Aurora, Colorado Short-Term Rental Market
Aurora requires primary residence for STRs; Denver metro September 2026 ADR $186, occupancy 70.5%, revenue $3,661 monthly.
Quick Answer: Aurora, Colorado is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Denver market area is 70%. average monthly revenue in the Denver market area is $3,661. average daily rate in the Denver market area is $186. the top operator in the Denver market area is Evolve with 276 listings. market score is 55/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Denver regional market, which includes Aurora. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Aurora.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Aurora, Colorado is the state’s third-largest city, with a population of 394,432, and it sits directly next to Denver. Short-term rental performance for Aurora is measured at the Denver metro level, a shared series that covers the wider metro area. Every performance number on this page therefore describes the Denver metro STR market rather than Aurora alone. In September 2026 the Denver metro STR market averaged an ADR of $186 at 70.5% occupancy, which produced average monthly revenue of $3,661 per listing. Year over year, occupancy rose 0.9%, ADR rose 2.3%, and revenue rose 4.2%. Through nine months of 2026 the metro averaged 69.8% occupancy, a $174 ADR, and $3,385 in monthly revenue. Entire place listings earned an ADR of $205, above the all-listings average. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Aurora, so this profile omits them. Demand drivers inside Aurora include the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, with 1,501 rooms and more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space, and Cherry Creek State Park, a 4,200-acre park with a reservoir, trails, and camping. Travelers using Denver International Airport also stay in Aurora’s 11,000+ hotel rooms, and visitors contributed an estimated $511.9 million in direct travel spending in 2024. Investors should keep one point in mind: Aurora limits STRs to the host’s primary residence, so the metro figures describe the broader market and not what a non-resident owner could legally earn inside city limits.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 58% |
| Feb | 65% |
| Mar | 68% |
| Apr | 67% |
| May | 71% |
| Jun | 81% |
| Jul | 80% |
| Aug | 75% |
| Sep | 73% |
| Oct | 69% |
| Nov | 61% |
| Dec | 62% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Aurora are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Denver market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Denver market as a whole, which includes Aurora, so these counts are not Aurora-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 276 | 10,485 | ★ 4.65 |
| 2 | Atomic Vacation Rentals | 142 | 9,929 | ★ 4.84 |
| 3 | Effortless Rental Group | 137 | 10,713 | ★ 4.77 |
| 4 | VacayPlay | 83 | 5,410 | ★ 4.39 |
| 5 | Homes with Hospitality LLC | 81 | 853 | ★ 4.94 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Aurora?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Aurora 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 | 58.8% |
| vrbo | 4.3% |
| both | 36.9% |
Home Value Trends (Aurora)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Aurora 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 Aurora — 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
Aurora allows short-term rentals, defined as stays of 30 nights or fewer, but only at the host’s primary residence. The operator must live at the property at least 185 days per year, and investment properties and non-owner-occupied homes are prohibited from operating STRs. STRs are classified as a home occupation and are permitted in residential zones. Accessory dwelling unit exceptions apply when the owner lives in the primary structure. A City Business License (Home Occupation) is required before listing. The initial license costs $43 and is valid for two years, with renewals at $26. An AI-parsed summary of the city’s October 2025 FAQ suggested the fee may now be $45, so hosts should confirm the current amount at AuroraGov.org/obl before applying. The license number must appear on all listing platforms. Entire-home STRs are capped at 180 rental days per calendar year, and only one booking at a time is allowed. Hosts must collect and remit an 8% city lodger’s tax, payable monthly or quarterly, in addition to Colorado state sales tax. Platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO typically handle the state portion, but the host remains responsible for the city’s 8%. Working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are required. Enforcement severity is moderate: it is complaint-driven, and the city also monitors listings. HOA rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city approval. No major new ordinance changes were identified between 2025 and May 2026.
Market Comparison
In the Denver metro STR market, occupancy was 70.5% in September 2026 and the ADR was $186. Luxury listings have an ADR of $337, professionally managed listings average $221, and entire place listings average $205. Year-over-year growth is modest and positive, with occupancy up 0.9%, ADR up 2.3%, and revenue up 4.2%. Year-by-year data shows that occupancy peaked at 74.2% in 2021 and has since ranged from 67.9% to 71.8%, while the annual ADR rose from $144 in 2021 to $174 so far in 2026. For an investor comparing markets, the Denver metro offers dependable demand, but Aurora’s primary-residence rule and 180-night cap mean that the headline occupancy and revenue numbers apply most directly to resident hosts rather than to purchased investment properties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora, Colorado
Can investors run short-term rentals in Aurora, Colorado?
How many nights per year can an Aurora STR be rented?
What does an Aurora STR license cost and how long does it last?
What is the occupancy tax for Aurora short-term rentals?
What are average STR occupancy and ADR in the Denver metro area?
Which months earn the most for Denver metro STRs?
How much does a typical home cost in Aurora?
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