeks out, applying dynamic pricing only in the final two to three weeks before arrival.
Average length of stay is 3.6 nights, slightly shorter than typical cabin markets, consistent with the mix of weekend getaways and mid-week cultural visits to the historic downtown. This implies eight to nine turnovers per month at full occupancy, higher than beach markets with longer stays. For operators focused on minimizing operational overhead, enforcing 3-night minimums during peak summer months reduces single-night friction without materially impacting occupancy. The 44.6-day lead time means last-minute inventory in January and February is unlikely to fill quickly; early pricing adjustments in November and December improve annual revenue capture.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Nevada City permits only hosted short-term rentals within city limits, under municipal code Section 17.72.080 (originally enacted by Ordinance 2015-12 in 2016 and affirmed by voter defeat of Measure Y the same year). An operator is considered hosted if the owner or a manager resides at the property or elsewhere in Nevada County and remains available to respond to issues. Unhosted whole-property rentals in residential zones are prohibited.
Operators must obtain an annual hosted STR permit through a narrow application window: as of April 24, 2025, new permit applications are accepted only between January 2 and January 31 each year, and all permits expire January 31. Operators must also hold a city business license. As of early 2026, approximately 62 permitted hosted STRs exist within Nevada City proper.
Guests pay a 10% transient occupancy tax on each booking, remitted quarterly within 30 days of each quarter’s end. Airbnb remits TOT automatically for city listings; VRBO operators must remit manually. Up to two units per property may be rented simultaneously, with one vehicle space per rented unit required.
A replacement STR ordinance is scheduled for the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. If passed, it would cap whole-house vacation rentals at approximately 4.5% of housing inventory while leaving hosted (owner-present) rentals uncapped. Because the 2016 ordinance passed by voter initiative, major changes require another voter vote.
Properties in surrounding unincorporated Nevada County operate under different county-level rules. Investors considering the broader market should verify which jurisdiction applies to a specific parcel before purchase.
Market Comparison
Nevada City area occupancy of 52.3% in April 2026 is near the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%. The 2025 annual average of 52.3% also sits slightly below the national benchmark, reflecting the market’s foothill and small-town character rather than a high-demand destination. ADR of $233 is above the national STR median of approximately $220, a modest premium attributable to the Sierra Nevada location and California pricing.
The 7.0% gross yield is in line with mid-tier mountain and foothill markets nationally, constrained by California’s elevated home values relative to rental revenue potential.
The operator landscape is led by large national managers. Vacasa holds the top position with 373 listings and 38,306 reviews at a 4.67 average rating. Evolve is second with 221 listings and 9,242 reviews at a 4.68 rating. Casago operates 123 listings with 6,490 reviews at a 4.74 rating. These three operators together account for 717 listings, or approximately 7.7% of tracked active inventory across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada City, California
What is the average daily rate for short-term rentals in the Nevada City area?
What occupancy rates can investors expect in the Nevada City area?
Are unhosted whole-property short-term rentals allowed in Nevada City?
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Nevada City?
What are the peak and slow seasons for Nevada City area STRs?
Who are the largest property managers in the Nevada City area?
What is the average monthly revenue for a short-term rental in the Nevada City area?
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