Moneta, VA Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Moneta Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Moneta, VA sits along the shores of Smith Mountain Lake, one of Virginia's premier lakefront vacation destinations, and its short-term rental market reflects that seasonal draw. With 62 active Airbnb listings generating an average annual revenue of $42,383 and an average daily rate of $298, the market commands premium nightly pricing — though occupancy at 17% trails the state average of 34%, pointing to a heavily seasonal demand pattern. An 84% year-over-year increase in active listings signals growing investor interest, but the elevated average home value of $1,085,212 means deal sourcing and property selection are critical to making the numbers work.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Moneta 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 Moneta

Moneta attracts investor attention thanks to its lakefront tourism draw and premium nightly rates, though high property prices and seasonal occupancy patterns require disciplined underwriting.

Expert Market Assessment

"Moneta presents a competitive but nuanced opportunity for STR investors. The lake-driven seasonality is pronounced — August peaks near $6,097 in average monthly revenue while January dips to just $1,277, creating a roughly 5:1 spread that investors must plan around. Larger properties, especially 4-bedroom homes, meaningfully outperform on occupancy (29%) and annual revenue ($65,091), suggesting that group-friendly lakefront homes are the strongest play here. The ROI score of 49 out of 100 reflects the tension between genuine demand growth and a below-average revenue-to-price ratio driven by elevated home values exceeding $1 million."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Moneta

Average revenue by month in Moneta

Moneta's revenue profile is sharply seasonal, with August ($6,097) and July ($5,957) delivering roughly 4–5× the revenue of the slowest month, January ($1,277). The May-through-September window accounts for the lion's share of annual earnings, so investors should build financial plans that can absorb lean winter months.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Moneta

Three-bedroom homes make up the largest share of supply with 19 listings, while 2-bedroom units are the least common at just 10 — potentially signaling a niche where demand outstrips supply. The distribution is relatively balanced overall, with 1-bedroom (16) and 4-bedroom (11) listings filling out the middle.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Moneta

ADR scales steeply with size in Moneta: 4-bedroom properties command $389 per night, more than triple the $127 rate for 1-bedroom units. The jump from 2 bedrooms ($178) to 3 bedrooms ($311) is particularly notable, suggesting a strong pricing premium once a property can accommodate larger vacation groups.

Average RevPAN by property size in Moneta

Four-bedroom listings dominate RevPAN at $114 per available night, more than double the 3-bedroom figure of $54 and nearly 7× the 1-bedroom RevPAN of $17. This stark gap underscores that larger properties convert their higher nightly rates into substantially better revenue efficiency, making them the clear top performers after accounting for occupancy.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Moneta

Occupancy rises meaningfully with property size — 4-bedroom homes average 29%, roughly double the 13–14% seen in 1- and 2-bedroom units. This pattern suggests that groups and families seeking lake getaways prefer larger homes, giving bigger properties both higher rates and more consistent booking volume.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Moneta

Monthly revenue ranges from $1,840 for 1-bedroom listings to $5,424 for 4-bedroom homes, a nearly 3× spread. Three-bedroom units at $3,502 per month sit close to the overall market average, while the jump to 4-bedroom territory adds roughly $1,900 in additional monthly income.

Average annual revenue by property size in Moneta

Four-bedroom properties lead with $65,091 in average annual revenue, outpacing 3-bedroom listings ($42,033) by over $23,000 and nearly tripling the 1-bedroom figure of $22,085. For investors weighing acquisition costs against income potential, the 3- and 4-bedroom segments offer the strongest revenue base to offset Moneta's elevated home prices.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Moneta

Parking and a full kitchen are virtually universal at 97%, followed closely by laundry (washer 90%, dryer 87%) and self check-in (86%). Notably, 79% of listings feature waterfront access and lake access (77%), confirming that proximity to the water is a baseline guest expectation — investors without lakefront positioning may struggle to compete.

Understanding Moneta's ROI Score: 49/100

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

Moneta's ROI score of 49 out of 100 places it in the "Competitive Opportunity" band — a market where real demand exists but tighter margins require more selective deal sourcing. The below-average revenue-to-price ratio is the primary drag, driven by average home values above $1 million, while occupancy stability rates as average and market growth trend scores above average, reflecting genuine momentum in traveler interest. Investors should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and target property types — particularly larger lakefront homes — where the revenue math most favorably offsets acquisition costs.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Moneta

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

Permit Requirements

Moneta falls within Bedford County, Virginia, and investors should verify whether a short-term rental permit or business license is required at the county level before listing a property. Virginia does not impose a statewide STR registration mandate, so requirements vary by locality — contacting Bedford County's planning and zoning office directly is the best starting point.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in Virginia lake communities can include occupancy limits tied to bedroom count or septic capacity, minimum-stay requirements during peak season, noise ordinances, parking caps, and HOA covenants that may limit or prohibit short-term rentals in certain subdivisions. Investors should review both county zoning rules and any homeowners association restrictions specific to the property before purchasing.

Tax Obligations

Virginia imposes a state sales tax and a transient occupancy tax on short-term lodging, and Bedford County may levy its own local lodging tax on top of that. Major platforms like Airbnb typically collect and remit state-level taxes on behalf of hosts, but investors should confirm local tax obligations and filing requirements with the county treasurer's office.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Moneta's lakefront appeal should continue driving strong summer demand, with peak months likely sustaining monthly revenues in the $5,000–$6,000 range for well-positioned listings. The above-average market growth trend suggests rising traveler interest, though the rapid 84% jump in supply could moderate ADR gains — expect nightly rates to hold roughly steady or edge up 1–3% as new inventory competes for bookings. Occupancy may face slight downward pressure from the supply influx, so investors should plan conservatively around 15–20% annualized occupancy and focus on maximizing peak-season capture. These estimates assume no material regulatory changes and continued demand for Virginia lake getaways."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Moneta, VA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Moneta?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Moneta is currently 17%, which is below the Virginia state average of 34%. This reflects the market's strong seasonal character — lakefront demand surges in summer but tapers significantly during colder months. Larger properties tend to perform better, with 4-bedroom listings averaging 29% occupancy compared to just 13–14% for 1- and 2-bedroom units.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Moneta?

On average, Airbnb hosts in Moneta earn approximately $3,531 per month and $42,383 per year based on trailing 12-month booking data. Revenue varies significantly by property size: 4-bedroom homes lead at roughly $5,424 per month ($65,091 annually), while 1-bedroom units average $1,840 per month ($22,085 annually). Peak summer months can generate $5,000–$6,000+ in a single month for the typical listing.

Is Moneta a good market for Airbnb investment?

Moneta offers a competitive opportunity with strong seasonal demand driven by Smith Mountain Lake tourism. The market's ROI score of 49 out of 100 reflects above-average growth trends but a below-average revenue-to-price ratio, given that average home values exceed $1 million. Investors who target larger lakefront properties and optimize for peak-season pricing can achieve solid returns, but the heavy seasonality and high acquisition costs mean careful deal selection is essential.

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

The average daily rate in Moneta is $298, which is slightly below the Virginia state average of $339. Rates scale meaningfully with property size — 1-bedroom listings average $127 per night, while 4-bedroom homes command $389. The premium pricing on larger, lake-access properties reflects the vacation-rental nature of this market.

Are short-term rentals legal in Moneta?

Short-term rentals operate in Moneta, which is located in Bedford County, Virginia. However, investors should verify current permit requirements, zoning rules, and any HOA restrictions that may apply to their specific property. Virginia does not have a blanket statewide STR ban, but local jurisdictions can impose their own regulations, so checking with Bedford County's planning department is strongly recommended before purchasing.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Moneta?

Peak season in Moneta runs from May through August, when average monthly revenues range from approximately $4,819 to $6,097. August is the single highest-earning month at $6,097, followed closely by July at $5,957. The off-season spans roughly November through March, with January being the slowest month at just $1,277 in average revenue.

How many Airbnbs are there in Moneta?

As of April 2026, there are 62 active Airbnb listings in Moneta. The supply is fairly distributed across property sizes, with 3-bedroom homes being the most common (19 listings), followed by 1-bedrooms (16), 4-bedrooms (11), and 2-bedrooms (10). Notably, active listings have grown 84% year over year, indicating significant new investor activity in the market.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Moneta?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Moneta 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 by market and property size
• Average daily rate, occupancy, and RevPAN metrics based on current and trailing performance
• Monthly and annual revenue averages derived from 12 months of historical booking data
• Property value benchmarks sourced from the 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 current snapshots as of the dates noted; market conditions may shift. Local regulations, HOA restrictions, and tax obligations vary and should be independently verified before investing.