San Jose, California Short-Term Rental Market
San Jose STRs require a primary residence; the area averaged $181 ADR, 77.2% occupancy, $3,740 monthly revenue in August 2026.
Quick Answer: San Jose, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the San Jose/Palo Alto market area is 74%. average monthly revenue in the San Jose/Palo Alto market area is $3,359. average daily rate in the San Jose/Palo Alto market area is $169. the top operator in the San Jose/Palo Alto market area is Blueground with 446 listings. market score is 91/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the San Jose/Palo Alto regional market, which includes San Jose. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to San Jose.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
San Jose allows short-term rentals only as a host’s primary residence, so read the performance data below with that limit in mind. StaySTRA tracks Airbnb and Vrbo performance for San Jose and neighboring Sunnyvale as one shared series. The figures therefore describe the San Jose and Sunnyvale area STR market, not San Jose alone.
In August 2026, the San Jose and Sunnyvale area STR market averaged 77.2% occupancy and a $181 average daily rate (ADR). Average monthly revenue was $3,740 per listing. Compared with August 2025, occupancy is up 3.6%, ADR is up 7.5%, and revenue is up 13.6%.
The longer trend is steady. Annual average occupancy held between 70.0% and 75.4% in every year from 2018 to 2026 except 2020, when it fell to 63.5%. ADR rose from $121 in 2019 to $156 in 2025, and average monthly revenue rose from $2,156 to $3,151 over the same period. The first eight months of 2026 average a $171 ADR and $3,458 in monthly revenue, so 2026 is running ahead of 2025.
Listing-type, bedroom, channel, and top property manager data is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for San Jose, so this profile omits it.
San Jose itself is the largest city in Silicon Valley, with a population of 989,814. It drew about 21.2 million visitors in 2024, who generated about $2.8 billion in direct spending. Demand skews toward business, group, and convention travel, including events at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and tech-company campus visits, alongside leisure trips to museums and other attractions.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 65% |
| Feb | 70% |
| Mar | 70% |
| Apr | 68% |
| May | 75% |
| Jun | 81% |
| Jul | 81% |
| Aug | 74% |
| Sep | 70% |
| Oct | 70% |
| Nov | 66% |
| Dec | 62% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for San Jose are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in San Jose/Palo Alto market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the San Jose/Palo Alto market as a whole, which includes San Jose, so these counts are not San Jose-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blueground | 446 | 196 | ★ 4.30 |
| 2 | Hosteeva | 117 | 191 | ★ 4.14 |
| 3 | Cloud Living Furnished Rental Spaces | 91 | 2,358 | ★ 4.83 |
| 4 | Global Luxury Suites | 83 | 797 | ★ 4.15 |
| 5 | Host / Serena | 49 | 573 | ★ 4.85 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in San Jose?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for San Jose 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 | 75.8% |
| vrbo | 3.4% |
| both | 20.8% |
Home Value Trends (San Jose)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for San Jose 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 San Jose — 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 San Jose, but only as ‘Incidental Transient Occupancy’ under Municipal Code Title 20, Chapter 20.80, Part 2.5. The rental must be the host’s primary residence, occupied at least 60 consecutive days a year. A host may operate only one STR in the city.
When the host is present, there is no cap on rental nights. When the host is absent, bookings are capped at 180 nights per calendar year. Occupancy is limited to about two persons per bedroom plus two, with lower caps for un-hosted stays.
San Jose has no dedicated STR permit or public registry. Hosts must hold a City of San Jose Business Tax Certificate, renewed annually. The city charges a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on stays of 30 nights or fewer, and Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit it automatically.
Hosts must name a local contact who can respond within one hour, keep working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, meet fire-safety rules, and keep records for three years. Non-compliance can lead to fines and loss of the ability to operate. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
Our research found no major ordinance change in 2025 or 2026. Confirm current rules with the City of San Jose before you buy.
Market Comparison
Against rough US benchmarks of about 55% occupancy and a $220 ADR, the San Jose and Sunnyvale area STR market shows high occupancy and a lower rate. August 2026 occupancy of 77.2% is 22.2 points above the 55% benchmark. The $181 ADR is $39 below the $220 benchmark.
Revenue per available night, which is ADR times occupancy, works out to about $140. That is a derived figure, not a published one.
This market earns its income from volume of booked nights, not high rates. Premium tiers still reach well above the national ADR benchmark, with luxury at $378 and entire homes at $258.
Top property manager data is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for San Jose, so this profile omits it.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Jose, California
Are short-term rentals legal in San Jose?
How much do San Jose area Airbnbs earn?
What is the best time of year for San Jose short-term rentals?
What tax do San Jose STR hosts collect?
How long do guests stay and how far ahead do they book?
What does a home cost in San Jose compared with STR income?
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