California · Market rankings
Best Airbnb Investment Markets in California
California markets ranked by modelled gross yield — annual short-term rental revenue against modelled purchase price. A first screen, not a buy signal.
| # | Market | Modelled gross yield | Nightly rate | Occupancy | Peak season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anaheim, CAOrange County | 17% | $252 | 70% | Apr–May–Jun |
| 2 | San Francisco, CASan Francisco County | 17% | $292 | 70% | Apr–May–Jun |
| 3 | San Diego, CASan Diego County | 17% | $292 | 68% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 4 | Santa Monica, CALos Angeles County | 17% | $392 | 68% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 5 | Venice, CALos Angeles County | 16% | $332 | 66% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 6 | Santa Barbara, CASanta Barbara County | 16% | $412 | 66% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 7 | Carlsbad, CASan Diego County | 16% | $318 | 65% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 8 | Oceanside, CASan Diego County | 16% | $282 | 64% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 9 | Coronado, CASan Diego County | 16% | $432 | 64% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 10 | Huntington Beach, CAOrange County | 16% | $318 | 64% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 11 | Newport Beach, CAOrange County | 15% | $432 | 63% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 12 | Palm Springs, CARiverside County | 15% | $352 | 62% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 13 | Monterey, CAMonterey County | 15% | $352 | 62% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 14 | Laguna Beach, CAOrange County | 15% | $452 | 62% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 15 | Napa, CANapa County | 15% | $412 | 62% | Jul–Aug–Sep |
| 16 | Pismo Beach, CASan Luis Obispo County | 15% | $282 | 60% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 17 | South Lake Tahoe, CAEl Dorado County | 15% | $312 | 60% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 18 | Palm Desert, CARiverside County | 15% | $298 | 60% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 19 | Healdsburg, CASonoma County | 15% | $452 | 60% | Jul–Aug–Sep |
| 20 | Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAMonterey County | 15% | $452 | 60% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 21 | Sonoma, CASonoma County | 15% | $365 | 60% | Jul–Aug–Sep |
| 22 | Joshua Tree, CASan Bernardino County | 14% | $252 | 58% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 23 | Paso Robles, CASan Luis Obispo County | 14% | $298 | 58% | Jul–Aug–Sep |
| 24 | La Quinta, CARiverside County | 14% | $318 | 58% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 25 | Yosemite West, CAMariposa County | 14% | $318 | 58% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 26 | Mammoth Lakes, CAMono County | 14% | $352 | 57% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 27 | Truckee, CANevada County | 14% | $365 | 57% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 28 | Mariposa, CAMariposa County | 14% | $228 | 56% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 29 | Big Bear Lake, CASan Bernardino County | 13% | $282 | 55% | Jan–Feb–Mar |
| 30 | Groveland, CATuolumne County | 13% | $248 | 55% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
| 31 | Lake Arrowhead, CASan Bernardino County | 13% | $292 | 54% | Jun–Jul–Aug |
Gross yield is modelled revenue ÷ modelled purchase price. Purchase prices are modelled from nightly-rate benchmarks, so always re-run the math with a real asking price on the market's investment page. Operating costs are modelled at 32% of gross revenue for a nightly rental (cleaning, supplies, utilities, platform fees, maintenance, insurance) and 14% for a monthly rental. Financing assumes a 25% down payment and a 30-year loan at 7%. These are planning assumptions, not quotes — replace them with your own numbers.
Want a second opinion on your property?
Send us the address and we will tell you what we think it can do, what the local rules require, and whether co-hosting makes sense for you.