How to Price Short‑Term Rentals in Centennial, Colorado: Airbnb & VRBO Strategies
- Ben Willson
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Maximize your nightly rate without scaring off bookings
Running a short-term rental in Centennial, Colorado can be wildly profitable, if you know how to price it right.
And let’s be honest, pricing isn’t just a math problem. It’s a psychological game between what you want, what the market allows, and what guests are willing to pay to sleep near IKEA and Topgolf.
Centennial may not be a tourist destination like Boulder or Breckenridge, but it offers high appeal to visiting families, traveling professionals, and Denver-area relocators who want comfort, convenience, and a suburban feel, without the Denver price tag.
This guide walks you through smart pricing strategies for Airbnb and VRBO hosts specific to the Centennial area, helping you stay competitive, profitable, and actually booked.
1. Understand Your Market: Who’s Booking in Centennial?
Before you price, know your guest profile. In Centennial, most short-term rental guests are:
Families visiting relatives or touring schools (Cherry Creek School District is a draw)
Traveling professionals working near DTC or hospitals like Sky Ridge and Centennial Medical Plaza
Remote workers relocating to the Denver Metro
Event travelers (weddings, sports tournaments, graduation weekends)
What they want:
Clean, quiet homes with parking
Wi-Fi that works
Easy access to I-25, Parker Road, or E-470
Not shared spaces or bohemian couches in unfinished basements
This isn’t downtown Denver, people booking in Centennial want suburban comfort, not urban edge.
2. Start with Local Comps, Not National Averages
Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO will suggest nightly prices, but they rely on wide-area data, which may include Englewood, Aurora, or even Denver proper. Instead, use tools that pull hyperlocal Centennial data, like:
Look for:
Properties with a similar number of bedrooms/baths
Amenities like hot tubs, backyard space, and pet-friendly setups
Reviews (more reviews = more stable pricing)
Pro tip: Don’t price against all listings... price against listings that actually get booked.
3. Use Tiered Pricing Based on Demand Patterns
Centennial has seasonal and weekly pricing trends you need to capitalize on:
Weekly patterns:
• Weekdays are usually slower unless you’re attracting business travelers
• Thursdays–Sundays see higher bookings for families and weekend getaways
Seasonal trends:
• Summer (May–August): Peak season, especially for families visiting or relocating
• Holiday weeks: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break often fill up fast
• Off-season (January–March): Slower unless you’re targeting business travelers or offering monthly discounts
Tiered Strategy Example:
• Base rate (Mon–Wed): $145
• Weekend rate (Thur–Sun): $175–$195
• Holiday/special event weeks: $225+
Adjust based on occupancy, but never set it and forget it! Short-term rental pricing is dynamic.
4. Don’t Undervalue “Centennial” as a Feature
Some hosts assume guests only care about being in Denver proper. Not true.
Centennial offers:
Cherry Creek Schools: a selling point for families
Proximity to DTC: key for corporate bookings
Quiet, suburban appeal: great for guests who don’t want to deal with downtown chaos
Access to hiking trails, Topgolf, and Southglenn, nice bonuses for weekenders
Call this out in your listing title and description. Ex:
“Spacious 3BR Near DTC | Quiet Neighborhood | Family-Friendly”
That justifies higher pricing, especially if you’re up against Denver hosts with tiny parking spots and paper-thin walls.
5. Use Smart Minimum Stays and Gap-Fillers
Most Centennial travelers book for:
2–4 nights on weekends
5–14 nights for relocations or family visits
20–30+ nights for corporate/professional stays
Strategy:
Set higher minimum stays for peak weekends (to avoid 1-night party bookings)
Offer discounted rates for longer stays (7+ or 28+)
Use gap fillers: If you have a 2-day hole between bookings, drop the rate slightly to attract a short-term filler
Platforms like PriceLabs and Wheelhouse can automate this, or you can manually adjust your calendar every 1–2 weeks.
6. Add Value Before You Add Price
Instead of just bumping up your nightly rate, look for easy ways to justify higher prices through better amenities or convenience.
High-impact upgrades for under $500:
Keyless smart locks
Professional photography
Blackout curtains and white noise machines (seriously)
Fast Wi-Fi and a dedicated workspace
Welcome snacks or a small local gift
People pay more for listings that feel cared for. They’ll even pay more for reviews that mention “clean” and “quiet.”
7. Watch Out for Local Rules (and License Requirements)
As of 2025, Centennial allows short-term rentals but requires a business license if you’re operating one, and enforcement is slowly ramping up.
What to know:
STRs must often be owner-occupied or meet specific zoning requirements
HOA restrictions still apply (even if the city says yes, your neighborhood might say no)
You may need to collect local lodging tax depending on your setup
Check Centennial’s official STR guidelines here: https://www.centennialco.gov
8. Pricing Isn’t Static: Review and Adjust Monthly
Even successful hosts lose money when they don’t review their pricing.
Set a monthly reminder to:
• Check your occupancy rate
• Compare it to nearby listings
• Adjust for seasonality and demand
• Review guest feedback — are you over-promising or undercharging?
If your place is booked solid at your current rate, raise it. If you’re not getting bites, adjust it, or review your photos, title, or reviews.
Final Word: The Right Price Brings the Right Guests
Centennial may not be flashy, but it’s steady, reliable, and full of untapped short-term rental potential. Price it right, position it well, and you can build a profitable, low-drama STR that fits your long-term goals.
Don’t guess your pricing. Don’t copy Denver. Use Centennial data, local strategy, and platform smarts to build something that books, and lasts.
Need help running the numbers or finding STR-friendly properties in Centennial?
We help buyers and hosts pinpoint the best areas, analyze ROI, and get their listings launched the right way.
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