The average Oxford short let takes about £33,000 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's Oxford market data, based on 12-month averages to September 2026. Larger homes earn far more: the average 4+ bedroom listing takes £59,900. Here's what Oxford short lets earn by size, and how that compares with renting to a tenant.
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Key takeaways
- The average Oxford short let takes about £33,000 a year in bookings.
- Listings are booked on about 48% of nights, at an average of £177 a night.
- 4+ bedroom homes average about £59,900 a year in bookings.
- The ONS average Oxford rent is £1,963 a month, with the tenant paying bills.
- Compare what's left after every cost, not the headline figures.
Contents
- What does the average Oxford short let earn?
- What do Oxford short lets earn by size?
- How does that compare with renting to a tenant?
- Why is the gap with renting narrower in Oxford?
- What drives Oxford bookings?
- Who runs Oxford short lets?
- What do guests pay more for?
- Check the numbers for your home
- Frequently asked questions
What does the average Oxford short let earn?
BNBCalc's figures for the 12 months to September 2026:
- Average bookings of about £33,000 a year per listing, down 1% on the year before.
- Listings booked on about 48% of available nights, down 7%.
- An average nightly rate of £177, up 14%.
- Guests booking about 35 days ahead.
What do Oxford short lets earn by size?
| Size | Bookings a year | About a month | Average cleaning fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | £11,100 | £920 | £33 |
| 1 bedroom | £22,300 | £1,860 | £48 |
| 2 bedrooms | £33,500 | £2,790 | £82 |
| 3 bedrooms | £43,500 | £3,620 | £113 |
| 4+ bedrooms | £59,900 | £4,990 | £143 |
These are booking figures before platform fees, management and running costs. Source: BNBCalc Oxford market data.
How does that compare with renting to a tenant?
The ONS puts the average Oxford private rent at £1,963 a month in August 2026. By size, the ONS gives £1,351 for one bedroom, two bedrooms £1,667, three bedrooms £2,034, and four or more bedrooms £2,858.
The gap looks biggest for larger homes: a 4+ bedroom short let averages about £4,990 a month in bookings, against about £2,858 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.
Why is the gap with renting narrower in Oxford?
Oxford has the highest average rent of any council area in England outside London, at £1,963 a month according to the ONS. A 1-bedroom short let averages about £1,860 a month in bookings, against an average 1-bedroom rent of £1,351, so after short-let costs the difference can be small. Larger homes show a clearer gap: a 4+ bedroom short let averages about £4,990 a month in bookings, against £2,858 in rent.
Oxford's council also watches short lets closely. Moving a holiday let onto business rates ends household bin collections, and business rates data can flag a home for a planning check. Read Airbnb rules in Oxford and Oxford council tax and costs before you decide.
What drives Oxford bookings?
Oxford's most valuable nights are university graduations, followed by open days, term starts and ends, and summer tourists from around the world. Read our Oxford events calendar.
Who runs Oxford short lets?
Most are professionally run. BNBCalc's data shows Professionally managed (76%) of Oxford listings, with the rest run by independent hosts. Airbnb carries most listings, at 76%, with 21% on Vrbo and 3% on Booking.com.
What do guests pay more for?
BNBCalc compares what listings earn with and without certain features. In Oxford, listings with a washing machine earned about 42% more, listings with a barbecue about 39% more, and listings that allow pets about 37% 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 Oxford 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 Oxford?
The average Oxford short let takes about £33,000 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's 12-month averages to September 2026.
What occupancy do Oxford short lets get?
About 48% of available nights, at an average of £177 a night.
How much does a 2-bed short let earn in Oxford?
About £33,500 a year in bookings, or roughly £2,790 a month, before fees and costs.
Is a short let better than renting in Oxford?
Often, for larger homes, but compare what's left after costs. The ONS average Oxford rent is £1,963 a month.
Which platforms do Oxford hosts use?
Mostly Airbnb, with 76% of listings, followed by Vrbo at 21% and Booking.com at 3%.
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.