Fayetteville, Arkansas Short-Term Rental Market
Fayetteville, AR STRs averaged $184/night at 48.9% occupancy in April 2026, with $2,559 average monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Fayetteville, Arkansas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 49%. average monthly revenue is $2,559. average daily rate is $184. the top operator is Cohobnb Properties with 209 listings. market score is 66/100 (grade C).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Fayetteville, AR is a growing Northwest Arkansas college town anchored by the University of Arkansas and the SEC athletics calendar. Visitor spending reached more than $806 million in 2025 according to the city’s convention bureau. As of April 2026, the STR market recorded an average daily rate of $184 and an occupancy rate of 48.9%, producing a RevPAR of $90. Year-over-year through April 2026, occupancy declined 2.8% and revenue fell 3.6%, while ADR was essentially flat at +0.2%. These trends reflect some market softening after a strong 2024, warranting attention for investors.
The active listing base spans approximately 5,433 properties. Entire-place listings account for 5,144 units (95% of total), with private rooms at 289. Dual-channel properties (both Airbnb and VRBO) lead at 2,980, with 2,190 Airbnb-exclusive and 263 VRBO-only listings. By bedroom count, three-bedroom units lead slightly at 1,565, followed by one-bedroom (1,522), two-bedroom (1,418), four-bedroom (659), and five-bedroom (262) properties. The market’s composite score of 66.0 out of 100 reflects moderate investment fundamentals, with rental demand (83.3) and investability (82.0) as the strongest sub-scores.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35% | $134 | $1,453 |
| Feb | 44% | $139 | $1,514 |
| Mar | 55% | $164 | $2,409 |
| Apr | 49% | $163 | $2,223 |
| May | 53% | $180 | $2,553 |
| Jun | 61% | $190 | $3,160 |
| Jul | 60% | $189 | $3,213 |
| Aug | 53% | $177 | $2,618 |
| Sep | 51% | $184 | $2,457 |
| Oct | 55% | $185 | $2,889 |
| Nov | 47% | $177 | $2,359 |
| Dec | 41% | $154 | $1,909 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Fayetteville
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cohobnb Properties | 209 | 11,907 | ★ 4.81 |
| 2 | Evolve | 189 | 9,299 | ★ 4.80 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 89 | 4,919 | ★ 4.49 |
| 4 | Hosted Journey | 84 | 4,191 | ★ 4.89 |
| 5 | Stay NWA | 83 | 5,259 | ★ 4.91 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Fayetteville?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,522 |
| 2 bed | 1,418 |
| 3 bed | 1,565 |
| 4 bed | 659 |
| 5 bed | 262 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $188 |
| Luxury | $293 |
| Professionally Managed | $215 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,221 |
| Entire Place | $2,622 |
| House | $2,722 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 40.3% |
| vrbo | 4.8% |
| both | 54.8% |
Investment Analysis
Fayetteville’s STR investment calculus is shaped by a strong demand base and an increasingly restrictive regulatory environment. The typical home value is $380,101, while monthly STR revenue averaged $2,559 in April 2026. Annualizing that figure yields approximately $30,713 in gross revenue, implying a gross yield near 8% before operating expenses. The 2025 full-year average revenue was $2,861/month.
Tier comparisons show meaningful premiums above the baseline: entire-home listings average $188/night versus the all-listings ADR of $184, while professionally managed properties average $215/night (17% premium) and luxury-tier listings reach $293/night (59% premium). Revenue by property type: houses generated $2,722/month, entire-place listings averaged $2,622/month, and apartments averaged $2,221/month as of April 2026.
The critical constraint for new investors is the citywide cap on Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) STR licenses, which is set at 475 and was reached as of mid-2026, resulting in a waitlist. This cap was made permanent by City Council ordinance in December 2025. Investors purchasing a property expecting to operate a non-owner-occupied STR should verify waitlist status before acquisition. The investability score of 82.0 and rental demand score of 83.3 reflect solid underlying demand, but the regulation score of 70.0 and the permanent cap are significant risk factors for new entrants.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Guests in Fayetteville book an average of 41 days in advance, consistent with a market that draws deliberate planners: University of Arkansas sports fans booking around game-day weekends, festival attendees, and regional event travelers. This lead time provides good revenue visibility but also means operators should lock in premium pricing for known high-demand dates well in advance.
Average length of stay is 3.5 nights, suggesting a mix of game-day weekends and short leisure stays rather than extended vacations. This relatively short average stay creates more turnover than longer-stay markets, which has cost implications for cleaning and supplies.
For pricing strategy, operators should set event-specific rate premiums for Razorbacks home football games (typically six to seven home dates), graduation weekends, and major events like Banana Ball and cycling championships. The 41-day booking window means many of these event dates will have high occupancy already secured well before the event, while standard weekday and off-season demand benefits from modest last-minute pricing.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Fayetteville, AR has one of the more restrictive STR regulatory environments among mid-size southern college towns. Rentals under 30 days are divided into two license types: Type 1 is owner-occupied (the resident must occupy the property at least nine months per year) with no citywide cap. Type 2 is non-owner-occupied and is capped at 475 licenses citywide. That cap has been reached as of mid-2026, and new applicants are placed on a waitlist.
All STRs require a city business license (approximately $67 to start: $47 application plus $20 inspection; $47 renewal). Type 2 properties in residential zoning also need a Conditional Use Permit (approximately $200 additional fee). Licenses expire October 31 and renewal opens September 1. Type 2 properties face density restrictions: no more than 4% of detached single-family units within 500 feet, and no Type 2 may operate within 100 feet of another Type 2. In multi-family buildings, the cap is 10% of units.
The applicable short-term lodging tax is Fayetteville’s 2% Hotel/Motel/Restaurant (HMR) tax; combined with Arkansas state lodging and sales taxes the total guest tax burden is approximately 11.5%. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit automatically; direct bookings require monthly self-remittance. Enforcement is rated strict, with noncompliance risking withholding of city services. On December 16, 2025, the City Council voted 6-2 to make the 475 Type 2 cap and density rules permanent and tightened maximum occupancy to two guests per bedroom.
Market Comparison
Fayetteville, AR’s April 2026 occupancy of 48.9% is slightly below the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%. The $184 ADR is below the U.S. median of approximately $220 but reasonable for an inland southern college-town market without coastal or mountain premium demand. The 2025 annual average revenue of $2,861/month placed Fayetteville above many comparable-sized inland markets.
The market’s regulation score of 70.0 and strict enforcement designation make it a more constrained environment than most Arkansas cities, and the permanent Type 2 cap is a structural limitation on supply growth. This cap also functions as a demand floor for existing licensed operators, since new competition is restricted.
Among active operators, Cohobnb Properties leads with 209 listings, 11,907 reviews, and a 4.81 rating, the largest operator in this market. Evolve follows with 189 listings and a 4.80 rating. Stay NWA holds 83 listings with a 4.91 rating and 5,259 reviews, indicating high guest satisfaction. The top five operators collectively manage 654 listings, approximately 12% of the active market, a higher professional management concentration than most comparable markets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fayetteville, Arkansas
Can I still get a short-term rental license in Fayetteville, AR?
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Fayetteville, AR?
How much do Airbnb hosts earn per month in Fayetteville, AR?
When is peak STR season in Fayetteville, AR?
What taxes apply to Airbnb rentals in Fayetteville, AR?
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Is Fayetteville, AR a good market for STR investment given the license cap?
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