The average Chester short let takes about £28,200 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's Chester market data, based on 12-month averages to September 2026. Larger homes earn far more: the average 4+ bedroom listing takes £47,100. Here's what Chester short lets earn by size, and how that compares with renting to a tenant.
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Key takeaways
- The average Chester short let takes about £28,200 a year in bookings.
- Listings are booked on about 48% of nights, at an average of £149 a night.
- 4+ bedroom homes average about £47,100 a year in bookings.
- The ONS average Cheshire West and Chester rent is £991 a month, with the tenant paying bills.
- Compare what's left after every cost, not the headline figures.
Contents
What does the average Chester short let earn?
BNBCalc's figures for the 12 months to September 2026:
- Average bookings of about £28,200 a year per listing, down 2% on the year before.
- Listings booked on about 48% of available nights, down 9%.
- An average nightly rate of £149, up 16%.
- Guests booking about 34 days ahead.
What do Chester short lets earn by size?
| Size | Bookings a year | About a month | Average cleaning fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | £7,100 | £590 | £42 |
| 1 bedroom | £18,300 | £1,520 | £45 |
| 2 bedrooms | £27,500 | £2,290 | £63 |
| 3 bedrooms | £35,400 | £2,950 | £78 |
| 4+ bedrooms | £47,100 | £3,920 | £90 |
These are booking figures before platform fees, management and running costs. Source: BNBCalc Chester market data.
How does that compare with renting to a tenant?
The ONS puts the average Cheshire West and Chester private rent at £991 a month in August 2026. By size, the ONS gives £725 for one bedroom, two bedrooms £914, three bedrooms £1,121, and four or more bedrooms £1,612.
The gap looks biggest for larger homes: a 4+ bedroom short let averages about £3,920 a month in bookings, against about £1,612 in rent. But the honest comparison is what's left after costs. With a tenant, they pay the bills. With a short let, you pay management, cleaning, bills, council tax and insurance. Our short-let vs long-let calculator does the sum for your home.
How is Chester different?
Chester relies less on Airbnb than most cities we cover: 70% of listings are on Airbnb, with 22% on Vrbo and 8% on Booking.com. The nightly rate rose 16% this year, even as the share of nights booked fell 9%. Much of Chester's demand comes from race days, and homes inside the city walls can be old or listed, so check what consent you need before any work. Read Airbnb rules in Chester.
What drives Chester bookings?
Chester's short-let calendar is built around its racecourse, from the May Festival through summer race days, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays. Christmas and visitors to the walls, the Rows and the zoo fill weekends all year. Read our Chester events calendar.
Who runs Chester short lets?
Most are professionally run. BNBCalc's data shows Professionally managed (75%) of Chester listings, with the rest run by independent hosts. Airbnb carries most listings, at 70%, with 22% on Vrbo and 8% on Booking.com.
What do guests pay more for?
BNBCalc compares what listings earn with and without certain features. In Chester, listings with a hot tub earned about 50% more, and listings with a barbecue about 20% more. Bigger homes are more likely to have these features, so part of the difference comes from size, not the feature alone.
Check the numbers for your home
Our Chester short-let management team will show you likely earnings after fees, based on homes like yours. Get your free valuation and see whether the numbers work for your home.
Frequently asked questions
How much can you earn on Airbnb in Chester?
The average Chester short let takes about £28,200 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's 12-month averages to September 2026.
What occupancy do Chester short lets get?
About 48% of available nights, at an average of £149 a night.
How much does a 2-bed short let earn in Chester?
About £27,500 a year in bookings, or roughly £2,290 a month, before fees and costs.
Is a short let better than renting in Chester?
Often, for larger homes, but compare what's left after costs. The ONS average Cheshire West and Chester rent is £991 a month.
Which platforms do Chester hosts use?
Mostly Airbnb, with 70% of listings, followed by Vrbo at 22% and Booking.com at 8%.
Related guides
Sources
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. It is our own interpretation of the rules and figures as they stand on the date shown above, and they can change. Speak to a qualified solicitor or accountant before you act on anything here.