Bloomington, Indiana Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 27, 2023

Bloomington Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.8
  • Competition

    9.9
  • Real Estate Cost

    8.1
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    4.2
  • Rental Rates

    4.9

Bloomington, Indiana Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
85,755
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
May to October
County
Monroe
Airports
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Louisville International Airport (SDF)
Review our Bloomington Indiana short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Bloomington?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Bloomington rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Bloomington rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Bloomington.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Bloomington Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Bloomington guests.

Interested in other Indiana cities?

Check out the Indiana short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Bloomington a great place to invest?

Bloomington, Indiana, a vibrant city nestled in the rolling hills of Southern Indiana, is a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and a thriving community, making it an ideal location for investing in short-term rentals.
  1. Diverse Tourist Attractions: Bloomington is home to the Indiana University, which not only brings in students from around the world but also attracts visitors for its beautiful campus, cultural events, and sporting events. Additionally, the city hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival and the Bloomington Craft Beer Festival.
  2. Proximity to Natural Parks: The city is surrounded by natural beauty, with the Hoosier National Forest to the south and the Monroe Lake, Indiana's largest inland lake, to the southeast. These natural attractions draw outdoor enthusiasts year-round for hiking, boating, fishing, and camping.
  3. Thriving Arts and Culture Scene: Bloomington boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene with numerous galleries, theaters, and live music venues. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater, a restored 1922 vaudeville and movie palace, hosts over 200 events each year, and the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD) is home to many artists' studios, galleries, and public art installations.
  4. Excellent Amenities: The city offers a wide range of amenities for visitors, including a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops. The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is a popular spot for both locals and visitors to purchase fresh, locally-sourced produce and artisanal goods.
  5. Professional Sports Teams: While Bloomington itself does not have major professional sports teams, its location in Indiana, a state with a rich sports tradition, means that it is within driving distance to Indianapolis, home to the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), Indiana Pacers (NBA), and Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A baseball).

Bloomington Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Bloomington?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Bloomington has decreased -5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $174, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$304,336

-5% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$174

0% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,501

3% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Bloomington, Indiana

Word Cloud for Bloomington, Indiana Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Bloomington short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Bloomington has a description approximately 1,393 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 83 listings in Bloomington, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Bloomington, Place, Bungalow, Garden, Patio, Beautiful, IU, Comfortable, Basement, and Perfect.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Bloomington?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Bloomington involve Cycling, Winery Tours, Swimming, Rural, and Hiking. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Cycling

Winery Tours

Swimming

Rural

Hiking

Adventure Activities

City Centre

Boating

Water Sports

Outlet Shopping

Museums

Mountain Biking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Bloomington, including Indiana University Bloomington, Lake Monroe, Indiana University Auditorium, Memorial Stadium, and Wonderlab Science Museum. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

Indiana University Bloomington

Included on 90% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Lake Monroe

Included on 90% of listings

Regional Landmark

Indiana University Auditorium

Included on 90% of listings

Regional Landmark

Memorial Stadium

Included on 90% of listings

Regional Landmark

Wonderlab Science Museum

Included on 90% of listings

Regional Landmark

Assembly Hall

Included on 90% of listings

Regional Landmark

Monroe Convention Center

Included on 90% of listings

Local Landmark

Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center

Included on 90% of listings

Local Landmark

Bloomington Speedway

Included on 90% of listings

Local Landmark

IU Health Bloomington Hospital

Included on 90% of listings

Local Landmark

Monroe County Courthouse

Included on 90% of listings

Local Landmark

Cascades Golf Course

Included on 90% of listings

What’s the weather like in Bloomington, Indiana?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 64°, while the average low is about 45°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 38 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 12 inches per year. The humidity levels in Bloomington are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

26° Low 41° High

Precipitation
7.0"
Snowfall
9.8"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
56%

Spring

March through May

45° Low 64° High

Precipitation
11.7"
Snowfall
1.4"
Muggy Days
3.8 days
Cloudiness
50%

Summer

June through August

64° Low 84° High

Precipitation
10.4"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
46.3 days
Cloudiness
37%

Fall

September through November

46° Low 65° High

Precipitation
9.2"
Snowfall
0.4"
Muggy Days
7.4 days
Cloudiness
40%