Salem, Oregon Short-Term Rental Market
Mid-Willamette Valley STR market averaged $172 ADR, 65.2% occupancy and $3,050 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Salem, Oregon is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Salem market area is 65%. average monthly revenue in the Salem market area is $3,050. average daily rate in the Salem market area is $172. the top operator in the Salem market area is Red Tail Ridge Rentals with 26 listings. market score is 67/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the wider Salem market, which covers 11 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Salem.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers Salem, Oregon through the lens of the Mid-Willamette Valley STR market. Short-term rental performance is tracked at a shared regional level that Salem shares with Albany and Corvallis, so every performance figure below describes the Mid-Willamette Valley STR market rather than Salem alone. Salem is Oregon’s capital and third-largest city, with about 180,406 residents, and the surrounding Marion and Polk County region drew roughly 2.5 million visitors in 2022 according to Travel Salem.
In September 2026 the Mid-Willamette Valley STR market posted an average daily rate of $172, occupancy of 65.2%, and average monthly revenue of $3,050 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 9.6%, ADR is up 3.8%, and revenue is up 10.5%. Entire-place rentals earned an ADR of $187 in the month, above the all-listings figure.
The longer trend is worth reading carefully. Annual occupancy peaked at 71.9% in 2021 and slid each year to 58.8% in 2025, while ADR rose from $138 in 2021 to $153 in 2025. Through the first nine months of 2026, occupancy is 59.8%, ADR is $160, and average monthly revenue is $2,679, which points to a market that has stopped losing occupancy and is now growing rates. Seasonal-sum annualized revenue stands at $26,506 per listing.
Demand here is shaped by government and civic travel, wine-country day trips, and events such as the Oregon State Fair and the Salem Art Fair. Visitors also use Salem as an affordable base for Silver Falls State Park, nearby wineries, and the coast. The market skews toward value-oriented and mid-week business stays rather than luxury leisure.
Because bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Salem, this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 48% |
| Feb | 58% |
| Mar | 60% |
| Apr | 61% |
| May | 62% |
| Jun | 70% |
| Jul | 71% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 63% |
| Oct | 58% |
| Nov | 55% |
| Dec | 51% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Salem are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Salem market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Salem market as a whole, which includes Salem, so these counts are not Salem-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Tail Ridge Rentals | 26 | 4,871 | ★ 4.83 |
| 2 | Salem Stays | 24 | 955 | ★ 4.86 |
| 3 | Evolve | 23 | 984 | ★ 4.83 |
| 4 | Vacasa | 9 | 137 | ★ 4.83 |
| 5 | T E Experiences | 5 | 155 | ★ 4.91 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Salem?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Salem 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 | 64.6% |
| vrbo | 4.3% |
| both | 31.1% |
Home Value Trends (Salem)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Salem 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 Salem — 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
Short-term rentals are legal in Salem and require an annual city license under Salem Revised Code Chapter 30. There are two tracks: a standard Short-Term Rental License and an Accessory Short-Term Rental License. The initial license fee is reported at about $275, licenses expire on December 31, and they must be renewed each year. Confirm current fees with the Planning Department at 503-588-6213.
The standard license has no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, which makes Salem more open to investors than some larger Oregon cities. Standard rentals are allowed in detached houses and condominium dwellings. Accessory rentals are allowed in houses, duplexes, condominium units or guest houses where the operator lives, at least 270 days a year. When an accessory unit is rented whole while the operator is away, it is capped at about 95 nights per year. Hosted stays have no night limit.
Zoning matters. Allowance depends on the residential or mixed-use zone, and a conditional use permit may be required in some zones, which can add significant cost before a license is approved.
Operators must carry liability insurance, meet the City Housing Code (SRC 59) and fire-safety standards including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, keep a guest registry, display the license number on all listings, and limit on-site parking.
Taxes are a real cost. The city’s 9% Transient Occupancy Tax applies, and a 2% Tourism Promotion Area fee now applies to STR stays booked on or after May 1, 2026. With Oregon’s 1.5% state lodging tax, guests face roughly 12.5% in lodging taxes and fees. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
The Mid-Willamette Valley STR market shows a distinct profile in September 2026, with occupancy of 65.2% and an ADR of $172.
That combination describes a value-priced, high-utilization market. Guests here pay modest nightly rates but fill calendars at a healthy rate. Revenue of $3,050 per listing per month reflects that balance.
The year-over-year numbers are also favorable. Occupancy is up 9.6%, ADR is up 3.8%, and revenue is up 10.5%. Annual occupancy of 59.8% in 2026 so far is a gentler figure than September’s.
Premium positioning widens the earnings gap. Luxury listings at $299 and professionally managed listings at $266 sit well above the $172 market-wide ADR, so operators who invest in quality can price above the market average.
Property-manager and operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Salem, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Salem, Oregon
What is the average occupancy of Airbnb and VRBO rentals in the Salem, Oregon area?
How much revenue does a short-term rental earn in the Mid-Willamette Valley?
Do I need a license to run a short-term rental in Salem?
What taxes apply to short-term rental stays in Salem?
What is the best month to earn money from a rental in the Salem area?
What does it cost to buy a home in Salem for use as a rental?
How far ahead do guests book, and how long do they stay?
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