Aurora, Colorado Short-Term Rental Market
Aurora STRs averaged $156/night at 66.7% occupancy in April 2026 across 13,183 active listings.
Quick Answer: Aurora, Colorado is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Denver market area is 78%. average monthly revenue in the Denver market area is $4,298. average daily rate in the Denver market area is $202. 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’s third-largest city with 394,432 residents, operates one of the Denver metro’s largest short-term rental markets with 13,183 active listings as of the latest snapshot. Entire-place rentals dominate at 10,946 units (83% of listings), with private rooms accounting for 2,151 and shared rooms a slim 86. By bedroom count, 1-bedroom units are the most common at 5,675 listings, followed by 2-bedroom (3,278) and 3-bedroom (2,034). Airbnb is the dominant channel with 7,757 exclusive listings, while 4,865 properties list on both Airbnb and VRBO and 561 appear on VRBO only.
In April 2026, Aurora STRs posted an average daily rate of $156, an occupancy rate of 66.7%, and a RevPAR of $104. Year-over-year comparisons show modest softening: occupancy is down 1.0 percentage points, ADR is down 2.2%, and revenue is essentially flat (-0.06%). The 2025 annual average occupancy of 67.9% and ADR of $167 reflect consistent mid-tier performance across the market. Aurora’s market score of 55.3 out of 100 reflects strong rental demand (86.0) and low seasonality risk (78.3), offset by tighter regulation scores (63.0) and below-average revenue growth (50.0).
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 58% |
| Feb | 65% |
| Mar | 68% |
| Apr | 67% |
| May | 71% |
| Jun | 81% |
| Jul | 80% |
| Aug | 76% |
| 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 permits short-term rentals (stays of 30 nights or fewer) but restricts them to an operator’s primary residence. Hosts must reside at the property for at least 185 days per year. Investment properties where the owner does not live are not eligible for STR licensing.
A City Business License (Home Occupation) is required before listing. The initial license costs $43 and renews on a biennial cycle at $26. The license number must appear on all platform listings. Entire-home rentals are capped at 180 nights per calendar year. Only one booking at a time is permitted.
Hosts must collect and remit an 8% city lodger’s tax, payable monthly or quarterly, in addition to Colorado state sales tax. Major platforms typically collect state-level taxes automatically, but the city’s 8% portion is the host’s responsibility to remit. Safety requirements include working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Enforcement is rated moderate: the city monitors listings and relies on complaints. HOA rules may independently prohibit STRs regardless of city licensing. The regulatory framework has been stable since the 2016 ordinance with only incremental fee adjustments through 2025.
Market Comparison
Aurora’s 66.7% occupancy in April 2026 is above the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%, and its $156 ADR runs meaningfully below the national median of roughly $220, reflecting Aurora’s role as an urban suburban market rather than a destination resort. The RevPAR of $104 is competitive for a metro-adjacent market.
On rental demand, Aurora scores 86.0 out of 100, driven by proximity to Denver International Airport, the Gaylord Rockies convention draw, and Cherry Creek State Park. The market hosts 13,183 active listings, one of the larger urban STR inventories in Colorado.
The professional management landscape is competitive. Evolve leads with 276 listings and a 4.65 average rating across 10,485 reviews. Atomic Vacation Rentals (142 listings, 4.84 rating, 9,929 reviews) and Effortless Rental Group (137 listings, 4.77 rating, 10,713 reviews) round out the top tier. Together, the top three operators manage 555 listings, representing about 4.2% of total market inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora, Colorado
What is the average occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Aurora, CO?
What permits do I need to operate an Airbnb in Aurora, Colorado?
How much revenue can an Aurora short-term rental generate?
Is there a night cap on Aurora Airbnb rentals?
What taxes apply to Aurora short-term rentals?
What is the average booking lead time and length of stay in Aurora?
Who are the top property managers in the Aurora STR market?
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