Steamboat Springs, Colorado Short-Term Rental Market
Steamboat Springs STR market averaged $392/night ADR with 3,243 entire-place listings at a 49% annual occupancy rate.
Quick Answer: Steamboat Springs, Colorado is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 52%. average monthly revenue is $3,789. average daily rate is $384. the top operator in Steamboat Springs is Vacasa with 571 listings. market score is 41/100 (grade D).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Steamboat Springs operates one of Colorado’s most established short-term rental markets, driven by Steamboat Ski Resort’s nearly 3,000 skiable acres and a year-round outdoor recreation draw. As of April 2026 data, the market carries an average daily rate of $392 across approximately 3,283 active listings, with entire-place units accounting for 3,243 of those (99%) and private rooms representing the remaining 40. The bedroom mix skews toward multi-room properties: 1-bedroom units account for 673 listings, 2-bedroom units lead at 1,216, 3-bedroom at 678, 4-bedroom at 503, and 5-bedroom-plus at 203. Channel distribution shows strong multi-platform presence: 2,490 listings appear on both Airbnb and VRBO simultaneously, with 567 Airbnb-only and 226 VRBO-only. Annual occupancy averaged 49.4% in 2025. April 2026 occupancy registered 15.3%, reflecting the market’s pronounced spring off-season, with ADR year-over-year up 9.3% and revenue year-over-year down 1.5%. The market’s overall score is 41.0 out of 100 (investability 63.6, rental demand 50.1, revenue growth 50.2, regulation 77.5, seasonality 41.2), reflecting the high entry cost and compressed seasonal demand cycle that characterize mountain resort STR markets.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 61% |
| Feb | 70% |
| Mar | 65% |
| Apr | 20% |
| May | 37% |
| Jun | 50% |
| Jul | 54% |
| Aug | 43% |
| Sep | 38% |
| Oct | 27% |
| Nov | 31% |
| Dec | 56% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Steamboat Springs are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Steamboat Springs
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 571 | 22,671 | ★ 4.70 |
| 2 | Mountain Resorts | 302 | 3,678 | ★ 4.70 |
| 3 | Retreatia | 291 | 9,734 | ★ 4.57 |
| 4 | Moving Mountains | 157 | 468 | ★ 4.95 |
| 5 | Simply Steamboat | 132 | 984 | ★ 4.89 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Steamboat Springs?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Steamboat Springs 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 | 17.3% |
| vrbo | 6.9% |
| both | 75.8% |
Home Value Trends (Steamboat Springs)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs — 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
Steamboat Springs enforces one of the more structured STR licensing frameworks among Colorado resort towns. Any host advertising or renting a property for fewer than 30 consecutive nights must hold a city-issued STR license obtained through the CityView Portal before accepting bookings. Licenses renew annually at approximately $250 per year. The city divides its territory into three overlay zones adopted in June 2022 (Ordinances 2856-2858). Zone A (green) allows unlimited STR licenses with no unit cap. Zone B (yellow) caps units per subzone and currently issues new licenses only for properties with grandfathered or legally nonconforming status. Zone C (red) prohibits new STR licenses outright, with narrow exceptions for pre-existing vacation home rental permits. Three license categories exist: a standard STR (owner not present), a Hosted STR (one guestroom up to 400 sq ft, owner present during stays), and a Temporary STR (primary residence, owner not present, capped at 2 stays and 30 cumulative days per year). Hosted and Temporary STRs are exempt from Zone B caps and Zone C restrictions. Occupancy is capped at one person per 150 sq ft (minimum 2, maximum 16 guests). Hosts must maintain a local responsible party reachable within one hour. The city levies a 9% STR accommodations tax (effective January 2023) on top of standard sales taxes. Owner-occupied and primary-residence requirements do not apply to the standard STR license. Enforcement is classified as strict. A September 2025 council amendment added a pre-summons notice requirement for Zone A operators, while the direct-cite policy remains for Zone B and C violators.
Market Comparison
Steamboat Springs carries a higher ADR ($392 in April, $452 annual 2025 average) than the U.S. STR median of approximately $220, reflecting the premium pricing typical of established mountain resort destinations. Annual occupancy of 49.4% in 2025 runs below the U.S. median of roughly 55%, a direct consequence of the spring and fall troughs that characterize ski-only or ski-primary markets. RevPAR in April 2026 was $60.11. The management landscape is dominated by established property management companies. Vacasa leads the market with 571 listings and 22,671 reviews (4.70 rating). Mountain Resorts holds 302 listings (4.70 rating), and Retreatia manages 291 listings (4.57 rating). Moving Mountains operates 157 listings with a 4.95 rating, the highest in the top 5. Simply Steamboat rounds out the top 5 with 132 listings and a 4.89 rating. Combined, the top 5 operators account for 1,453 listings, representing approximately 44% of the estimated 3,283-listing market. Self-managed operators retain a meaningful share, particularly for owners who can absorb off-season vacancy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steamboat Springs, Colorado
What is the average daily rate for STRs in Steamboat Springs?
What occupancy rate can Steamboat Springs STR owners expect?
How much revenue does a typical STR generate in Steamboat Springs?
Do I need a license to operate an STR in Steamboat Springs?
What taxes apply to Steamboat Springs STRs?
How much does it cost to buy a property in Steamboat Springs for STR investment?
Who are the top property managers in the Steamboat Springs STR market?
Analyze Steamboat Springs Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Steamboat Springs.
Free Steamboat Springs STR Calculator →
