Cozy 2 Bedroom Apartment Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.94 - Revenue
- KES 914,024
- Occupancy
- 63.4%
- Daily rate
- KES 5,742
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to September 2026
The average Airbnb in Ruaka brought in KES 187,990 over the 12 months through September 2026, about 14% less than the Kiambu County average of KES 218,357.
The short answer
Ruaka is priced below the Kiambu County average. Listings averaged KES 3,815 a night, about 10% less than that average of KES 4,250, and were booked on 31% of available nights, close to its 31% occupancy.
Timing matters: in June, the best month, the average listing earned about 2.5 times as much as in February, the slowest.
With 73 active listings, Ruaka is the largest of 3 Kiambu County markets AirROI tracks.
Browse the live Ruaka Airbnb market See Every Ruaka ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Ruaka listing averaged KES 187,990 over the 12 months to September 2026 (Kiambu County average: KES 218,357), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
The average Ruaka listing brought in KES 56,300 in June, its best month, and KES 22,800 in February, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 33% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 4.3 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
June earned about 2.5 times what February did
Average revenue per active listing, by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 40,800.
Latest 12 months in the September 2026 data. September's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to August.
June 2026 led on revenue and bookings; nightly rates peaked in August 2026.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | KES 34,346 | 37.2% | KES 3,663 | KES 1,145 | 13 days | 4.2 nights |
| Oct 2025 | KES 32,304 | 33.5% | KES 3,662 | KES 1,042 | 14 days | 13.6 nights |
| Nov 2025 | KES 51,325 | 37.8% | KES 3,635 | KES 1,711 | 27 days | 8.8 nights |
| Dec 2025 | KES 50,689 | 42.6% | KES 3,672 | KES 1,635 | 5 days | 8 nights |
| Jan 2026 | KES 34,738 | 28.5% | KES 3,551 | KES 1,121 | 12 days | 6.7 nights |
| Feb 2026 | KES 22,768 | 24.1% | KES 3,469 | KES 813 | 11 days | 9.3 nights |
| Mar 2026 | KES 35,668 | 27.3% | KES 3,600 | KES 1,151 | 5 days | 5.9 nights |
| Apr 2026 | KES 33,292 | 28.4% | KES 3,660 | KES 1,110 | 8 days | 6.9 nights |
| May 2026 | KES 40,543 | 32.6% | KES 4,167 | KES 1,308 | 9 days | 8.5 nights |
| Jun 2026 | KES 56,302 | 44.9% | KES 4,244 | KES 1,877 | 10 days | 10 nights |
| Jul 2026 | KES 52,134 | 36.6% | KES 4,343 | KES 1,682 | 8 days | 10.2 nights |
| Aug 2026 | KES 45,000 | 31.9% | KES 4,346 | KES 1,452 | 27 days | 5.4 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
For a figure on one home rather than the whole Ruaka market, enter its address and size in the Airbnb calculator, which compares it with similar listings nearby.
Profit
Yes, as extra income from a home or room you already have. The average Ruaka Airbnb took in KES 187,990 in the 12 months to September 2026, counting listings open only part of the year, and a listing in the top quarter, run by its owner at everyday costs, keeps about KES 21,000 a month after running costs.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any building or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | KES 184,990 | KES 330,000 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay2% of Ruaka bookings | KES 3,000 | KES 5,400 |
| Gross bookings | KES 187,990 | KES 335,400 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 13%: 15.5% for the 77% of Ruaka listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −KES 23,700 | −KES 42,200 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; KES 0 if you clean yourself | −KES 3,000 | −KES 5,400 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −KES 9,400 | −KES 16,800 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −KES 3,800 | −KES 6,700 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −KES 5,600 | −KES 10,100 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −KES 1,900 | −KES 1,900 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −KES 900 | −KES 900 |
| ManagementKES 0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | KES 0 | KES 0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | KES 0 | KES 0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | KES 0 | KES 0 |
| Total running costsAbout 24% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −KES 48,300 | −KES 84,000 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | KES 139,690about KES 11,600 a month | KES 251,400about KES 21,000 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Ruaka's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Ruaka home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb profit calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about KES 28,000 a month, against KES 15,700 for the average one.
Occupancy
Ruaka listings were booked on 31% of the nights they were open over the past year, in line with the Kiambu County average and in line with the Kenya average. Occupancy climbs to 45% in June and falls to 24% in February.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 5.5 times as often as the bottom quarter.
June was the busiest month in Ruaka, February the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The 12-month rate of 31% averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Ruaka, known as ADR (average daily rate), was KES 3,815 over the past year, about 10% below the Kiambu County average of KES 4,250 and about 62% below the Kenya average of KES 10,100. Rates peak in July and August at about KES 4,345 and bottom out in February at about KES 3,470.
The top 10% charge about twice the rate of the bottom quarter.
August rates ran 25% above February's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 3,830.
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Ruaka it averaged KES 1,230 over the past year, from about KES 813 in February to about KES 1,880 in June.
Per open night, by tier:
June RevPAR was about 2.3 times February's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 1,340. The 12-month RevPAR of KES 1,230 averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Seasonality
Ruaka has two high seasons, June–August and November–December, which makes it a moderately seasonal market. Business is slowest from January to April and slows again in September and October.
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonJune–August, November–December | KES 51,100 | 39% | KES 4,048 |
| Shoulder seasonMay | KES 40,500 | 33% | KES 4,167 |
| Low seasonJanuary–April, September–October | KES 32,200 | 30% | KES 3,601 |
Guests book Ruaka stays 12 days ahead on average, so many trips are booked close to arrival. November stays are booked furthest out, about 27 days ahead, and March stays closest to arrival, about 5 days. A typical November booking is made in mid-October.
November stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, September 2025 to August 2026
Permits
None of the 73 active listings in Ruaka display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply: some places don't ask hosts to show a number on the listing, and listing data doesn't capture every scheme.
Registration, permit, zoning and tourist-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the local authority before buying or listing in Ruaka.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks eight Ruaka neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Ruaka Town Center, Limuru Road and Ruaka Riverside. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Ruaka Town Center | The bustling heart of Ruaka, ideal for guests looking to access shops, restaurants, and local entertainment. It’s a vibrant area with great connectivity. | Kenya Cinema, Wangige Market, Diverse eateries, Local craft shops, Public transport access |
| Limuru Road | A major road linking Nairobi and the central highlands, perfect for travelers needing easy access to the city and beyond. It’s popular with business and leisure travelers alike. | Sarit Expo Centre, Village Market, Various hotels, Residential suburbs access, Cafes and restaurants |
| Ruaka Riverside | A serene area along the river, offering a peaceful retreat with natural beauty. Perfect for guests seeking relaxation and outdoor activities. | Fishing spots, Picnic areas, Nature trails, Cycling paths, Scenic views |
| Kanyanjua | A developing neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial spaces. It attracts young professionals and families, making it a great area for Airbnb investments. | Shopping centers, Local parks, Schools, Community events, Access to main roads |
| Kiambu Gardens | A family-friendly area with spacious homes and gardens. Popular among local travelers looking for short-term rentals for family gatherings. | Parks, Children’s playgrounds, Local eateries, Quiet environment, Community markets |
| Nyari | An upscale area close to Ruaka, attracting affluent travelers and expatriates. It’s known for luxurious amenities and spacious accommodations. | Exclusive restaurants, Malls, Privacy and security, High-end residential areas, Swimming pools |
| Limuru Town | Close to Ruaka, it offers a quaint town experience with natural beauty and tranquility, appealing for those looking for a getaway. | Local markets, Historic sites, Natural reserves, Quiet atmosphere, Countryside scenery |
| Gikambura | Nearby rural area known for its agricultural ambiance, perfect for guests interested in rural tourism and experiencing local culture. | Agricultural tours, Local farms, Cultural experiences, Nature walks, Community interactions |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
More than nine in ten Airbnbs in Ruaka are entire homes (95%), with private rooms at 5%. Apartments and condos account for 99% of the stock; hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs come next at 1%.
Nearly all listings rent the whole place
Ruaka Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 94.5% | 69 |
| Private room | 5.5% | 4 |
Apartments dominate the property mix
Ruaka Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment/Condo | 98.6% | 72 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 1.4% | 1 |
Ruaka's homes run small: studios and one-bedrooms make up 75% of entire homes, and no homes have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 64 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Ruaka entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes with a bedroom count | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 20.3% | 13 |
| 1 bedroom | 54.7% | 35 |
| 2 bedrooms | 25.0% | 16 |
A typical studio in Ruaka earned KES 71,400 over the past year, against KES 175,000 for a two-bedroom home.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 13 | KES 71,400 | KES 130,000 | KES 2,709 | 28% |
| 1 bedroom | 35 | KES 112,000 | KES 168,000 | KES 3,602 | 30% |
| 2 bedrooms | 16 | KES 175,000 | KES 344,000 | KES 5,588 | 37% |
Most Ruaka listings are sized for couples and small families: 96% sleep four guests or fewer, and none take eight or more. Shares are of the 69 listings with a guest capacity on file (95% of the market).
Ruaka listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file
| Guest capacity | Share of listings with a capacity on file | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | 68.1% | 47 |
| 3 guests | 7.2% | 5 |
| 4 guests | 20.3% | 14 |
| 5 guests | 4.3% | 3 |
Ruaka hosts set up an average of 1.3 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. 68% of listings show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Pools are common in Ruaka: 45% of listings have one, and 73% offer self check-in.
Share of Ruaka listings with each common amenity
Guests
Ruaka splits its demand between home and abroad: 61% of guests who left reviews live outside Kenya, led by visitors from the United States and Germany. English is spoken by 64% of guests, and Swahili by 14%.
61% of Ruaka guests come from abroad
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Ruaka guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Nairobi | 29.4% |
| Munich | 8.4% |
| New York | 2.8% |
| Mombasa | 2.8% |
| Sofia | 2.1% |
Where Ruaka guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Kenya | 38.5% |
| United States | 22.3% |
| Germany | 9.5% |
| United Kingdom | 4.1% |
| Canada | 3.4% |
Languages spoken by Ruaka guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 63.6% |
| Swahili | 14.4% |
| French | 9.3% |
| Italian | 3.4% |
| Spanish | 3.4% |
Ruaka Airbnbs average 4.77 stars, and 41% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. Guests are toughest on location: it scores 4.70, against 4.86 for host communication.
Communication scores highest in Ruaka; location is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.77 |
| Cleanliness | 4.80 |
| Communication | 4.86 |
| Location | 4.70 |
| Check-in | 4.82 |
| Value | 4.78 |
Booking patterns
Nearly all Ruaka listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 1% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 1 to 30 days a year, covering 52% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Ruaka listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 86.3% | 63 |
| 181-270 days | 12.3% | 9 |
| 91-180 days | 1.4% | 1 |
Days a year Ruaka listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 181-270 days | 1.4% | 1 |
| 91-180 days | 13.7% | 10 |
| 31-90 days | 32.9% | 24 |
| 1-30 days | 52.1% | 38 |
The average Ruaka booking lasts 7.6 nights, longest in October and shortest in September. Listings took about 6 bookings each over the year. Check-in is split almost evenly between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., with check-out usually at 10 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Ruaka
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Nearly all listings in Ruaka accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Ruaka listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Flexible is the most common cancellation policy in Ruaka, used by 75% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: about nine in ten listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 8% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Ruaka listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
About one in ten Ruaka listings charge a cleaning fee. Fees here tend to be small: for listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up only about 2% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Ruaka, a two-bedroom unit, took in KES 914,000 over the past year, about 4.9 times the city's average of KES 188,000. All six listings below have two bedrooms or fewer, so size alone doesn't explain the top of this market.
Cozy 2 Bedroom Apartment Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.94
Two bedroom apartment, Shamari 2 Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.82
Cozy two bedroom -Ruaka Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.70
Home Away From Home Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Home near UN Embassy Runda Two Rivers Village Mkt Entire home · 1 bedroom Rated 4.91
Elegant penthouse Entire home · 1 bedroom Rated 4.78 Fewer than 1% of Ruaka listings are classed as professionally managed. Superhosts run 44% of listings. 64% of listings accept Instant Book, so most stays are confirmed without the host's approval. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 77% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 65 km, Olkaria ward (61 km away, 35 listings) earned the most per listing, about 16.7 times as much as Ruaka. Tatu City was the busiest, booked on 36% of nights against 31% in Ruaka.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ndenderu ward 0 km | 56 | KES 242,792 | KES 4,343 | 27% |
| Kiambu Township ward 7 km | 49 | KES 205,429 | KES 4,920 | 27% |
| Nairobi 9 km | 4,904 | KES 498,770 | KES 6,989 | 33% |
| Tatu City 16 km | 47 | KES 313,897 | KES 5,037 | 36% |
| Syokimau-Mulolongo ward 25 km | 50 | KES 449,126 | KES 7,010 | 26% |
| Pridelands 30 km | 30 | KES 82,223 | KES 3,138 | 31% |
| Olkaria ward 61 km | 35 | KES 3,148,663 | KES 27,613 | 33% |
| Viwandani ward 65 km | 38 | KES 1,953,063 | KES 13,683 | 29% |
FAQ
An active Ruaka Airbnb grossed KES 187,990 on average in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 73 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in KES 61,100 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Ruaka listings earn between KES 14,000 and KES 61,100 in a typical month, and the top tenth KES 83,900 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb income calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Ruaka were booked on 31% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 31% for the Kiambu County average. June was the busiest month.
The average booked night in Ruaka cost KES 3,815 before fees. Half of listings charge between KES 2,910 and KES 4,660, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Ruaka listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
It can be, as extra income from a home or room you already have. The average Ruaka Airbnb grossed KES 187,990 in the 12 months to September 2026, 14% below the Kiambu County average of KES 218,357, counting listings open only part of the year, and a listing at the top-quarter mark, run by its owner with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, keeps about KES 21,000 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
June paid best over the past year, at KES 56,300 per active listing, and February paid least. The month-by-month table above shows how rates and bookings each move.
Each night a Ruaka listing was open to book earned KES 1,230 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made KES 2,270 or more.
Ruaka stays were booked 12 days before arrival on average over the past year, so a listing can still fill close to the date.
The average Ruaka Airbnb stay lasted 7.6 nights over the past year. A listing took 6 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Ruaka Airbnbs 4.77 out of 5 on average. Guests score communication highest and location lowest.
Ruaka Town Center, Limuru Road and Ruaka Riverside draw the most short-term rental interest in Ruaka. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 73 active Airbnb listings in Ruaka as of September 2026. The closest tracked market is Kiambu Township ward, 7 km away.
In Ruaka, about one in ten listings add a cleaning fee, and the fees tend to be small: for listings that charge one, they make up only about 2% of gross revenue.
Method
Figures on this page cover 73 active Airbnb listings in Ruaka from October 2025 to September 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. AirROI measures bookings in US dollars; this page shows them in Kenyan shillings at KES 129 per US$, the typical rate from October 2025 to September 2026. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.