Knoxville, TN Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Knoxville Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Knoxville's short-term rental market presents a compelling opportunity for investors drawn to Tennessee's tourism corridor, with 586 active Airbnb listings generating an average annual revenue of $25,072. The market's occupancy rate of 31% edges above the state average of 29%, while its $175 ADR comes in well below the $309 state average — signaling room for strategic pricing gains. With an ROI score of 56 out of 100 and above-average occupancy stability, Knoxville rewards investors who target the right property size and operational approach.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Knoxville 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 Knoxville

Knoxville attracts STR investors with its blend of university-driven demand, proximity to the Smoky Mountains, and property prices that keep the revenue-to-cost ratio competitive for a Tennessee market.

Expert Market Assessment

"Knoxville earns an "Attractive Opportunity" designation, driven primarily by its above-average occupancy stability and balanced supply-demand dynamics. The market does show pronounced seasonality — monthly revenue ranges from a low of $1,202 in January to a peak of $2,653 in July, roughly a 2.2x spread — which means investors need to budget for softer winter months. Larger properties punch well above their weight: 4-bedroom units generate nearly $46,000 annually while 6+ bedroom homes approach $97,700, creating a clear incentive to go bigger if the acquisition math works. Overall, this is a market that rewards careful property selection and realistic expectations more than speculative bets on rapid appreciation."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Knoxville

Average revenue by month in Knoxville

Knoxville's revenue cycle shows clear seasonality, peaking in July at $2,653 and bottoming out in January at $1,202 — a spread of over $1,400 between the best and worst months. A secondary bump in October ($2,430) reflects fall tourism and football season, giving investors two distinct windows of elevated earnings each year.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Knoxville

One-bedroom listings dominate Knoxville's supply with 199 units, followed by 2-bedrooms (157) and 3-bedrooms (136), while 4+ bedroom properties total just 74 listings combined. The relatively thin supply of larger homes — especially 5-bedroom (15) and 6+ bedroom (7) units — may signal a competitive opportunity for investors willing to acquire bigger properties.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Knoxville

ADR climbs steeply with size in Knoxville, from $102 for 1-bedroom listings to $316 for 4-bedrooms and $436 for 6+ bedroom properties. The jump from 3-bedroom ($220) to 4-bedroom ($316) represents the steepest absolute increase, suggesting the premium for group-friendly accommodations is particularly strong in this market.

Average RevPAN by property size in Knoxville

Revenue per available night tells a clear story: 6+ bedroom properties lead at $160 RevPAN, nearly five times the $34 generated by studios and 1-bedroom units. The 4-bedroom ($103) and 5-bedroom ($114) categories also deliver meaningfully higher RevPAN than mid-size listings, reinforcing the income advantage of larger properties even after accounting for occupancy.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Knoxville

Occupancy rates across property sizes in Knoxville are relatively compressed, ranging from 28% for 3-bedroom and 5-bedroom units to 37% for 6+ bedroom homes. Studios (33%) and 1-bedrooms (34%) hold steady mid-range occupancy, while the top-performing 6+ bedroom segment fills at the highest rate — an unusual pattern that suggests strong demand for large group-friendly accommodations.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Knoxville

Monthly revenue scales dramatically with size: 1-bedroom listings earn $1,386 on average, while 4-bedroom properties generate $3,826 and 6+ bedroom homes reach $8,141 per month. The gap between smaller and larger units underscores that investors targeting higher cash flow in Knoxville will find the math increasingly favorable as bedroom count rises.

Average annual revenue by property size in Knoxville

On an annual basis, 6+ bedroom properties stand out at $97,699 in average revenue — nearly four times the $25,072 market-wide average and six times the $16,632 earned by 1-bedroom listings. Even moving from a 3-bedroom ($31,101) to a 4-bedroom ($45,920) represents a 48% revenue jump, making the step up to larger configurations one of the clearest levers for improving returns in Knoxville.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Knoxville

Parking (95%) and kitchen access (94%) are near-universal in Knoxville's STR market, while self check-in (89%) and laundry (80–82%) round out the baseline expectations guests have. Differentiators like hot tubs (8%), pools (5%), and pet-friendliness (36%) are far less common, which means adding these features could meaningfully improve a listing's visibility and booking potential.

Understanding Knoxville's ROI Score: 56/100

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

Knoxville's ROI score of 56 out of 100 places it in the "Attractive Opportunity" band, reflecting a market where healthy demand and reasonable property valuations create a viable investment case. The score is buoyed by above-average occupancy stability and average marks for both revenue-to-price ratio and supply/demand balance, though a below-average market growth trend — likely influenced by the sharp 145% year-over-year increase in listings — tempers the overall outlook. Investors should pair these data-driven insights with thorough local regulatory research and property-level analysis to confirm that Knoxville aligns with their return targets.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Knoxville

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

Permit Requirements

The City of Knoxville and the State of Tennessee may require short-term rental operators to obtain a permit or register their property before listing it. Investors should verify current STR permit requirements directly with Knoxville's planning and codes department, as local rules can change and may vary by zone or property type.

Key Restrictions

Common STR restrictions in markets like Knoxville can include occupancy limits, minimum stay requirements, noise ordinances, parking mandates, and permit caps in certain neighborhoods. HOA rules may impose additional limitations on short-term rental activity, so it's important to review any covenants or association bylaws before purchasing an investment property.

Tax Obligations

Tennessee typically requires short-term rental operators to collect and remit state sales tax and local occupancy taxes, though platforms like Airbnb often handle a portion of this collection automatically. Investors should confirm their specific obligations with the Tennessee Department of Revenue and Knox County's tax office to ensure full compliance.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Knoxville's STR market is expected to benefit from steady seasonal demand patterns that peak from June through August and again in October during fall football and leaf-peeping season. ADR growth may be modest — likely in the 1–3% range — given the market's below-average growth trend, but above-average occupancy stability should help protect cash flow. Investors entering now can expect average occupancy to hover around 29–33%, with larger properties continuing to capture outsized revenue. We anticipate supply growth will moderate after the 145% year-over-year listing increase, which should help rebalance supply and demand over time."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Knoxville, TN

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Knoxville?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Knoxville is currently 31%, which slightly outperforms the Tennessee state average of 29%. Occupancy varies by property size, ranging from 28% for 3-bedroom and 5-bedroom units up to 37% for 6+ bedroom properties. Studios and 1-bedroom listings tend to fill at 33–34%, making them among the steadier performers by this measure.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Knoxville?

Airbnb hosts in Knoxville earn an average of $2,089 per month, which translates to roughly $25,072 in annual revenue based on trailing 12-month booking data. Revenue scales significantly with property size — 1-bedroom listings average about $16,632 annually, while 4-bedroom properties bring in approximately $45,920 and 6+ bedroom homes can reach $97,699 per year. Individual results depend on factors like location, pricing strategy, guest reviews, and amenities offered.

Is Knoxville a good market for Airbnb investment?

Knoxville carries a Rabbu ROI Score of 56 out of 100, earning an "Attractive Opportunity" designation. The market benefits from above-average occupancy stability and a balanced supply-demand environment, though its market growth trend is currently below average due to a significant 145% year-over-year increase in active listings. Investors who target larger properties and manage seasonal fluctuations effectively can find solid returns here, particularly given the market's tourism proximity and university-driven demand.

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

The average daily rate for Airbnb listings in Knoxville is $175, which is notably lower than the Tennessee state average of $309. ADR varies substantially by property size: studios and 1-bedroom units average $102–$105 per night, while 4-bedroom properties command $316 and 6+ bedroom homes reach $436 per night. This pricing structure creates meaningful revenue premiums for investors willing to operate larger properties.

Are short-term rentals legal in Knoxville?

Short-term rentals do operate in Knoxville, with 586 active Airbnb listings currently in the market. However, local permit requirements, zoning restrictions, and tax obligations may apply, and regulations can change over time. Prospective investors should verify the current rules with the City of Knoxville's planning department and the State of Tennessee before purchasing a property for STR use.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Knoxville?

Peak season for Airbnb in Knoxville runs from June through August, with July topping the charts at $2,653 in average monthly revenue. October also delivers strong performance at $2,430, driven by fall tourism and university football season. The slowest months are January ($1,202) and February ($1,265), creating a seasonal spread where summer revenue is roughly double what hosts earn in winter.

How many Airbnbs are there in Knoxville?

Knoxville currently has 586 active Airbnb listings as of April 2026. The supply is concentrated in smaller properties — 1-bedroom units lead with 199 listings, followed by 2-bedrooms (157) and 3-bedrooms (136). Larger properties with 4+ bedrooms make up a smaller share of the market, with just 74 listings combined across 4-bedroom, 5-bedroom, and 6+ bedroom categories.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Knoxville?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Knoxville 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 (like summer and fall) and slower months (like winter) because each month draws on its own historical performance. Individual results can vary meaningfully based on property quality, location, 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 by market and property size
• Occupancy rates, average daily rates, and RevPAN trends across bedroom configurations
• Monthly and annual revenue metrics based on trailing 12-month historical booking data
• Home value estimates sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
• Amenity prevalence data showing the most common features across active listings

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 may not capture very recent market shifts or regulatory changes. Individual investment results vary based on property location, condition, management quality, and local regulations. Always consult local authorities and professional advisors before making investment decisions.