Wilmington, Delaware Short-Term Rental Market
Wilmington code technically bars STRs in residential zones, though enforcement is minimal; August ADR $159, occupancy 58.2%, revenue $2,646.
Quick Answer: Wilmington, Delaware is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Philadelphia market area is 62%. average monthly revenue in the Philadelphia market area is $2,636. average daily rate in the Philadelphia market area is $155. the top operator in the Philadelphia market area is Luxora with 233 listings. market score is 92/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Philadelphia regional market, which includes Wilmington. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Wilmington.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
In August 2026, the newest month in the data, the Wilmington short-term rental market posted an average daily rate (ADR) of $159, occupancy of 58.2%, and average revenue of $2,646 per listing for the month. Year over year, ADR rose 11.2%, occupancy fell 6.5%, and revenue fell 3.7%, so higher rates did not fully offset softer demand. For all of 2025, the annual averages were an ADR of $143, occupancy of 60.2%, and monthly revenue of $2,455. The first eight months of 2026 average an ADR of $158, occupancy of 60.2%, and monthly revenue of $2,654, which puts 2026 ahead of 2025 on rate and revenue with occupancy flat.
Our records show 324 active listings in Wilmington as of November 2025, the latest local count on file. That count is older than the performance figures, so use it as a size reference rather than a current total. Wilmington sits in the Delaware portion of the Philadelphia metro area. Its guests come for historic estate museums such as Winterthur, Nemours, and Hagley, plus convention, sports, and corporate and government travel. The area profile reports a population of 71,727 and notes that Wilmington hotel overnight stays rose 36.3 percent from 2022 to 2023.
Listing-type mix and bedroom mix are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Wilmington, so this profile omits them. The revenue breakdown below shows how entire places, houses, and apartments differ in monthly revenue. Occupancy of 58.2% in August 2026 sits below the 2025 annual average of 60.2%, and the gap comes from a 6.5% year over year drop in occupancy. The 11.2% rise in ADR is the reason revenue fell only 3.7% despite that softer demand.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 48% |
| Feb | 56% |
| Mar | 59% |
| Apr | 61% |
| May | 63% |
| Jun | 65% |
| Jul | 65% |
| Aug | 63% |
| Sep | 62% |
| Oct | 62% |
| Nov | 58% |
| Dec | 53% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Wilmington are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Philadelphia market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Philadelphia market as a whole, which includes Wilmington, so these counts are not Wilmington-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxora | 233 | 9,906 | ★ 4.51 |
| 2 | PowerHouse | 191 | 634 | ★ 2.70 |
| 3 | Sosuite | 153 | 10,525 | ★ 4.28 |
| 4 | Dillman LLC | 148 | 960 | ★ 4.15 |
| 5 | Properties By Preston | 120 | 401 | ★ 4.09 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Wilmington?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Wilmington 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 | 65.6% |
| vrbo | 4.4% |
| both | 30.1% |
Home Value Trends (Wilmington)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Wilmington 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 Wilmington — 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
Wilmington rules are unsettled. Within city limits, existing code technically prohibits STRs in residential zones R1 to R5. Enforcement is minimal, with approximately 7 cease-and-desist orders issued citywide through late 2024. A proposed ordinance would have required permits, owner occupancy, one property per operator, a 2% city lodging tax, and a cap of 150 units. It was withdrawn in December 2024 after losing a committee vote. No local STR permit is currently required, per our profile.
In unincorporated New Castle County, STRs are not permitted in residential zoning districts and are allowed only in commercial zones. Hosts should confirm their zoning class with the county Department of Land Use at (302) 395-5400.
Taxes are clearer. Delaware’s 4.5% state STR lodging tax took effect January 1, 2025, for stays of 31 consecutive nights or fewer. Platforms collect it. Hosts who book directly need a Delaware accommodations intermediary business license ($25) and must remit the tax. New Castle County adds a 3% lodging tax, which the state collects for the county since July 1, 2025. The combined tax is 7.5%. The profile rates enforcement as minimal, but a withdrawn ordinance can return. Check current city council activity and your exact zoning before you rely on STR income.
Market Comparison
Wilmington occupancy of 58.2% in August 2026 is above the rough US STR median of about 55%. Its ADR of $159 is about 28% below the US median of roughly $220, so Wilmington earns its occupancy at a lower price point. The 2025 annual average occupancy of 60.2% and ADR of $143 show the same pattern.
Rate growth is the standout. August ADR rose 11.2% from a year earlier, while occupancy fell 6.5%. Markets with falling occupancy and rising rates often have supply or demand shifts that deserve a closer look before you commit capital.
Top-operator rankings and listing-type shares are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Wilmington, so this profile omits them. Compared with the national medians, Wilmington is a mid-priced market with above-median occupancy, and its 2026 year to date ADR of $158 shows the rate gains are holding. Revenue per listing of $2,646 in August 2026 is the figure to compare against local home costs before you underwrite a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilmington, Delaware
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