Buena Vista, CO Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Buena Vista Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Buena Vista, CO is a mountain-recreation destination with 214 active Airbnb listings and an average annual revenue of $34,709 per property. With an ADR of $250 — well below the Colorado state average of $529 — the market positions itself as an accessible entry point for guests seeking outdoor adventure, which keeps demand spread across multiple seasons. However, a 28% occupancy rate signals that competition is real and pricing strategy matters, making property selection and operational excellence key differentiators for investors here.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista

Buena Vista appeals to STR investors seeking a mountain-town market with dependable seasonal demand and relatively stable occupancy patterns despite modest overall rates.

Expert Market Assessment

"Buena Vista earns an "Attractive Opportunity" designation with a 55/100 ROI score, reflecting a market where demand is real but returns require careful execution. Seasonality is pronounced — July and August account for the revenue high points while April dips to just $1,556 — so investors should model cash flow with these swings in mind. Larger properties consistently outperform on both ADR and RevPAN, suggesting that the best opportunities lie in 3- to 5-bedroom homes that can accommodate groups drawn to the area's rivers, trails, and mountain scenery."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Buena Vista

Average revenue by month in Buena Vista

Revenue in Buena Vista follows a classic mountain-town seasonal curve, peaking in July at $5,209 and bottoming in April at $1,556 — a spread of over $3,600. A notable March bump to $3,262 suggests late-winter recreation provides an additional revenue pocket beyond the dominant summer season.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Buena Vista

Two-bedroom units lead supply with 60 listings, closely followed by 3-bedrooms (55) and 1-bedrooms (51), while larger 4- and 5-bedroom properties are comparatively scarce at 28 and 9 listings respectively. This undersupply of bigger homes, combined with their higher revenue potential, may represent an opportunity for investors willing to acquire larger properties.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Buena Vista

ADR scales steeply with size in Buena Vista, jumping from $150 for studios to $522 for 5-bedroom properties — a 3.5x premium. The sharpest rate increase occurs between 3-bedrooms ($262) and 4-bedrooms ($379), suggesting the premium-to-cost trade-off is particularly strong in that mid-to-large range.

Average RevPAN by property size in Buena Vista

Revenue per available night climbs consistently with property size, from $44 for studios to $123 for 5-bedroom homes. The jump from 2-bedrooms ($50) to 3-bedrooms ($80) is especially notable, indicating that 3+ bedroom properties capture meaningfully better revenue efficiency after accounting for occupancy.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Buena Vista

Occupancy rates are remarkably flat across most property sizes at around 30%, with 2-bedroom (23%) and 5-bedroom (24%) units being the exceptions on the lower end. This consistency means that revenue differences between property sizes are driven primarily by rate rather than fill rate, giving investors more predictable booking patterns regardless of size.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Buena Vista

Monthly revenue ranges from $1,896 for studios to $5,272 for 5-bedroom homes, with each additional bedroom adding roughly $500–$1,000 in monthly income. Three-bedroom properties hit a productive sweet spot at $3,363/month, offering solid returns without the higher acquisition costs associated with 4- and 5-bedroom homes.

Average annual revenue by property size in Buena Vista

Annual revenue potential spans from $22,757 for studios to $63,267 for 5-bedroom properties, with 4-bedrooms generating $51,574 annually. Given Buena Vista's average home value of $952,269, investors targeting 4- or 5-bedroom properties will want to find acquisitions below the market average to achieve attractive yield ratios.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Buena Vista

Parking (95%) and kitchen access (92%) are near-universal, reflecting the practical needs of guests visiting a mountain destination. Outdoor-focused amenities like patios (69%), BBQ grills (58%), and backyards (53%) are common enough to be expected rather than differentiating, while hot tubs (18%) remain relatively rare and could serve as a competitive advantage for listings that offer them.

Understanding Buena Vista's ROI Score: 55/100

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

Buena Vista's ROI score of 55 out of 100 places it in the "Attractive Opportunity" band, reflecting a market where the fundamentals are sound but the revenue-to-price ratio (rated below average) requires investors to be strategic about acquisition costs. On the positive side, occupancy stability scores above average, meaning booking patterns are relatively predictable — a reassuring signal for cash-flow planning. Investors should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and focus on property types that maximize RevPAN, particularly 3- to 5-bedroom homes where per-night revenue is strongest.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Buena Vista

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

Permit Requirements

Short-term rental operators in Buena Vista, Colorado may be required to obtain a permit or register their property with local authorities before listing. Investors should verify current permitting requirements directly with the Town of Buena Vista and Chaffee County, as rules can change.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in Colorado mountain communities can include occupancy limits tied to bedroom count, minimum-stay requirements during certain seasons, noise ordinances, parking mandates, and HOA-level prohibitions that may override local permissions. It's important to review any applicable HOA covenants before purchasing, as some neighborhoods restrict or ban short-term rentals entirely.

Tax Obligations

Colorado imposes state sales tax on short-term rentals, and Buena Vista may levy additional local lodging or occupancy taxes. Major platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit some of these taxes automatically, but hosts should confirm which obligations remain their responsibility.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Buena Vista's strong summer revenue peak (July averaging $5,209) should continue to anchor annual returns, while shoulder seasons like March and September show enough activity to provide meaningful supplemental income. Occupancy stability scores above average in Rabbu's ROI analysis, suggesting demand patterns are relatively dependable even if not high in absolute terms. Investors can reasonably expect ADR to hold steady or edge up 1–3% as the area's outdoor recreation profile continues to attract visitors, though the 149% year-over-year growth in active listings warrants monitoring for potential supply saturation."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Buena Vista, CO

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Buena Vista?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Buena Vista is currently 28%, which falls below the Colorado state average of 45%. Occupancy varies by property size, with studios, 1-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom properties averaging around 30%, while 2-bedroom and 5-bedroom units sit slightly lower at 23–24%. The market's seasonal nature means summer months drive significantly higher bookings than the shoulder and off-peak periods.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Buena Vista?

Airbnb hosts in Buena Vista earn an average of $2,892 per month or approximately $34,709 annually, based on trailing 12-month performance data. Revenue varies substantially by property size — studios average about $22,757 per year while 5-bedroom properties can reach $63,267 annually. July is the strongest month, with average revenue hitting $5,209, while April is the softest at around $1,556.

Is Buena Vista a good market for Airbnb investment?

Buena Vista scores 55 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the "Attractive Opportunity" category. The market benefits from above-average occupancy stability, meaning demand is relatively predictable season to season. The main challenge is the revenue-to-price ratio — average home values of $952,269 relative to annual revenues of $34,709 mean investors need to target higher-performing property types (3+ bedrooms) or find below-market acquisitions to achieve strong cash-on-cash returns.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Buena Vista?

The average daily rate in Buena Vista is $250, which is below the Colorado state average of $529. ADR scales significantly with property size: studios average $150/night, while 5-bedroom homes command $522/night. This pricing structure makes larger properties especially compelling for investors targeting higher nightly revenue.

Are short-term rentals legal in Buena Vista?

Short-term rentals do operate in Buena Vista, CO, with 214 active Airbnb listings currently in the market. However, local regulations, permit requirements, and any applicable HOA restrictions should be thoroughly researched before purchasing an investment property. We recommend contacting the Town of Buena Vista and Chaffee County directly to confirm the latest rules governing STR operations.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Buena Vista?

Peak season in Buena Vista runs from June through September, with July being the standout month at $5,209 in average revenue. August follows closely at $4,624, while June and September both hover around $3,566–$3,570. The off-peak months of November through February see revenues drop to the $1,819–$2,088 range, with April being the lowest at $1,556. March offers a surprising mini-peak at $3,262, likely driven by late-season winter recreation.

How many Airbnbs are there in Buena Vista?

As of April 2026, there are 214 active Airbnb listings in Buena Vista. The market has seen significant year-over-year growth of 149% in active listings, indicating growing investor and host interest. Supply is concentrated in 1- to 3-bedroom properties, which together account for the majority of listings.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Buena Vista?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Buena Vista 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 the remainder up to a market-level historical average. This approach anchors the figures to what hosts have actually earned recently while naturally reflecting seasonal peaks and slower months, since each month uses its own historical performance. Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, and how well the listing 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 Buena Vista market
• Average daily rates, occupancy rates, and RevPAN metrics across property sizes
• Monthly and annual revenue trends based on trailing 12-month booking performance
• Home value data sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
• Amenity prevalence data across active listings to identify guest expectations

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. Data reflects trailing 12-month historical averages and market conditions may have shifted since the last update. Local regulations, HOA rules, and tax obligations vary and should be independently verified before making investment decisions.