Garden City, UT Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Garden City Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Garden City, UT is a highly seasonal, lake-driven vacation rental market situated on the shores of Bear Lake. With 222 active Airbnb listings averaging $323 per night but only 19% occupancy, the market generates roughly $40,932 in annual revenue per listing against average home values near $976,293. Investor interest here hinges almost entirely on the compressed summer season, which means revenue concentration and cash-flow gaps during the colder months require careful planning.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Garden City 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 Garden City

Garden City draws investor attention as a leisure-driven Bear Lake destination with premium nightly rates and outsized summer revenue, though its deep seasonality and high property prices demand careful underwriting.

Expert Market Assessment

"Garden City presents a limited-opportunity profile for most STR investors due to the stark mismatch between high property prices and modest annual revenue. The market's extreme seasonality — July and August alone account for nearly half of all annual revenue — creates significant cash-flow volatility, with eight months of the year averaging below $2,000 per listing. That said, operators who can secure a large property (5+ bedrooms) and execute a premium pricing strategy during peak summer months may find a workable niche. Thorough property-level analysis is essential here, as market-wide averages mask the gap between top performers and the rest."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Garden City

Average revenue by month in Garden City

Garden City's revenue is extremely seasonal, with July ($10,039) and August ($9,229) together generating nearly half of the average listing's annual income. The off-season from November through April averages just $1,000–$1,200 per month, creating a roughly 10x spread between peak and trough months that investors must plan around.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Garden City

The 6+ bedroom category dominates supply with 68 listings — nearly a third of the market — reflecting demand for large group and family accommodations near Bear Lake. Two-bedroom properties are the least represented at just 18 listings, which could signal either weak demand or an underserved niche worth investigating.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Garden City

ADR scales steeply with property size in Garden City, jumping from $154 for 1-bedroom units to $573 for 6+ bedroom homes. The sharpest premium step occurs between 5-bedroom ($298) and 6+ bedroom ($573) properties, suggesting that large-format homes command a significant pricing advantage in this group-oriented vacation market.

Average RevPAN by property size in Garden City

RevPAN follows a clear upward trend with size, from $17 for 2-bedroom units to $109 for 6+ bedroom properties. The gap between the top tier and smaller configurations is substantial — 6+ bedroom homes generate roughly 3x the RevPAN of 3-bedroom listings ($36), making them the strongest performers after accounting for occupancy.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Garden City

Occupancy rates are uniformly low across all property sizes, ranging from 11% for 2-bedroom units to 22% for 4-bedroom homes. This narrow band suggests that the seasonal demand pattern affects every segment, though 4-bedroom properties edge out the rest with slightly more consistent bookings.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Garden City

Monthly revenue increases steadily with bedroom count, from $1,380 for 2-bedroom units to $7,606 for 6+ bedroom homes — a 5.5x difference. Properties with 5 or more bedrooms are the only segments averaging above the market-wide monthly revenue of $3,411, underscoring the premium placed on larger accommodations.

Average annual revenue by property size in Garden City

Six-plus bedroom properties lead annual revenue at $91,277, nearly double the $48,972 earned by 5-bedroom units and over 5x the $16,564 from 2-bedroom listings. For investors targeting Garden City, the data strongly favors large-format homes as the most viable path to meaningful returns.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Garden City

Kitchens (96%), washers (96%), dryers (93%), and parking (91%) are near-universal, reflecting baseline guest expectations for a vacation-home market. Outdoor-oriented amenities like BBQ grills (78%), hot tubs (66%), and lake access (40%) are also common, signaling that competitive listings in Garden City need to deliver a full resort-style experience to stand out.

Understanding Garden City's ROI Score: 30/100

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

Garden City's ROI Score of 30 out of 100 places it in the "Limited" investment band, primarily driven by a below-average revenue-to-price ratio and below-average occupancy stability. Market growth trends also grade below average, and while supply/demand balance scores at average, the 163% year-over-year listing growth raises questions about whether demand can absorb the influx. Investors considering this market should pair the data with thorough local regulatory research and focus on property-specific underwriting to identify pockets of opportunity within an otherwise challenging landscape.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Garden City

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

Permit Requirements

Garden City, Utah may require short-term rental operators to obtain a business license or STR permit before listing a property. Investors should verify current requirements directly with the Garden City municipal offices and Rich County, as local regulations can change.

Key Restrictions

Common restriction categories in Utah resort communities include occupancy limits per bedroom, minimum stay requirements during certain seasons, noise and nuisance ordinances, and parking mandates given the rural setting. HOA and subdivision covenants are also common in lakefront developments and should be reviewed before purchasing.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental operators in Utah are generally required to collect and remit state sales tax along with any applicable transient room or tourism taxes. Many booking platforms handle tax collection automatically, but hosts should confirm their obligations with the Utah State Tax Commission and local authorities.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Garden City's STR performance will likely remain tightly tied to its June–August peak, when monthly revenues can exceed $9,000–$10,000. The 163% year-over-year growth in active listings signals rising investor interest, but this supply surge could put additional downward pressure on occupancy and rates unless summer demand grows at a comparable pace. Investors should plan for ADR to remain in the $300–$340 range and overall occupancy to stay below 25%, making it essential to pencil returns using conservative off-season assumptions."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Garden City, UT

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Garden City?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Garden City is currently 19%, which sits well below the Utah state average of 42%. This reflects the market's highly seasonal nature — most bookings are concentrated in the summer months around Bear Lake, with minimal demand during winter and shoulder seasons. Occupancy varies by property size, with 4-bedroom units performing best at 22% and 2-bedroom listings trailing at 11%.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Garden City?

Based on trailing 12-month historical data, the average Airbnb host in Garden City earns approximately $40,932 per year, or about $3,411 per month. However, revenue is heavily skewed toward summer, with July averaging $10,039 and November dipping to just $957. Larger properties significantly outperform — 6+ bedroom listings average $91,277 annually, while 1-bedroom units earn roughly $19,872.

Is Garden City a good market for Airbnb investment?

Garden City carries a Rabbu ROI Score of 30 out of 100, reflecting limited investment potential at the market level. The primary challenges include a below-average revenue-to-price ratio (average home values near $976,293 vs. annual revenue of $40,932), low year-round occupancy, and a compressed earning season. Investors who target premium large-format homes and optimize for peak summer pricing may still find viable opportunities, but deeper property-specific analysis is strongly recommended.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Garden City?

The average daily rate in Garden City is $323, which is below the Utah state average of $494. ADR scales significantly with property size — 1-bedroom units average $154 per night, while 6+ bedroom homes command $573 per night. This premium for larger properties reflects the family and group-trip demand typical of a lakeside vacation destination.

Are short-term rentals legal in Garden City?

Short-term rentals do operate in Garden City, UT, with 222 active Airbnb listings currently in the market. However, local regulations may require permits, business licenses, or compliance with specific zoning rules. Investors should verify current requirements with Garden City officials and review any HOA or subdivision restrictions before purchasing a property.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Garden City?

Peak season in Garden City runs from June through August, driven by Bear Lake's summer recreation appeal. July is the strongest month with average revenue of $10,039 per listing, followed closely by August at $9,229 and June at $6,862. Revenue drops sharply in the shoulder months — September averages $3,762, while the November-through-April stretch sees listings averaging roughly $1,000–$1,200 per month.

How many Airbnbs are there in Garden City?

Garden City currently has 222 active Airbnb listings. The supply is skewed toward larger properties, with 6+ bedroom homes making up the largest segment at 68 listings. Three-bedroom (39) and 4-bedroom (38) units are also well represented. Notably, active listings have grown 163% year-over-year, indicating a rapid increase in STR supply.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Garden City?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Garden City 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. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, remove regional outliers, and roll the results 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 operational management.

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 Garden City and surrounding areas
• Average daily rate, occupancy, and RevPAN trends across property sizes
• Monthly and annual revenue estimates based on trailing 12-month booking data
• Property value benchmarks sourced from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
• Amenity prevalence data across active listings to inform competitive positioning

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 averages and may not capture very recent market shifts or regulatory changes. Local regulations, HOA rules, and permit requirements should be independently verified before making any investment decision.