Average Airbnb income in Bristol

Based on current Houst performance data, a professionally managed two-bedroom property in Bristol earns approximately £3,836 per month at 70% annual occupancy.

At that occupancy and income level:

• Estimated annual gross income: approximately £46,000
• ADR (average daily rate): approximately £183 per night
• Bristol achieves consistent year-round occupancy driven by tourism, university demand and corporate visitors
• Weekend and event-driven peaks push ADR significantly above the annual average

These figures reflect a professionally managed listing across all booking platforms with optimised pricing. Self-managed properties or single-platform listings typically achieve lower occupancy and ADR.

For a personalised income estimate based on your specific property and area, see the Houst Bristol Airbnb management page.

Income by area in Bristol

Bristol income varies significantly by neighbourhood. Central and hillside areas with character architecture consistently outperform the wider city.

Clifton and Clifton Village. Bristol’s highest-earning short-let area. The Georgian terraces, independent shops and proximity to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge attract high-spending leisure visitors and corporate guests. Properties in Clifton typically achieve ADR above the city average.

Harbourside and City Centre. Strong year-round demand from leisure visitors, event attendees and business travellers. The waterfront location, restaurants and proximity to major venues (Bristol Beacon, O2 Academy) drive consistent occupancy and event-weekend premiums.

Redland and Cotham. Popular Victorian and Edwardian terraces close to the universities. Consistent demand from visiting academics, parents of students and professionals relocating to Bristol. Good mid-week corporate occupancy.

Stokes Croft and Montpelier. Bristol’s arts quarter. Strong appeal to independent-minded leisure visitors and creatives. Growing popularity with domestic tourists exploring Bristol’s street art scene. Properties with character features command a premium.

Bedminster and Southville. Up-and-coming south Bristol neighbourhoods with growing short-let demand. Lower ADR than Clifton or the Harbourside but consistent occupancy from domestic visitors and event traffic.

What drives Bristol Airbnb income

Tourism and the visitor economy. Bristol draws significant domestic and international visitor numbers year-round. The city’s combination of Georgian architecture, waterfront, street art (including Banksy’s hometown credentials), SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge creates a strong leisure tourism base. Bristol consistently ranks among the UK’s most popular domestic short-break destinations.

Events calendar. Bristol’s events calendar creates regular demand spikes. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August) is one of Europe’s largest balloon events and drives very high occupancy across the city. Bristol Harbourside festivals, Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade, sporting fixtures at Ashton Gate and concert seasons at major venues all contribute to a busy events-driven calendar.

University demand. Bristol has two large universities (University of Bristol and UWE) with combined student populations exceeding 40,000. Graduation weekends, open days, freshers and visiting academics generate consistent short-let demand that underpins occupancy in quieter leisure periods.

Corporate demand. Bristol’s growing tech, aerospace and professional services sectors generate consistent weekday corporate demand. Properties positioned for business travellers — workspace, fast broadband, easy parking or transport links — capture this segment effectively.

Regulation. Bristol does not currently have a mandatory night cap. England is consulting on a short-term let register and new planning use class for whole-property short lets, though London’s 90-night cap does not apply outside the capital. Always check the current position before listing. See the Bristol short-term rental regulation guide for the current framework.

Costs and what you actually keep

Gross income is only part of the picture. Here is what typically reduces it before calculating net income:

Platform fees. Airbnb charges hosts approximately 3% of the booking value. Booking.com and Vrbo are broadly similar.

Management fees. Houst charges 14% of nightly income in Bristol. If self-managing, account for the time cost of guest communication, check-in, pricing and platform management.

Cleaning. Professional cleaning between each guest stay. At 70% annual occupancy on a two-bedroom, expect 2-3 cleaning sessions per week during peak periods.

Maintenance and consumables. Short-let use accelerates wear on furnishings and appliances. Budget approximately 5-8% of gross income annually.

Insurance. Standard short-let insurance for a Bristol property typically runs £800-1,500 per year. Ensure your policy explicitly covers short-term rental activity.

Safety certifications. Gas safety (annual), EICR (5-yearly), smoke and CO alarms. A professional management company should handle these as part of their compliance process.

Net income estimate (two-bedroom at £3,836/month gross):

• After platform fees (3%): approximately £3,721
• After management (14%): approximately £3,199
• After cleaning, maintenance and insurance: approximately £2,700-2,900/month net

This puts estimated net annual income at approximately £32,000-35,000 for a well-managed two-bedroom property at Houst average occupancy.

How to maximise your Bristol Airbnb income

Price for the Balloon Fiesta and key events. Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta (typically August) is one of the single biggest demand spikes in the UK short-let calendar. Rates should increase significantly for this week. A management company with local Bristol data will capture the full premium — inexperienced pricing leaves significant money on the table during peak events.

Target weekend leisure demand year-round. Bristol is a top domestic short-break destination. Weekend rates should consistently run above mid-week rates. Dynamic pricing that adjusts automatically for weekend demand is standard practice for well-managed Bristol listings.

Capture the graduation and university calendar. University of Bristol and UWE graduation weekends bring thousands of visiting families to the city. Build these into your pricing calendar as premium dates. Open days and freshers periods add further demand spikes across the academic year.

Position for Clifton and Harbourside proximity. Properties within walking distance of Clifton Village, the Clifton Suspension Bridge or the Harbourside waterfront command a premium over equivalent properties elsewhere in the city. Highlight these in your listing description.

Check the England STL register position before listing. England is consulting on new short-term let planning requirements. While these have not yet taken effect, it is worth verifying the current framework before listing a whole property. See the Bristol short-term rental regulation guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Bristol Airbnb hosts earn?

Based on Houst performance data, a professionally managed two-bedroom property in Bristol earns approximately £3,836 per month at 70% occupancy. Annual gross income is approximately £46,000. Clifton and Harbourside properties typically outperform the city average.

What is the best area in Bristol for Airbnb?

Clifton and Clifton Village consistently deliver the highest ADR, driven by the area’s Georgian architecture, independent shops and proximity to the Suspension Bridge. The Harbourside performs strongly for leisure visitors. Redland and Cotham suit corporate and university-related demand.

Is Bristol Airbnb income seasonal?

Yes, but less extreme than purely coastal or rural markets. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August) creates the single biggest demand spike of the year. Graduation weekends, the summer festival calendar and Christmas/NYE periods drive further peaks. Corporate and university demand keeps mid-season occupancy relatively stable.

Is there a night cap for Airbnb in Bristol?

No. Bristol and the rest of England outside London do not have a mandatory night cap on short-term lets. London’s 90-night cap applies only within Greater London. England is consulting on a new short-let register and planning use class, but no cap is currently in force in Bristol.

How does Bristol Airbnb income compare to long-term letting?

At 70% occupancy and £3,836/month gross, a well-managed Bristol short-let property typically earns significantly more than the equivalent long-term rental income. Net short-let income after management fees, cleaning and insurance remains materially higher for well-located properties in central Bristol.