Airbnb market data · 202512 months to April 2025
Mbale City, Uganda Airbnb Market Data: Revenue, Occupancy & Trends
The average Airbnb in Mbale City brought in UGX 6,610,611 over the 12 months through April 2025, across just 20 active listings, so a single property can move that figure.
AirROI's latest figures for Mbale City run through April 2025.
The short answer
Mbale City Airbnb Market at a Glance
Listings averaged UGX 113,449 a night and were booked on 24% of available nights.
Timing matters: in May, the best month, the average listing earned about 7.5 times as much as in December, the slowest. With only 20 active listings, a few bookings can reorder the months.
With 20 active listings, Mbale City is the second-largest of 3 Eastern Region markets AirROI tracks.
Browse the live Mbale City Airbnb market See Every Mbale City ListingRevenue
How Much Do Airbnb Hosts Make in Mbale City?
Gross bookings per Mbale City listing averaged UGX 6,610,611 over the 12 months to April 2025 (Eastern Region average: UGX 15,448,962), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
The average Mbale City listing brought in UGX 3,480,000 in May, its best month, and UGX 463,000 in December, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 32% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
Across Mbale City's 20 active listings, monthly revenue by tier:
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) earn UGX 5,430,000+ a month, about 2.4 times the typical property.
- Strong performers (top 25%) earn UGX 3,690,000 or more, roughly UGX 1,400,000 a month above the median.
- Typical properties (median) earn about UGX 2,250,000 a month.
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn UGX 935,000 or less, about 42% of the median.
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.
May earned about 7.5 times what December did
Average revenue per active listing, by month
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, UGX 2,630,000.
Mbale City Airbnb Data by Month
Latest 12 months in the April 2025 data.
May led on revenue. Nightly rates peaked in January and bookings in June, so the best-paying month is not always the busiest or the priciest.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | Booking Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | UGX 3,480,132 | 3.2% | UGX 100,911 | 4 days |
| Jun 2024 | UGX 3,292,063 | 37.2% | UGX 101,614 | 13 days |
| Jul 2024 | UGX 2,371,262 | 22.8% | UGX 104,417 | 8 days |
| Aug 2024 | UGX 2,640,106 | 26.3% | UGX 102,378 | 10 days |
| Sep 2024 | UGX 2,712,481 | 21.6% | UGX 101,403 | 7 days |
| Oct 2024 | UGX 2,721,705 | 32.3% | UGX 101,251 | 67 days |
| Nov 2024 | UGX 2,611,063 | 34.0% | UGX 100,882 | 62 days |
| Dec 2024 | UGX 462,804 | 18.6% | UGX 113,408 | 19 days |
| Jan 2025 | UGX 3,369,876 | 19.4% | UGX 126,256 | 4 days |
| Feb 2025 | UGX 2,014,259 | 22.1% | UGX 125,377 | 4 days |
| Mar 2025 | UGX 3,169,605 | 17.8% | UGX 124,714 | 15 days |
| Apr 2025 | UGX 2,740,488 | 27.8% | UGX 123,491 | 6 days |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in for stays in that month.
These are market-wide figures. To see what one particular Mbale City home could earn, enter its address, bedrooms and guests in the Airbnb calculator; it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Profit
Is an Airbnb in Mbale City Profitable?
Yes, as extra income from a home or room you already have. The average Mbale City Airbnb took in UGX 6,610,611 in the 12 months to April 2025, counting listings open only part of the year, and a listing in the top quarter, run by its owner at everyday costs, keeps about UGX 664,000 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.
Mbale City Airbnb Income, Expenses and Profit per Year
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Gross bookings | UGX 6,610,611 | UGX 10,832,000 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's fee15.5% of bookings, Airbnb's standard host-only fee | −UGX 1,025,000 | −UGX 1,679,000 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −UGX 331,000 | −UGX 542,000 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −UGX 132,000 | −UGX 217,000 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −UGX 198,000 | −UGX 325,000 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −UGX 66,000 | −UGX 66,000 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −UGX 33,000 | −UGX 33,000 |
| ManagementUGX 0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | UGX 0 | UGX 0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | UGX 0 | UGX 0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | UGX 0 | UGX 0 |
| Total running costsAbout 27% of bookings | −UGX 1,785,000 | −UGX 2,862,000 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | UGX 4,825,611about UGX 402,000 a month | UGX 7,970,000about UGX 664,000 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
Estimate Your Own Mbale City Airbnb Profit
The estimate starts from Mbale City'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 Mbale City 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.
How Mbale City's Top Earners Get There
- More nights booked. The busiest quarter of Mbale City listings are booked on 30% or more of their nights, against 18% for the median listing. Ten more booked nights a year at the median rate of UGX 78,500 adds about UGX 785,000 in bookings.
- Prices that follow demand. Ranked by price, the top quarter charge UGX 132,000 a night or more, against a median of UGX 78,500. That is a separate ranking from the busiest quarter, so the two marks don't multiply into one listing's takings. For the average listing, a 10% higher rate on the nights it already books adds about UGX 661,000 a year.
- Open for the busy months. May brought the average listing about UGX 3,480,000, against UGX 463,000 in December, so a calendar that is open and full in the busy months carries the year.
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 UGX 903,000 a month, against UGX 551,000 for the average one.
Occupancy
What Is the Airbnb Occupancy Rate in Mbale City?
Mbale City listings were booked on 24% of the nights they were open over the past year, in line with the Eastern Region average and 6 percentage points below the Uganda average (30%). Occupancy swings from 3% in May to 37% in June.
Across Mbale City's 20 active listings, the share of open nights booked by tier:
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) are booked 44%+ of open nights, 26 points above the median.
- Strong performers (top 25%) fill 30% or more, roughly two nights a week.
- Typical properties (median) fill about 18% of open nights.
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) fill 13% or less, less than one night a week.
June was the busiest month in Mbale City, May the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month
Nightly rates
How Much Does an Airbnb Cost per Night in Mbale City?
The average nightly rate in Mbale City, known as ADR (average daily rate), was UGX 113,449 over the past year, about 62% below the Eastern Region average of UGX 302,000 and about 43% below the Uganda average of UGX 200,000. Rates peak in January and February at about UGX 126,000 and bottom out in May and November at about UGX 101,000.
Across Mbale City's 20 active listings, nightly rates by tier:
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) charge UGX 229,000+ a night, about three times the median.
- Strong performers (top 25%) charge UGX 132,000 or more, about UGX 54,000 above the median.
- Typical properties (median) charge about UGX 78,500 a night.
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) charge UGX 59,800 or less, about three-quarters of the median.
January rates ran 25% above November's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, UGX 111,000.
Seasonality
Best and Worst Months for Airbnb in Mbale City
With only 20 active listings, the monthly pattern in Mbale City is noisy, since a few long or pricey stays can lift a month; revenue peaked in May and bottomed out in December.
How Far in Advance Do Guests Book Airbnb in Mbale City?
Guests book Mbale City stays 19 days ahead on average (about three weeks), so many trips are booked close to arrival. October stays are booked furthest out, about 67 days ahead, and February stays closest to arrival, about 4 days. A typical October booking is made in early August.
October stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay
The 12-month figure of 19 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
Airbnb Permits and Registration in Mbale City
5% of the 20 active listings in Mbale City display a registration, permit or license number. A low share 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 Mbale City.
Neighborhoods
Best Neighborhoods for Airbnb in Mbale City
AirROI's area guide picks eight Mbale City neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Budadiri, Mbale Town and Sironko. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Budadiri | A picturesque area at the foot of the mountain, popular with tourists seeking outdoor adventures such as hiking and climbing. | Sipi Falls, Mount Elgon National Park, Budadiri Community Tour, Nature trails, Local markets |
| Mbale Town | The bustling commercial center of Mbale, offering convenience and amenities for both tourists and business travelers. | Mbale Main Market, Namatala River Walk, Local eateries and shops, Cultural exhibitions, Mbale Cultural Centre |
| Sironko | Located near the stunning Mount Elgon, this area is ideal for guests interested in nature and wildlife. | Mount Elgon, Mbale Tea and Coffee Tour, Local plantations, Bird watching, Rural village experiences |
| Kapchorwa | This scenic town is known for its vast tea gardens and beautiful landscapes, perfect for eco-tourists and sightseers. | Kapchorwa Tourist Information Centre, Tea plantations, Kasejju Hills, Local community visits, Canoeing on local lakes |
| Pallisa | A quieter location, offering opportunities to experience Ugandan rural life with authentic community interactions. | Pallisa Market, Visiting local farms, Nature walks, Cultural performances, Community meals |
| Budaka | Known for its agricultural landscape and welcoming communities, perfect for visitors seeking a local experience. | Rural community tours, Local crafts market, Budaka hills, Cultural exchange programs, Nature walks |
| Tirinyi | A serene area known for its scenic beauty and proximity to rivers and streams, ideal for nature enthusiasts. | River walks, Fishing spots, Bird watching, Hiking trails, Camping sites |
| Namanyonyi | A charming village known for its rich agricultural practices and local culture, great for cultural tourism. | Namanyonyi Church, Local craft shops, Agricultural tours, Community events, Cultural dances |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Nearby markets
Mbale City vs. Nearby Airbnb Markets
There is no other market with 30 or more active listings within 100 km of Mbale City to compare it with.
Other Airbnb Markets in Eastern Region
- Jinja Airbnb data 76 listings
FAQ
Mbale City Airbnb FAQ
How much do Airbnb hosts make in Mbale City?
An active Mbale City Airbnb grossed UGX 6,610,611 on average in the 12 months to April 2025, according to AirROI's tracking of 20 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in UGX 3,690,000 or more in a typical month.
How much can I make on Airbnb in Mbale City?
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Mbale City listings earn between UGX 935,000 and UGX 3,690,000 in a typical month, and the top tenth UGX 5,430,000 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb income calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Mbale City?
Listings in Mbale City were booked on 24% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 24% for the Eastern Region average. June was the busiest month.
How much does an Airbnb cost per night in Mbale City?
The average booked night in Mbale City cost UGX 113,449 before fees. Half of listings charge between UGX 59,800 and UGX 132,000, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
Do you need a permit for an Airbnb in Mbale City?
In Mbale City, 5% of active listings display a registration, permit or license number. A low share doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
Is Airbnb profitable in Mbale City?
It can be, as extra income from a home or room you already have. The average Mbale City Airbnb grossed UGX 6,610,611 in the 12 months to April 2025, 57% below the Eastern Region average of UGX 15,448,962, though with only 20 active listings a single property can move that figure, counting listings open only part of the year, and a listing at the top-quarter mark, run by its owner with everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, keeps about UGX 664,000 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
When is Airbnb peak season in Mbale City?
May paid best over the past year, at UGX 3,480,000 per active listing, and December paid least. The month-by-month table above shows how rates and bookings each move.
How far in advance do guests book Airbnbs in Mbale City?
Mbale City stays were booked 19 days (about three weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so a listing can still fill close to the date.
What are the best neighborhoods for Airbnb in Mbale City?
Budadiri, Mbale Town and Sironko draw the most short-term rental interest in Mbale City. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
How many Airbnbs are there in Mbale City?
AirROI counted 20 active Airbnb listings in Mbale City as of April 2025.
Method
About This Data
Figures on this page cover 20 active Airbnb listings in Mbale City from May 2024 to April 2025 (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 Ugandan shillings at UGX 3,695 per US$, the typical rate from November 2025 to October 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.