Leicester, NC Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Leicester Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Leicester, NC sits in the western North Carolina mountains near Asheville, drawing visitors with scenic landscapes and proximity to outdoor recreation. With 71 active Airbnb listings and an average annual revenue of $37,778, the market offers moderate earning potential, though its 30% occupancy rate trails the state average of 34%. Investors willing to be selective on deal sourcing — particularly targeting larger properties — can find compelling revenue opportunities in this competitive landscape.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Leicester 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 Leicester

Leicester attracts investor attention because of its mountain-tourism demand base and the outsized revenue potential of larger properties near a popular Western NC destination.

Expert Market Assessment

"Leicester presents a competitive opportunity where selective deal-finding matters more than in less saturated markets. Seasonality is pronounced — July ($4,182) and October ($4,016) are the strongest months, while January and February dip below $1,750, creating a revenue swing of roughly 2.4x between peaks and troughs. The market's average occupancy of 30% and below-average supply/demand balance mean not every property will perform equally, but well-positioned larger homes with appealing amenities can significantly outperform the median. Investors who target 3+ bedroom properties and optimize for peak-season pricing stand to capture the best returns."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Leicester

Average revenue by month in Leicester

Leicester's revenue peaks in July at $4,182 and October at $4,016, with a deep winter trough in January ($1,691) and February ($1,721) — a spread of nearly $2,500 between highs and lows. This seasonality pattern reflects the area's strong summer and fall tourism appeal, and investors should plan for roughly four months of below-average revenue during the winter.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Leicester

Three-bedroom properties dominate Leicester's supply with 22 listings, while 4-bedroom (9) and 6+ bedroom (8) units are considerably less common. The relative scarcity of larger properties, combined with their much higher revenue potential, could represent an opportunity for investors willing to acquire bigger homes in this market.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Leicester

ADR climbs steeply with bedroom count in Leicester, from $110 for 1-bedroom units all the way to $474 for 6+ bedroom properties — more than a 4x increase. The jump from 3 bedrooms ($240) to 4 bedrooms ($357) is particularly notable, suggesting guests place a strong premium on space and group-friendly accommodations.

Average RevPAN by property size in Leicester

Revenue per available night is highest for 6+ bedroom properties at $104, followed by 3-bedroom units at $77, with 4-bedroom listings slightly lower at $69 due to their lower occupancy rates. This makes 3-bedroom and 6+ bedroom configurations the most efficient earners on a per-night basis when both rate and occupancy are considered.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Leicester

Smaller properties fill more consistently, with 1- and 2-bedroom units both averaging 36% occupancy, while 4-bedroom properties lag at just 19%. Investors targeting larger homes should expect to rely on higher nightly rates rather than booking volume to drive returns.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Leicester

Monthly revenue scales dramatically with size — 6+ bedroom properties earn $8,521 per month on average, roughly six times the $1,384 generated by 1-bedroom units. Even 3-bedroom listings at $3,471 per month meaningfully outperform smaller configurations, making mid-to-large properties the primary revenue drivers in Leicester.

Average annual revenue by property size in Leicester

At $102,254 annually, 6+ bedroom properties in Leicester deliver the highest return potential, followed by 4-bedroom homes at $72,212. By contrast, 1- and 2-bedroom units generate $16,614 and $19,350 respectively, underscoring that investors seeking meaningful STR income in this market should prioritize larger property configurations.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Leicester

Parking (99%) and kitchens (97%) are near-universal, while outdoor-focused amenities like backyards (80%), outdoor furniture (82%), and BBQ grills (75%) reflect guest expectations in this mountain market. Hot tubs appear in 48% of listings — common enough to be expected by many guests but not yet so ubiquitous that adding one won't help a property stand out.

Understanding Leicester's ROI Score: 53/100

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

Leicester's ROI Score of 53 out of 100 places it in the "Competitive Opportunity" band, meaning the market has real demand but requires careful deal selection to achieve strong returns. Revenue-to-price ratio and occupancy stability both rate as average, while the supply/demand balance scores below average — a signal that the 104% year-over-year growth in listings is creating more competition for bookings. Pairing this data with thorough local regulatory research and targeting underserved property sizes can help investors find pockets of outperformance.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Leicester

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

Permit Requirements

Short-term rental operators in Leicester and Buncombe County, North Carolina may be required to obtain permits or register their property with local authorities. Investors should verify current STR permit requirements directly with Buncombe County and the state of North Carolina before listing.

Key Restrictions

Common STR restrictions in similar North Carolina markets include occupancy limits, noise ordinances, parking requirements, and minimum-stay rules. HOA covenants can also restrict or prohibit short-term rentals in certain neighborhoods, so reviewing any applicable deed restrictions is essential before purchasing.

Tax Obligations

North Carolina imposes state and local occupancy taxes on short-term rentals, and Buncombe County collects its own room occupancy tax as well. Major booking platforms often handle tax collection and remittance, but hosts should confirm their obligations with a local tax professional to ensure full compliance.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Leicester's STR market is expected to maintain steady seasonal demand, with peak months in July and October likely continuing to drive the strongest returns. ADR may see modest increases in the 1–3% range as the area's appeal to mountain vacationers holds, though occupancy could remain in the 28–32% range given the below-average supply/demand balance. Investors should plan for meaningful revenue dips in January and February, when monthly earnings historically drop below $1,800, and budget accordingly for slower winter months."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Leicester, NC

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Leicester?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Leicester, NC is currently 30%, which runs slightly below the North Carolina state average of 34%. Occupancy varies significantly by property size — 1- and 2-bedroom units average 36%, while 4-bedroom properties sit at 19%. Smaller units tend to stay booked more consistently, though larger properties compensate with higher nightly rates and overall revenue.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Leicester?

On average, Airbnb hosts in Leicester earn approximately $3,148 per month and $37,778 per year based on trailing 12-month booking data. Earnings vary widely by property size: 1-bedroom listings average around $16,614 annually, while 6+ bedroom properties bring in roughly $102,254. Peak months like July and October can push monthly revenue above $4,000 for many hosts.

Is Leicester a good market for Airbnb investment?

Leicester scores a 53 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the "Competitive Opportunity" category. The market benefits from strong leisure demand tied to western North Carolina's mountain tourism, and larger properties can generate impressive annual revenue. However, average occupancy sits below the state average, and the supply/demand balance is rated below average, so investors should be particularly selective about property type and pricing strategy to achieve strong returns.

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

The average daily rate for Airbnb listings in Leicester is $234, which is below the North Carolina state average of $262. ADR scales significantly with property size — 1-bedroom units average $110 per night, while 6+ bedroom properties command $474. This spread highlights the premium guests are willing to pay for larger mountain retreats in the area.

Are short-term rentals legal in Leicester?

Short-term rentals are generally permitted in Leicester and the surrounding Buncombe County area, though operators may need to obtain local permits or registrations. Regulations can change, so investors should verify current requirements with Buncombe County and the state of North Carolina. It's also important to check for any HOA restrictions on the specific property you're considering.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Leicester?

Peak season in Leicester runs primarily during the summer and fall months. July leads with an average monthly revenue of $4,182, followed closely by October at $4,016 — likely driven by fall foliage tourism. The slowest months are January ($1,691) and February ($1,721), creating a pronounced seasonal pattern that investors should factor into their cash-flow planning.

How many Airbnbs are there in Leicester?

Leicester currently has 71 active Airbnb listings. The supply is concentrated in 3-bedroom properties (22 listings), followed by 1-bedroom (14) and 2-bedroom (13) units. Year-over-year listing growth has reached 104%, indicating that investor interest in this market is accelerating quickly.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Leicester?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Leicester 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 remaining data 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 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 benchmarks from the Zillow Home Value Index for investment analysis
• Amenity prevalence data showing guest expectations 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. Local regulations, HOA rules, and tax obligations vary and should be independently verified before investing.