Lynchburg, Virginia Short-Term Rental Market
Lynchburg, VA STRs averaged $144 per night at 57.0% occupancy in April 2026 across 1,338 active listings.
Quick Answer: Lynchburg, Virginia is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Lynchburg market area is 52%. average monthly revenue in the Lynchburg market area is $2,236. average daily rate in the Lynchburg market area is $142. the top operator in the Lynchburg market area is Hallin And Co Management with 38 listings. market score is 92/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the wider Lynchburg market, which covers 3 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Lynchburg.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Lynchburg’s short-term rental market spans approximately 1,338 active listings across the city’s historic neighborhoods, university district, and James River corridor. In April 2026, the market posted an average daily rate of $144 and occupancy of 57.0%, generating average monthly revenue of $2,262 per listing. RevPAR was $82.
The listing mix is strongly oriented toward entire-place rentals: 1,179 listings (88%) are whole-home or whole-apartment units, with 158 private rooms and one shared room rounding out the inventory. By bedroom count, studios and 1-bedroom units form the largest segment at 521 listings, followed by 2-bedroom (353), 3-bedroom (295), 4-bedroom (113), and 5-bedroom and above (55).
Airbnb is the dominant booking channel, with 853 listings appearing only on Airbnb, 48 listed exclusively on VRBO, and 437 active on both platforms simultaneously.
Year-over-year as of the April 2026 data point, occupancy rose 3.0% while ADR declined 6.1%, resulting in a net revenue gain of 7.5%. The 2025 annual average occupancy was 53.2% at an ADR of $139 and average monthly revenue of $2,106, up from $2,094 in 2024.
Lynchburg draws more than 742,000 out-of-market visitors annually, supported by Civil War history, 40-plus miles of urban trails along the James River, craft breweries, Liberty University, and the University of Lynchburg. Visitor spending totaled $409.9 million in FY2025. The market’s composite score of 92.2 out of 100 reflects strong investability (89.6) and rental demand (87.3), partially offset by a revenue growth score of 59.2.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 45% |
| Feb | 56% |
| Mar | 57% |
| Apr | 56% |
| May | 56% |
| Jun | 57% |
| Jul | 63% |
| Aug | 63% |
| Sep | 57% |
| Oct | 60% |
| Nov | 53% |
| Dec | 49% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Lynchburg are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Lynchburg market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Lynchburg market as a whole, which includes Lynchburg, so these counts are not Lynchburg-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hallin And Co Management | 38 | 1,712 | ★ 4.91 |
| 2 | Heart of Virginia Realty | 21 | 4,523 | ★ 4.78 |
| 3 | Leisr Stays | 18 | 1,212 | ★ 4.92 |
| 4 | Evolve | 15 | 564 | ★ 4.69 |
| 5 | All Belong Co | 13 | 1,915 | ★ 4.95 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Lynchburg?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Lynchburg 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 | 63.8% |
| vrbo | 3.6% |
| both | 32.7% |
Home Value Trends (Lynchburg)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Lynchburg 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 Lynchburg — 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
Lynchburg permits short-term rentals citywide under a registration-based ordinance (City Code Chapter 35.2). Each property must be registered through the city’s online Citizen Portal. Once an application is approved, the registration fee is $150 per property. If ownership of the property changes, a new registration fee is required.
Owner occupancy is not required, and there is no primary-residence requirement, meaning investor-owned non-owner-occupied STRs are permitted citywide subject to zoning compliance. Occupancy is capped at four unrelated guests; if two or more occupants are related, one additional unrelated person is permitted.
STR revenue is subject to a 6.5% transient occupancy (lodging) tax plus $1 per room per night, remitted monthly to the Commissioner of the Revenue. A City Council proposal to raise the rate to 12.5% was voted down in May 2025; the 6.5% rate remains in effect. No maximum nights-per-year cap applies.
Enforcement is complaint-driven and rated moderate. An operator who accumulates three violations of state or local law within one year may be prohibited from operating. The city does not conduct proactive inspections. No off-street parking is required, and rental units must comply with the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
Market Comparison
Lynchburg’s 57.0% occupancy in April 2026 exceeds the U.S. STR median of approximately 55%. Its $144 ADR sits well below the national median of roughly $220, reflecting Lynchburg’s positioning as a mid-market, value-oriented destination rather than a premium tourist market.
The composite market score of 92.2 out of 100 places Lynchburg among high-scoring mid-size secondary markets, driven by investability (89.6) and rental demand (87.3). Revenue growth score (59.2) is the primary drag, consistent with the 6.1% year-over-year ADR decline in April 2026, despite overall revenue growing 7.5% on volume.
Among the top five operators, Hallin And Co Management leads by listing count with 38 listings and a 4.91 guest rating. Heart of Virginia Realty operates 21 listings with the largest accumulated review base at 4,523 reviews and a 4.78 rating. Leisr Stays holds 18 listings with a 4.92 rating. The national platform Evolve operates 15 listings at a 4.69 rating, and All Belong Co rounds out the top five with 13 listings at a 4.95 rating. The five operators combined manage 105 listings, approximately 7.8% of the 1,338-listing market. The market remains fragmented, with most inventory held by independent hosts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lynchburg, Virginia
How many short-term rental listings are active in Lynchburg, VA?
What is the average nightly rate for an Airbnb in Lynchburg, VA?
What is the average monthly revenue for a Lynchburg STR?
Does Lynchburg require a permit for short-term rentals?
When is peak season for STRs in Lynchburg, VA?
What is Lynchburg's short-term rental occupancy tax rate?
How does Lynchburg compare to national STR benchmarks?
Analyze Lynchburg Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Lynchburg.
Free Lynchburg STR Calculator →
