The average Essex short let takes about £25,000 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's Essex market data, based on 12-month averages to September 2026. Larger homes earn far more: the average 4+ bedroom listing takes £47,300. Here's what Essex short lets earn by size, and how that compares with renting to a tenant.
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Key takeaways
- The average Essex short let takes about £25,000 a year in bookings.
- Listings are booked on about 44% of nights, at an average of £153 a night.
- 4+ bedroom homes average about £47,300 a year in bookings.
- Averaging the ONS figures across Essex's 14 council areas, rent comes to about £1,356 a month, with the tenant paying bills.
- Compare what's left after every cost, not the headline figures.
Contents
What does the average Essex short let earn?
BNBCalc's figures for the 12 months to September 2026:
- Average bookings of about £25,000 a year per listing, up 12% on the year before.
- Listings booked on about 44% of available nights, down 3%.
- An average nightly rate of £153, up 21%.
- Guests booking about 29 days ahead.
What do Essex short lets earn by size?
| Size | Bookings a year | About a month | Average cleaning fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | £10,500 | £880 | £29 |
| 1 bedroom | £16,800 | £1,400 | £40 |
| 2 bedrooms | £26,200 | £2,180 | £69 |
| 3 bedrooms | £31,400 | £2,620 | £82 |
| 4+ bedrooms | £47,300 | £3,940 | £168 |
These are booking figures before platform fees, management and running costs. Source: BNBCalc Essex market data.
How does that compare with renting to a tenant?
The ONS doesn't publish a single rent figure for Essex, only one for each council area. So we've averaged the ONS figures for August 2026 across Essex's 14 council areas, including Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. The result is about £1,356 a month, ranging from £1,053 in Tendring to £1,844 in Epping Forest. Each area counts equally, whatever its number of rented homes, so treat it as a guide rather than an official figure. By size, on the same basis, the average is £942 for one bedroom, two bedrooms £1,204, three bedrooms £1,464, and four or more bedrooms £2,078.
The gap looks biggest for larger homes: a 4+ bedroom short let averages about £3,940 a month in bookings, against about £2,078 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 Essex different?
Essex bucked the trend this year. Average bookings per listing rose 12%, and the average nightly rate rose 21%, while most cities we cover saw bookings fall. About a third of Essex listings are run by independent hosts, and guests stay around five nights on average, longer than in most cities we cover. Council tax is set by your district council, not the county. Read Essex council tax and costs.
What drives Essex bookings?
Essex follows two calendars: the coast fills in summer, at weekends and in school holidays, while inland towns fill midweek with business guests and contractors. Airports and universities add steady demand. Read our Essex events calendar.
Who runs Essex short lets?
Most are professionally run. BNBCalc's data shows Professionally managed (68%) of Essex listings, with the rest run by independent hosts. Airbnb carries most listings, at 84%, with 13% on Vrbo and 2% on Booking.com.
What do guests pay more for?
BNBCalc compares what listings earn with and without certain features. In Essex, listings with a barbecue earned about 48% more, and listings that allow pets about 27% 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 Essex 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 Essex?
The average Essex short let takes about £25,000 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's 12-month averages to September 2026.
What occupancy do Essex short lets get?
About 44% of available nights, at an average of £153 a night.
How much does a 2-bed short let earn in Essex?
About £26,200 a year in bookings, or roughly £2,180 a month, before fees and costs.
Is a short let better than renting in Essex?
Often, for larger homes, but compare what's left after costs. Averaging the ONS figures across Essex's 14 council areas, rent comes to about £1,356 a month.
Which platforms do Essex hosts use?
Mostly Airbnb, with 84% of listings, followed by Vrbo at 13% and Booking.com at 2%.
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.