Langley, Washington Short-Term Rental Market
Langley, WA (Whidbey Island) STRs averaged $233/night at 53.6% occupancy in April 2026, with strict whole-home permit caps within city limits.
Quick Answer: Langley, Washington is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 70%. average monthly revenue is $5,762. average daily rate is $317. the top operator is Vacasa with 327 listings. market score is 70/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Puget Sound/Bremerton regional market, which includes Langley. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Langley.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Langley is a small waterfront city of 1,139 residents on the southern end of Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, roughly 30 miles north of Seattle and accessible by Washington State Ferry from Mukilteo. Known locally as Village by the Sea, Langley’s compact downtown hosts galleries, restaurants, and whale-watching access over Saratoga Passage. The broader Whidbey Island market draws Pacific Northwest travelers seeking coastal scenery, arts, and outdoor recreation year-round.
The STR market data for this record reflects the broader Whidbey Island market area; the 5,386 active listings are inconsistent with Langley’s city limits for a 1,139-resident community and represent the island’s wider STR inventory. Langley’s own city ordinance applies specific license type and cap rules within city boundaries (detailed in the regulatory section).
The market recorded an average daily rate of $233 and occupancy of 53.6% in April 2026, translating to RevPAR of $125.00 and average monthly revenue of $3,259 per listing. Year-over-year, revenue declined 2.2% as a 4.3% ADR gain was more than offset by a 1.9-percentage-point occupancy decline.
Entire-place rentals represent 5,066 units (94.1% of total), with 318 private-room listings and 2 shared rooms. Airbnb-only listings number 2,535, 2,442 list on both platforms, and 409 are VRBO-only.
By bedroom count, 1-bedroom units lead at 2,160 listings, followed by 2-bedroom (1,396), 3-bedroom (1,145), 4-bedroom (481), and 5-bedroom (193). The composite market score of 70.2 reflects an investability score of 65.1, moderated by Langley’s strict regulatory framework, alongside a revenue growth score of 81.5.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $177 | $1,852 |
| Feb | 47% | $182 | $2,000 |
| Mar | 50% | $188 | $2,477 |
| Apr | 56% | $204 | $2,992 |
| May | 58% | $221 | $3,172 |
| Jun | 69% | $255 | $4,432 |
| Jul | 79% | $256 | $5,321 |
| Aug | 79% | $255 | $5,363 |
| Sep | 63% | $228 | $3,781 |
| Oct | 50% | $194 | $2,718 |
| Nov | 45% | $192 | $2,271 |
| Dec | 45% | $193 | $2,323 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Langley
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 327 | 24,080 | ★ 4.52 |
| 2 | Evolve | 144 | 9,100 | ★ 4.83 |
| 3 | San Juan Property Management | 91 | 8,680 | ★ 4.73 |
| 4 | AvantStay | 83 | 6,296 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Brigadoon Vacation Rentals | 58 | 3,491 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Langley?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,160 |
| 2 bed | 1,396 |
| 3 bed | 1,145 |
| 4 bed | 481 |
| 5 bed | 193 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $326 |
| Luxury | $565 |
| Professionally Managed | $381 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $4,225 |
| Entire Place | $5,964 |
| House | $6,381 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 47.1% |
| vrbo | 7.6% |
| both | 45.3% |
Investment Analysis
Langley market area STRs generated an average of $3,259 per month in April 2026, annualizing to approximately $39,100 at that run rate. The 2025 full-year annual average was $3,908 per month (explicit 2025 annual average), annualizing to approximately $46,900. No housing value data is available through our source for this market area, so gross yield calculations require current comparable Whidbey Island property sale data obtained independently.
The investability score of 65.1 reflects the regulatory constraints on non-hosted whole-home rentals within Langley city limits, where the Type IV whole-home permit is capped at 15 units citywide. Investors seeking to operate a non-hosted whole-home STR within Langley proper must verify current permit availability with the city before purchasing, as the cap may be substantially or fully allocated. Hosted rentals (Type I and II) and Type III units in commercial/business zones face less severe caps.
Rate segmentation shows meaningful tier differentiation. Luxury-tier listings averaged $412 per night, 76.7% above the market-wide $233. Professionally managed properties averaged $265 per night (13.6% above market). Entire-home listings averaged $240 per night, a 3.0% premium over the overall average.
Revenue by property type: houses averaged $3,532 per month, entire-place listings $3,362, and apartments $2,475. Annual revenue has grown from $2,317 per month (2017 annual average) to $3,908 (2025), a 68.7% gain over eight years. The revenue growth score of 81.5 suggests continued above-median appreciation potential.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Langley market area guests book an average of 44 days in advance and stay an average of 3.4 nights per stay. These metrics are consistent with a Pacific Northwest island destination where travelers plan ferry crossings and outdoor activities ahead of time.
The 44-day lead time means most summer peak bookings for July and August arrive by late May or early June. Operators who set summer rates in April are positioned to capture this advance demand at their target pricing. Waiting until May or June to adjust rates for the peak season concedes control to platform search algorithms that may adjust displayed rates downward when availability is open past the typical booking window.
At 3.4 nights average length of stay, guests stay for long weekends or extended island visits. This is well-suited to Whidbey Island’s multi-attraction character: whale watching, Langley’s arts district, sea kayaking, state parks, and Puget Sound waterfront all support multi-day itineraries. Operators who present the island’s broader experience in their listings may attract guests who book the longer-end stays that improve revenue per turnover cycle.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals (fewer than 30 consecutive nights) are legal in Langley under Municipal Code 5.40 and zoning code Chapter 18.22, but tightly regulated. Every operator must obtain a short-term rental license and a city business license (origination and renewal fee of $138 for gross income over $2,000; no fee for income under $2,000).
Langley defines four license types based on use and operator presence:
– Type I: Renting up to 2 guest rooms while owner or manager resides on-site when guests are present. Allowed more broadly across residential zones.
– Type II: Bed and breakfast inns, owner on-site, maximum 6 rooms.
– Type III: Residential units in Neighborhood Business or Central Business zones.
– Type IV: Whole-home rentals. This type is hard-capped at 15 citywide (reduced by City Council from 30; at the time of reduction only 9 were issued, so no existing operators were displaced). Investors seeking a Type IV permit must verify current availability with the city, as the cap may be substantially allocated.
Additional restrictions: ADUs used as STRs are capped at 50 citywide, and no more than 25% of units in any multi-unit building may operate as STRs. Hosted types (I and II) require owner or manager occupancy; Type III and IV do not.
Guests pay Langley’s 2% lodging (hotel/motel) tax in addition to approximately 9.2% combined state and local sales tax. Enforcement is aggressive: the city contracts a specialized STR enforcement firm, runs a 24-hour anonymous complaint hotline, and can levy civil penalties up to $500 per day per violation, with each day as a separate offense, plus license suspension or revocation. The regulation score of 72.7 reflects a compliant but demanding framework.
Market Comparison
Langley market area’s April 2026 occupancy of 53.6% is slightly below the approximate U.S. STR median of 55%, consistent with the April shoulder position in a Pacific Northwest summer market. The average daily rate of $233 is above the U.S. median of approximately $220, reflecting Pacific Northwest waterfront and island market premiums.
The revenue growth score of 81.5 and demand score of 83.4 are both above median, reflecting strong underlying Pacific Northwest travel demand. The lower investability score of 65.1 reflects Langley’s strict Type IV cap and regulatory framework, which limits new non-hosted whole-home inventory.
Property management is heavily consolidated relative to total market size. Vacasa leads with 327 listings and 24,080 reviews (rating 4.52). Evolve manages 144 listings (rating 4.83, 9,100 reviews). San Juan Property Management holds 91 listings (rating 4.73, 8,680 reviews). AvantStay operates 83 listings (rating 4.75) and Brigadoon Vacation Rentals manages 58 listings (rating 4.81). The top five collectively hold 703 listings, approximately 13.1% of the 5,386-listing market area. This concentration, combined with high review volumes per operator, signals a professional and competitive management landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions About Langley, Washington
Is the Langley whole-home STR (Type IV) permit cap still available?
What permits are required for STRs in Langley, WA?
What is the lodging tax in Langley, WA?
When is peak season for Langley STRs?
How much monthly revenue does a Langley area STR generate?
Who manages the most STRs in the Langley/Whidbey Island market?
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