Bristol, Tennessee Short-Term Rental Market
Bristol, TN short-term rentals averaged $165/night at 49.6% occupancy in April 2026 across 12,510 active listings.
Quick Answer: Bristol, Tennessee is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Tennessee Area market area is 56%. average monthly revenue in the Tennessee Area market area is $3,325. average daily rate in the Tennessee Area market area is $218. the top operator in the Tennessee Area market area is Evolve with 408 listings. market score is 73/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Tennessee Area regional market, which includes Bristol. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Bristol.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Bristol, Tennessee operates one of the larger short-term rental markets in the Tri-Cities region, driven by its dual identity as a NASCAR motorsports destination and the Birthplace of Country Music. As of April 2026, the market recorded an average daily rate of $164.53 and occupancy of 49.6%, producing a RevPAR of $81.57. Year-over-year, occupancy improved by 0.87 percentage points, ADR grew 0.60%, and revenue rose 2.26%, reflecting modest but steady growth.
The market holds approximately 12,510 active listings across distribution channels: 5,688 listed on Airbnb only, 1,170 on VRBO only, and 5,652 on both platforms. Entire-place listings dominate at 11,881 units (94.9%), with private rooms accounting for 612 and shared rooms just 17. By bedroom count, 1-bedroom units are the largest segment at 4,078, followed by 2-bedrooms (3,352), 3-bedrooms (3,027), 4-bedrooms (1,217), and 5-bedroom-plus properties (807). The market’s overall score is 73.1 out of 100, with an investability sub-score of 92.8, one of the strongest components.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 35% |
| Feb | 45% |
| Mar | 53% |
| Apr | 49% |
| May | 52% |
| Jun | 59% |
| Jul | 61% |
| Aug | 51% |
| Sep | 46% |
| Oct | 53% |
| Nov | 47% |
| Dec | 45% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Bristol are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Tennessee Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Tennessee Area market as a whole, which includes Bristol, so these counts are not Bristol-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 408 | 14,027 | ★ 4.73 |
| 2 | Vacasa | 106 | 2,376 | ★ 4.59 |
| 3 | Byers & Harvey | 74 | 2,303 | ★ 4.85 |
| 4 | RedAwning | 64 | 848 | ★ 4.62 |
| 5 | RETREAT VACATIONS | 62 | 3,050 | ★ 4.82 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Bristol?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Bristol 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 | 45.5% |
| vrbo | 9.4% |
| both | 45.2% |
Home Value Trends (Bristol)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Bristol 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 Bristol — 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
Bristol, TN does not maintain a dedicated short-term rental ordinance. STRs are permitted and regulated through the city’s general business licensing framework, zoning code, and tax rules. Operators must obtain a business license from both the City of Bristol (initial cost: $15) and Sullivan County, and both licenses must be renewed annually. Tennessee’s tiered business-tax structure applies based on gross receipts.
Hosts must register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue and collect state sales tax (7%) plus Sullivan County local sales tax (2.25%). The City of Bristol imposes a 5% occupancy tax on lodging charges. Effective July 1, 2025, Sullivan County began collecting an additional county hotel and motel occupancy tax; this tax by statute defines the term to include short-term rental units and applies to the first 30 days of occupancy.
There is no published cap on nights per year, no owner-occupancy requirement, and no primary-residence requirement. STRs must comply with the property’s underlying zoning designation, parking standards, occupancy limits, and the city noise ordinance. Enforcement is characterized as minimal, consistent with the absence of a dedicated STR enforcement program. Tennessee’s Short-Term Rental Unit Act (T.C.A. 13-7-602) limits how aggressively localities can restrict existing or grandfathered STR use.
Market Comparison
The U.S. STR median occupancy is approximately 55%, placing Bristol’s 49.6% occupancy about 5 percentage points below the national median. Bristol’s ADR of $164.53 is below the U.S. median of approximately $220, consistent with its position as a regional drive-market destination rather than a coastal or ski resort market. The RevPAR of $81.57 reflects the combined effect of below-median occupancy and ADR.
The professional management landscape is led by Evolve with 408 listings and 14,027 reviews at a 4.73 average rating, making it the dominant operator by both scale and review volume. Vacasa holds 106 listings with a 4.59 rating. Byers and Harvey, a regional operator, manages 74 listings with the highest rating among the top five at 4.85. The top three operators together account for 588 listings, approximately 4.7% of the estimated active listing pool. The market’s investability score of 92.8 places it among the more attractive markets in the region by that measure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol, Tennessee
What is the average daily rate for STRs in Bristol, TN?
What occupancy rate can Bristol, TN STR investors expect?
How much revenue does an average Bristol, TN STR generate monthly?
Are short-term rentals permitted in Bristol, TN?
When is the best time of year to maximize STR revenue in Bristol, TN?
Who are the largest STR property managers operating in Bristol, TN?
How far in advance do guests typically book in Bristol, TN?
Analyze Bristol Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Bristol.
Free Bristol STR Calculator →
