The Salyer House Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 5.00 - Revenue
- $101,214
- Occupancy
- 27.7%
- Daily rate
- $1,084
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to September 2026
The average Airbnb in Whitesburg brought in $18,746 over the 12 months through September 2026, about 32% less than the Kentucky average of $27,730.
The short answer
Whitesburg is priced below the Kentucky average. Listings averaged $172 a night, about 31% less than that average of $250, and were booked on 38% of available nights, close to its 39% occupancy.
Timing matters: in June, usually the best month, the average listing earns about three times as much as in February, usually the slowest. With only 31 active listings, a few bookings can reorder the months.
With 31 active listings, Whitesburg is the 76th-largest of 112 Kentucky markets AirROI tracks.
Browse the live Whitesburg Airbnb market See Every Whitesburg ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Whitesburg listing averaged $18,746 over the 12 months to September 2026 (Kentucky average: $27,730), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
In a typical year, the average Whitesburg listing brings in $2,910 in June, its best month, and $946 in February, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 35% 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 2.3 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 earns about three times what February does
Average revenue per active listing, by month, September 2024 to August 2026
Each point is one month as recorded, averaged over the listings active in it. The best and slowest months in the text average each calendar month over the past two years, so they can differ from the highest and lowest points here.
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, nightly rate and bookings alike.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | $2,121 | 41.4% | $161 | $71 | 58 days | 3.3 nights |
| Oct 2025 | $2,251 | 41.9% | $162 | $73 | 46 days | 3.4 nights |
| Nov 2025 | $1,673 | 30.0% | $160 | $56 | 25 days | 3.8 nights |
| Dec 2025 | $1,851 | 43.6% | $160 | $60 | 17 days | 3.7 nights |
| Jan 2026 | $825 | 20.4% | $159 | $27 | 13 days | 4.5 nights |
| Feb 2026 | $979 | 27.9% | $159 | $35 | 7 days | 5.5 nights |
| Mar 2026 | $2,035 | 35.3% | $161 | $66 | 39 days | 6 nights |
| Apr 2026 | $1,909 | 34.3% | $163 | $64 | 31 days | 6.7 nights |
| May 2026 | $2,368 | 42.7% | $180 | $76 | 47 days | 5 nights |
| Jun 2026 | $3,372 | 58.4% | $182 | $112 | 79 days | 3 nights |
| Jul 2026 | $2,666 | 41.6% | $182 | $86 | 67 days | 3.3 nights |
| Aug 2026 | $1,632 | 34.4% | $180 | $53 | 29 days | 2.6 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.
The typical Whitesburg listing earns about $1,550 a month, but one property can land well above or below that. The Airbnb income calculator gives a range for a specific address, built from the comparable listings around it.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Whitesburg Airbnb took in $18,746 in the 12 months to September 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about $1,050 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money. A listing in the top quarter leaves about $1,520 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the $1,290 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about $1,150 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about $900 a month.
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 HOA or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | $17,456 | $25,200 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay7% of Whitesburg bookings | $1,290 | $1,870 |
| Gross bookings | $18,746 | $27,070 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 15%: 15.5% for the 94% of Whitesburg listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −$2,750 | −$3,980 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; $0 if you clean yourself | −$1,290 | −$1,870 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −$940 | −$1,350 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −$370 | −$540 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −$560 | −$810 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −$190 | −$190 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −$90 | −$90 |
| Management$0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | $0 | $0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | $0 | $0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | $0 | $0 |
| Total running costsAbout 26% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −$6,190 | −$8,830 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | $12,556about $1,050 a month | $18,240about $1,520 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, HOA or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Whitesburg'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 Whitesburg 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 $2,260 a month, against $1,560 for the average one.
Occupancy
Whitesburg listings were booked on 38% of the nights they were open over the past year, in line with the Kentucky average and 3 percentage points below the U.S. average (41%). In a typical year, occupancy swings from 23% in January to 52% in June.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about three times as often as the bottom quarter.
June is usually the busiest month in Whitesburg, January the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, September 2024 to August 2026
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Whitesburg, known as ADR (average daily rate), was $172 over the past year, about 31% below the Kentucky average of $250 and about 46% below the U.S. average of $320. In a typical year, rates peak in June and July at about $175 and bottom out in January and February at about $155.
The top 10% charge about 1.9 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
June rates run 11% above February's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026
The 12-month ADR of $172 averages each listing's own rate across its whole year; the monthly points average listings month by month, so the two differ.
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 Whitesburg it averaged $64 over the past year, from about $33 in a typical January to about $97 in a typical June.
Per open night, by tier:
June RevPAR is about three times January's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026
Seasonality
With only 31 active listings, the monthly pattern in Whitesburg is noisy, since a few long or pricey stays can lift a month; revenue has tended to peak in June and bottom out in February.
Average revenue by month in Whitesburg
Average revenue per active listing, each calendar month averaged over the past two years
| Month | Revenue per listing |
|---|---|
| January | $1,010 |
| February | $946 |
| March | $1,700 |
| April | $1,610 |
| May | $1,880 |
| June | $2,910 |
| July | $2,520 |
| August | $1,890 |
| September | $2,190 |
| October | $2,330 |
| November | $1,630 |
| December | $1,700 |
Guests book Whitesburg stays 47 days ahead on average (about seven weeks). June stays are booked furthest out, about 84 days ahead, and February stays closest to arrival, about 7 days. A typical June booking is made in late March.
June stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, September 2024 to August 2026
The 12-month figure of 47 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
None of the 31 active listings in Whitesburg 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 occupancy-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the city or county before buying or listing in Whitesburg.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks eight Whitesburg neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Downtown Whitesburg, Letcher County and Appalachian Trailheads. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Whitesburg | Historic downtown with charming shops and local eateries, offers a quaint atmosphere for visitors. It's perfect for tourists seeking a small-town experience with access to local culture and events. | Letcher County Courthouse, Whitesburg Museum, local art galleries, farmers market, festivals and community events |
| Letcher County | A beautiful region offering stunning natural scenery and outdoor activities. Ideal for nature lovers looking to explore the great outdoors, including hiking, fishing, and camping. | Cumberland River, Pine Mountain, Letcher County Recreation Center, Kenton Homeplace, dangerous curve trails |
| Appalachian Trailheads | Close proximity to trails and outdoor adventures, appealing to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Perfect for those wanting to escape into nature and enjoy scenic views. | Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Black Mountain, Red River Gorge, lakes and nature trails, wildlife watching |
| Local Vineyards and Farms | Showcases the local agricultural scene and provides a unique experience for guests interested in farm tours and wine tasting. It draws tourists wanting to experience local produce and wines. | Local vineyards, farm-to-table restaurants, U-pick farms, craft fairs, seasonal festivals |
| Historic Sites | Rich in Appalachian history, these sites attract visitors interested in the cultural heritage of the region. Great for those aiming to learn about local traditions and history. | Cumberland Gap, Historic church sites, local folklore sites, museums, cultural festivals |
| Festivals and Events Venues | Whitesburg hosts various festivals that attract visitors year-round. These locations are conducive for guests wanting to experience local culture through events. | Apple Blossom Festival, Mountain Heritage Festival, Whitesburg Appalachian Writers Conference, local music events, seasonal fairs |
| Outdoor Recreational Areas | Offers several parks and recreational areas for family-friendly activities, making it suitable for families and groups looking for fun things to do outdoors. | City Park, Camping sites, fishing spots, hiking trails, picnic areas |
| Cultural Arts District | An emerging area focusing on arts and culture, attracting visitors interested in local artisans and craftwork. Perfect for those valuing unique cultural experiences. | art studios, theaters, craft shops, local exhibitions, performance venues |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 81% of listings in Whitesburg, alongside 6 private-room listings (19%). Houses are the most common property type at 55%, about 1.7 times the share of apartments and condos (32%).
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Whitesburg Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 80.6% | 25 |
| Private room | 19.4% | 6 |
Listings by property type
Whitesburg Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| House | 54.8% | 17 |
| Apartment/Condo | 32.3% | 10 |
| Cabin/Outdoor | 9.7% | 3 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 3.2% | 1 |
The most common size among Whitesburg's 25 entire homes with a bedroom count is two bedrooms (8 homes).
Whitesburg 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 | 12.0% | 3 |
| 1 bedroom | 28.0% | 7 |
| 2 bedrooms | 32.0% | 8 |
| 3 bedrooms | 20.0% | 5 |
| 4 bedrooms | 4.0% | 1 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 4.0% | 1 |
Most Whitesburg listings are sized for couples and small families: 60% sleep four guests or fewer, and just 20% take eight or more. Shares are of the 25 listings with a guest capacity on file (81% of the market).
Whitesburg 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 | 24.0% | 6 |
| 4 guests | 36.0% | 9 |
| 5 guests | 4.0% | 1 |
| 6 guests | 16.0% | 4 |
| 8+ guests | 20.0% | 5 |
Whitesburg hosts set up an average of 2.1 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. Only 16% of listings show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Free on-site parking is close to standard in Whitesburg: 90% of listings offer it, and 55% have a dedicated workspace.
Share of Whitesburg listings with each common amenity
Guests
Whitesburg draws mostly domestic guests: 99% of those who left reviews live in the United States. No single city dominates: Louisville is the largest source outside Whitesburg, at about 7% of reviews.
99% of Whitesburg guests are domestic
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Whitesburg guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Louisville | 7.3% |
| Columbus | 4.0% |
| Whitesburg | 3.6% |
| Lexington | 3.6% |
| Indianapolis | 3.3% |
Where Whitesburg guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| United States | 98.5% |
| France | 0.7% |
| Ireland | 0.4% |
| Netherlands | 0.4% |
Languages spoken by Whitesburg guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 89.6% |
| Spanish | 4.3% |
| French | 3.5% |
| Portuguese | 0.9% |
| German | 0.9% |
Whitesburg Airbnbs average 4.95 stars, and 87% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and value for money is the lowest, at 4.90. Listings here carry long review histories, about 108 reviews each on average.
Communication scores highest in Whitesburg; value is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.97 |
| Cleanliness | 4.96 |
| Communication | 4.98 |
| Location | 4.92 |
| Check-in | 4.96 |
| Value | 4.90 |
Booking patterns
About nine in ten Whitesburg listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 10% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 91 to 180 days a year, covering 58% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Whitesburg listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 38.7% | 12 |
| 181-270 days | 51.6% | 16 |
| 91-180 days | 9.7% | 3 |
Days a year Whitesburg listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 181-270 days | 9.7% | 3 |
| 91-180 days | 58.1% | 18 |
| 31-90 days | 25.8% | 8 |
| 1-30 days | 6.5% | 2 |
The average Whitesburg booking lasts 4.3 nights, longest in March and shortest in June. Listings took about 24 bookings each over the year. More than three-quarters of listings that give a check-in time set it at 3 p.m., with check-out usually at 11 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Whitesburg
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Two-year average by calendar month.
All listings in Whitesburg accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Whitesburg 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 Whitesburg, used by 65% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: about seven in ten listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 23% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Whitesburg listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
About eight in ten Whitesburg listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is $40, and some higher fees lift the average to $60. Spread over the average stay of 4.3 nights, that adds roughly $9 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 7% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Whitesburg, a six-bedroom home, took in $101,000 over the past year, about 5.4 times the city's average of $18,700.
The Salyer House Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 5.00
The Farmhouse Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.98
BROWN’S ELK CABIN Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.98
Whitesburg Vacation Home w/ Glass-Enclosed Porch Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.67
The Joe Romeo Monolocale Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Texas Avenue B & B Cottage A Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.96 Only 3% of Whitesburg listings are classed as professionally managed, though 55% of listings have a co-host. 77% of listings are run by Superhosts, so a strong review record is the norm here rather than an edge. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 94% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 88 km, Delbarton (87 km away, 31 listings) earned the most per listing, about 36% more than Whitesburg. Kingsport was the busiest, booked on 45% of nights against 38% in Whitesburg.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pikeville 47 km | 45 | $16,667 | $159 | 38% |
| Kingsport 71 km | 136 | $20,265 | $170 | 45% |
| Blountville 77 km | 32 | $12,354 | $163 | 37% |
| Williamson 82 km | 43 | $15,920 | $208 | 28% |
| Bristol City 82 km | 49 | $13,127 | $193 | 31% |
| Pineville 87 km | 32 | $5,716 | $141 | 18% |
| Delbarton 87 km | 31 | $25,508 | $265 | 33% |
| Bluff City 88 km | 36 | $20,864 | $199 | 38% |
See all 112 Kentucky Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in the United States with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Whitesburg:
FAQ
An active Whitesburg Airbnb grossed $18,746 on average in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 31 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in $2,240 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Whitesburg listings earn between $966 and $2,240 in a typical month, and the top tenth $3,670 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Whitesburg were booked on 38% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 39% for the Kentucky average. June is usually the busiest month.
The average booked night in Whitesburg cost $172 before fees. Half of listings charge between $105 and $165; a few high-priced homes pull the average above that range.
None of the active Whitesburg listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and occupancy-tax rules with the city or county before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Whitesburg Airbnb grossed $18,746 in the 12 months to September 2026, 32% below the Kentucky average of $27,730. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, $12,556 a year (about $1,050 a month) is left before the mortgage or rent. A home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit, and a listing at the top-quarter mark leaves about $1,520 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
June usually pays best, averaging $2,910 per active listing over the past two years, and February usually pays least. The month-by-month table above shows how the latest 12 months played out.
Each night a Whitesburg listing was open to book earned $64 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 $88 or more.
Whitesburg stays were booked 47 days (about seven weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Whitesburg Airbnb stay lasted 4.3 nights over the past year. A listing took 24 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Whitesburg Airbnbs 4.95 out of 5 on average. Guests score communication highest and value lowest.
Downtown Whitesburg, Letcher County and Appalachian Trailheads draw the most short-term rental interest in Whitesburg. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 31 active Airbnb listings in Whitesburg as of September 2026. The closest tracked market is Pikeville, 47 km away.
In Whitesburg, about eight in ten listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is $40, and some higher fees lift the average to $60.
Method
Figures on this page cover 31 active Airbnb listings in Whitesburg 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. Money figures are in U.S. dollars. 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.