The average York short let takes about £31,900 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's York market data, based on 12-month averages to September 2026. Larger homes earn far more: the average 4+ bedroom listing takes £54,900. Here's what York short lets earn by size, and how that compares with renting to a tenant.
What could your home earn?
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Key takeaways
- The average York short let takes about £31,900 a year in bookings.
- Listings are booked on about 45% of nights, at an average of £167 a night.
- 4+ bedroom homes average about £54,900 a year in bookings.
- The ONS average York rent is £1,199 a month, with the tenant paying bills.
- Compare what's left after every cost, not the headline figures.
Contents
- What does the average York short let earn?
- What do York short lets earn by size?
- How does that compare with renting to a tenant?
- What should you check before listing in York?
- What drives York bookings?
- Which platforms do York hosts use?
- What do guests pay more for?
- Check the numbers for your home
- Frequently asked questions
What does the average York short let earn?
BNBCalc's figures for the 12 months to September 2026:
- Average bookings of about £31,900 a year per listing, down 4% on the year before.
- Listings booked on about 45% of available nights, down 8%.
- An average nightly rate of £167, up 12%.
- Guests booking about 44 days ahead.
What do York short lets earn by size?
| Size | Bookings a year | About a month | Average cleaning fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | £10,300 | £860 | £29 |
| 1 bedroom | £23,200 | £1,930 | £44 |
| 2 bedrooms | £31,500 | £2,620 | £66 |
| 3 bedrooms | £42,400 | £3,530 | £80 |
| 4+ bedrooms | £54,900 | £4,580 | £153 |
These are booking figures before platform fees, management and running costs. Source: BNBCalc York market data.
How does that compare with renting to a tenant?
The ONS puts the average York private rent at £1,199 a month in August 2026. By size, the ONS gives £875 for one bedroom, two bedrooms £1,082, three bedrooms £1,279, and four or more bedrooms £1,747.
The gap looks biggest for larger homes: a 4+ bedroom short let averages about £4,580 a month in bookings, against about £1,747 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.
What should you check before listing in York?
York has no licence or night cap, but the council's own guidance is stricter than many owners expect. Check planning before you take bookings, and note that holiday lets are banned outright in former council flats. Guests' rubbish also counts as commercial waste, so it can't go in the household bins. Read Airbnb rules in York and holiday let waste in York.
What drives York bookings?
York's biggest weeks are the Christmas Market, which brings over a million visitors, and the race meetings on the Knavesmire from May to October, with the Viking festival in February. Read our York events calendar.
Which platforms do York hosts use?
York is less dependent on Airbnb than most cities. BNBCalc's data shows 60% of York listings on Airbnb, with 26% on Vrbo and 14% on Booking.com.
What do guests pay more for?
BNBCalc compares what listings earn with and without certain features. In York, listings with a hot tub earned about 41% more, and listings with a barbecue about 29% 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 York 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 York?
The average York short let takes about £31,900 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's 12-month averages to September 2026.
What occupancy do York short lets get?
About 45% of available nights, at an average of £167 a night.
How much does a 2-bed short let earn in York?
About £31,500 a year in bookings, or roughly £2,620 a month, before fees and costs.
Is a short let better than renting in York?
Often, for larger homes, but compare what's left after costs. The ONS average York rent is £1,199 a month.
Which platforms do York hosts use?
Mostly Airbnb, with 60% of listings, followed by Vrbo at 26% and Booking.com at 14%.
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.