Bethany Beach, DE Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Bethany Beach Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Bethany Beach is a classic Delaware shore town where short-term rental revenue is heavily concentrated in the summer months, with August listings averaging $20,258 and winter months dipping below $1,400. The market currently has 75 active Airbnb listings with an average annual revenue of $79,478, but a steep average home value of $1,604,250 creates a challenging revenue-to-price ratio. An ADR of $455 sits well above Delaware's $342 state average, yet occupancy at just 15% — less than half the state's 32% — underscores how seasonal this coastal market truly is. Investors drawn to Bethany Beach should be prepared for a compressed earning window and conduct thorough property-level analysis before committing.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Bethany Beach short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026.

Why Investors Consider Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach attracts investor attention because of its high summer ADR and proximity to major East Coast metros, though the seasonal concentration of revenue and elevated home prices demand careful underwriting.

Expert Market Assessment

"Current data points to limited investment potential in Bethany Beach, driven primarily by a compressed earning season and a wide gap between home prices and achievable revenue. The market's extreme seasonality — with July and August generating roughly 50% of total annual income — leaves hosts with thin cash flow for eight or more months of the year. That said, 5-bedroom properties stand out with the strongest RevPAN at $117 and annual revenue near $99,295, which may pencil out for investors who can acquire at or below the market's average home value. Deeper, property-specific analysis is essential here; the right home at the right price could still work, but the market-wide numbers urge caution."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Bethany Beach

Average revenue by month in Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach exhibits extreme seasonality, with August ($20,258) and July ($19,672) generating roughly 50% of total annual revenue, while the slowest months — January ($1,100) and February ($1,359) — produce a fraction of that. The nearly 18x spread between peak and trough months means investors need strong summer bookings to carry the property through an extended off-season.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Bethany Beach

Three-bedroom homes dominate supply with 29 of the market's 75 listings, followed by 4-bedrooms (17) and 5-bedrooms (14), while 2-bedroom units are the scarcest at just 9 listings. The relatively thin 2-bedroom inventory could signal either limited demand for smaller units in a family-vacation market or a niche opportunity for budget-conscious travelers.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Bethany Beach

ADR scales steeply with size in Bethany Beach, from $272 for 2-bedroom properties to $631 for 5-bedroom homes — a 132% premium. The jump from 3 bedrooms ($347) to 4 bedrooms ($561) represents the largest absolute increase, suggesting that investors targeting the 4-bedroom segment may capture a meaningful rate premium without the added complexity of the largest homes.

Average RevPAN by property size in Bethany Beach

Five-bedroom properties deliver the strongest RevPAN at $117 per available night, nearly double the $64 posted by 3-bedroom listings and far ahead of the $19 that 2-bedroom units generate. The gap between 3-bedroom ($64) and 4-bedroom ($62) RevPAN is negligible, indicating that 5-bedroom homes are the clear efficiency leaders when factoring in both rate and occupancy.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Bethany Beach

Occupancy is universally low across all property sizes, ranging from just 7% for 2-bedroom homes to 19% for both 3- and 5-bedroom properties. These figures reflect the market's intense seasonality rather than a lack of demand during peak months, but they underscore the cash-flow risk for investors who rely on year-round bookings.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Bethany Beach

Larger properties earn meaningfully more each month, with 5-bedroom homes averaging $8,274 and 4-bedroom homes at $7,653, compared to $3,237 for 2-bedroom units. The $795 monthly gap between 4- and 5-bedroom properties is relatively modest, so the incremental revenue from a fifth bedroom should be weighed against the higher acquisition and maintenance costs.

Average annual revenue by property size in Bethany Beach

Five-bedroom properties lead with $99,295 in average annual revenue, followed by 4-bedrooms at $91,840, while 2-bedroom homes trail at $38,852. Given average home values around $1,604,250, even the highest-earning 5-bedroom configuration produces a gross yield of roughly 6.2%, which reinforces the importance of acquiring below-market or finding properties that can outperform the average.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Bethany Beach

Washer, dryer, parking, and kitchen each appear in 99% of listings, establishing them as non-negotiable baseline amenities for Bethany Beach. Outdoor-oriented features like patios (77%), BBQ grills (63%), and beach access (52%) are also widespread, signaling that guests expect a full beach-vacation experience — investors lacking these amenities may struggle to compete.

Understanding Bethany Beach's ROI Score: 24/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Bethany Beach's ROI Score of 24 out of 100 falls in the "Limited" band, reflecting below-average performance across all four calculation factors: revenue-to-price ratio, occupancy stability, market growth trend, and supply/demand balance. The combination of high home values, low year-round occupancy, and rapidly increasing supply creates headwinds that make market-wide returns challenging. Investors intrigued by the premium summer rates should pair this data with local regulatory research and focus on property-specific underwriting rather than relying on market averages.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Bethany Beach

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Bethany Beach. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

Short-term rental operators in Bethany Beach, Delaware may be required to obtain a rental permit or business license before listing a property. Investors should verify current permit requirements directly with the Town of Bethany Beach and the State of Delaware, as regulations can change.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions that may apply to short-term rentals in beach communities like Bethany Beach include occupancy limits tied to bedroom count, minimum-stay requirements during certain seasons, parking mandates, noise ordinances, and potential HOA restrictions in planned communities. It's important to review both municipal codes and any homeowners' association covenants before purchasing.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental hosts in Delaware are typically subject to state accommodations tax and may owe additional local lodging taxes. Platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit some of these taxes automatically, but hosts should confirm their full tax obligations with the Delaware Division of Revenue.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Bethany Beach can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Bethany Beach's performance will likely remain tightly tethered to its summer peak. With active listings having grown 164% year-over-year, increasing supply could put downward pressure on occupancy and nightly rates unless demand keeps pace — something investors should monitor closely. ADR may hold relatively steady in the $440–$470 range given the premium nature of beach properties, but annual occupancy is unlikely to climb materially above 15–20% without meaningful off-season demand drivers. Investors who can secure bookings in the May-through-September corridor and manage costs through the quieter months will be best positioned to capture whatever upside emerges."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Bethany Beach, DE

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Bethany Beach?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Bethany Beach is currently 15%, which is well below the Delaware state average of 32%. This reflects the market's strong seasonality — most bookings are concentrated in the summer months, with very limited demand during fall and winter. Occupancy rates range from 7% for 2-bedroom properties up to 19% for 3- and 5-bedroom homes.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Bethany Beach?

On average, Airbnb hosts in Bethany Beach earn approximately $79,478 per year, or about $6,623 per month when spread across the trailing 12 months. However, revenue varies dramatically by season and property size. Five-bedroom properties lead with an average annual revenue of $99,295, while 2-bedroom units average around $38,852. The vast majority of income is earned between May and September.

Is Bethany Beach a good market for Airbnb investment?

Bethany Beach currently carries a Rabbu ROI Score of 24 out of 100, indicating limited investment potential at the market level. The primary challenges are a below-average revenue-to-price ratio driven by high home values averaging $1,604,250, low year-round occupancy, and a rapidly growing supply of listings. That said, individual properties — particularly larger homes that can command premium summer rates — may still present viable opportunities if acquired at the right price. Thorough, property-specific due diligence is essential.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Bethany Beach?

The average daily rate in Bethany Beach is $455, which is notably higher than the Delaware state average of $342. ADR scales significantly with property size: 2-bedroom units average $272 per night, while 5-bedroom properties command $631. These rates reflect the premium that beachgoers are willing to pay during the summer vacation season.

Are short-term rentals legal in Bethany Beach?

Short-term rentals do operate in Bethany Beach, Delaware, with 75 active Airbnb listings currently on the market. However, local permit or licensing requirements may apply, and regulations can vary. Investors should check with the Town of Bethany Beach and the State of Delaware for the most current rules regarding STR permits, zoning restrictions, and tax obligations before purchasing a property.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Bethany Beach?

Peak season in Bethany Beach runs from June through August, with July and August being the highest-earning months by a wide margin. August leads at $20,258 in average monthly revenue, followed closely by July at $19,672. Revenue drops sharply outside this window — September falls to $6,807, and by January listings average just $1,100. This extreme seasonality is a defining characteristic of the market.

How many Airbnbs are there in Bethany Beach?

There are currently 75 active Airbnb listings in Bethany Beach. The supply is dominated by 3-bedroom properties (29 listings), followed by 4-bedroom (17), 5-bedroom (14), and 2-bedroom (9) homes. Notably, active listings have grown 164% year-over-year, which signals increasing competition among hosts in this small market.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Bethany Beach?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Bethany Beach are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — they are not forward-looking projections. Rabbu averages each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, removes regional outliers, and rolls up the results into a market-level historical average. Because each month uses its own historical performance data, the figures naturally reflect seasonal peaks (like July and August) and slower periods (like January). Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, location within the market, and how the property is managed.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts for the Bethany Beach market
• Average daily rate, occupancy, and RevPAN metrics benchmarked against state averages
• Monthly and annual revenue estimates based on trailing 12-month booking performance
• Property size breakdowns for listings, rates, occupancy, and revenue
• Home value data sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Local regulations, permit requirements, and tax obligations may change; always verify with municipal and state authorities before investing. Individual property results will vary based on location, condition, pricing strategy, and management quality.