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Airbnb in San Mateo County: License, Income & Investment Guide 2026

By HostPal Editorial·Updated 303 days ago·Source: Inside Airbnb

San Mateo County short-term rental market data, neighbourhood breakdown, and regulation summary.

At a glance
Median occupancy
36%
+9.7 pts YoY
Median daily rate
$159
+0.6% YoY
Active listings
2,302
3,516 total
Revenue per available night
$40.2

Year-over-year performance

Compared to the closest snapshot from approximately 12 months ago, the San Mateo County short-term rental market has shifted in measurable ways. Occupancy among active listings is up 9.7 points, while the median daily rate is up 0.6 percent.

San Mateo County — occupancy over time 26% 1y ago 2024-09 36% Now 2025-09

When San Mateo County Airbnbs perform best

Monthly occupancy data shows the seasonal rhythm of the San Mateo County short-term rental market. Use this to plan dynamic pricing, target peak demand, and avoid lulls.

San Mateo County — monthly occupancy 32% 31% 32% 37% 37% 43% 51% 51% 56% 55% 40% 34% JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 100% 0%

How San Mateo County compares to United States

Benchmarked against 34 other United States markets we track, San Mateo County's metrics tell a clear story.

Occupancy vs national
-6 pts vs national
National median: 42%
Daily rate vs national
+16.5% vs national
National median: $136.5

What kind of Airbnbs are in San Mateo County?

Of the 2,302 active operating listings, 71.2% are entire homes (vs private rooms), and 50% are operated by Airbnb Superhosts.

Bedroom mix among active listings
1 BR
2 BR
3 BR
4+ BR
Studio: 5.1%1 BR: 49.6%2 BR: 18.9%3 BR: 13.5%4+ BR: 12.9%

Top neighborhoods in San Mateo County

The 21 neighborhoods we track range from established tourist hotspots to emerging investment zones. Here are the five strongest by revenue.

NeighborhoodListingsOccupancyRevPARYoY
Pacifica18148%$84.7-4.6 pts YoY
Unincorporated Areas36448%$72.3+15.1 pts YoY
Half Moon Bay5642%$70.1+5.8 pts YoY
Portola Valley526%$70+6.3 pts YoY
Woodside2738%$61+27 pts YoY

Frequently asked questions

What is the average Airbnb occupancy in San Mateo County?
Active Airbnb listings in San Mateo County run at ~36% occupancy (up 9.7 points year over year). Source: Inside Airbnb.
What is the median daily rate for an Airbnb in San Mateo County?
The median Airbnb daily rate (ADR) in San Mateo County is approximately $159, up 0.6% year over year. Based on listings with at least one review in the last 12 months.
How many active Airbnb listings are in San Mateo County?
There are approximately 2,302 active short-term rental listings in San Mateo County (listings with at least one booking in the last 12 months).
Is Airbnb income growing or shrinking in San Mateo County?
Compared to a year ago, San Mateo County short-term rental performance has shifted: occupancy +9.7 pts, daily rate +0.6%. Underlying data comes from the latest Inside Airbnb snapshot vs the closest archive ~12 months prior.

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Going deeper?

Get the full San Mateo County investment report

Property-level financials, stress tests, neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdowns, and an AI verdict on whether to buy.

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Methodology. Market metrics are derived from Inside Airbnb's 2025-09 snapshot, filtered to active listings (those with at least one booking in the last 12 months). Year-over-year deltas compare against the closest archived snapshot ~12 months prior. Sample sizes: occupancy n=1,249, ADR n=2,135.