Joshua Tree, CA
Desert design retreat - drive-to LA/SD market
Joshua Tree has emerged as one of the most Instagram-worthy STR markets in the country. Two-hour drive from LA and San Diego, it draws design-conscious travelers seeking desert architecture, dark sky stargazing, and national park access. Unique, design-forward homes dramatically outperform standard properties. ADR is high relative to purchase price, but CA STR regulation is evolving.
39 active listings in Joshua Tree are analyzed and ranked right now
Scored 1-10 against real Airbnb comps. See which properties rank highest and why.
Estimated Annual Performance
* Estimates based on market averages. Individual property performance varies. Always run a full underwriting analysis.
Why Investors Choose Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree STR investing, answered
Is Joshua Tree, CA a good short-term rental market?
Joshua Tree is a Southwest STR market averaging a 5.7% cap rate, 47% annual occupancy, and $226/night across STR-viable listings, based on 39 active listings. Joshua Tree has emerged as one of the most Instagram-worthy STR markets in the country. Two-hour drive from LA and San Diego, it draws design-conscious travelers seeking desert architecture, dark sky stargazing, and national park access. Unique, design-forward homes dramatically outperform standard properties. ADR is high relative to purchase price, but CA STR regulation is evolving.
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Joshua Tree?
STR-viable properties in Joshua Tree average about 47% occupancy across the year. Peak season is Oct - May (avoids desert summer heat). Occupancy here reflects availability-adjusted booking performance, not raw calendar occupancy, so it represents what a full-time operated rental can realistically achieve.
How much do short-term rentals earn in Joshua Tree?
At $226/night and 47% occupancy, a typical Joshua Tree STR grosses roughly $38,358 per year before expenses, leaving an estimated $23,015 in net operating income against a $575K average price, an implied 4.0% cap rate. Individual results depend on property, amenities, and management.
What types of properties work best for STR in Joshua Tree?
The strongest-performing STR property types in Joshua Tree are Single Family, Desert Cabin, Unique/Design Home. 2-hour drive from 20M+ LA/SD metro residents. Matching the local guest profile and the amenities that drive bookings in this market matters more than raw square footage.
What is the median STR-viable home price in Joshua Tree?
STR-viable listings in Joshua Tree average around $575K. Primary STR ZIP codes include 92252, 92277, 92256. Combined with the market's 5.7% average cap rate, that price level sets the return baseline you'd underwrite against.
Market averages, not guarantees. Cap rates, occupancy, and nightly rates are market-wide averages based on active STR listings and historical data. Individual property performance depends on location, amenities, management, and listing quality. Always run a full underwriting analysis before purchasing.Stats sourced from 39 active listings · last updated Sep 1, 2026
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