Airbnb Data Insights: What are Numbers Telling You?

Airbnb Data Insights: What are Numbers Telling You?

Learn how to leverage Airbnb data to optimize your rental strategy, improve guest satisfaction, and achieve success in the short-term rental market.

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Airbnb Data Insights What are Numbers Telling You
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As an Airbnb host, you have access to a wealth of data that can help you optimize your listing and improve your business. From booking patterns to pricing trends, Airbnb data can provide valuable insights into the preferences of your guests and the overall market.

In this article, we'll explore some of the most important types of Airbnb data you should be aware of, where you can find it, and how you can analyze and use it to your advantage to make your listings more bookable.

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Airbnb's Dominance in the Short-Term Rental Market

As of December 2024, Airbnb boasts a market cap or total dollar valuation of $83.3 billion, positioning it as one of the most valuable companies globally.

With over 7.7 million listings in more than 220 countries, Airbnb's impressive growth trajectory reflects its dominance in the world of short-term rental market.

With such a vast network of data, Airbnb hosts can easily fine-tune their rental strategies simply by putting into practice the strategies that seem to working for other hosts, or being able to identify new market trends to capitalize on.

How Can I Get Access to Airbnb Market Data?

The most convenient way to access Airbnb data is by using specialized short-term rental analytics tools like AirDNA, which perform market analysis by tracking historical listing prices and other factors. (Find out more about the most popular tools later in the text.)

These solutions are particularly valuable because they provide investors with a comprehensive market overview. By analyzing vast amounts of data and utilizing AI algorithms, these tools can identify trend patterns that would be difficult or impossible to detect manually.

For instance, you can observe how many listings exist in a given market, how much revenue Airbnb hosts generate annually in specific neighborhoods, view occupancy rates and revenue forecasts based on seasonal variations, local events, and market conditions.

The trend analysis capabilities enable hosts and investors to anticipate pricing fluctuations and optimize rates during high-demand periods. These tools continuously update and learn from new data, offering accurate predictions and recommendations as market conditions change.

Publicly Available Airbnb Data

Some public data is available in industry reports and Airbnb's quarterly financial reports. However, Airbnb's reports are focused on the global picture and show its own performance as a company.

Alternatively, hosts can check out tourism board statistics and reports or public records of the local government.

The most accurate data is found by researching the platform yourself. You can analyse market data manually using only a spreadsheet or your property management software, which can help streamline data collection and analysis. Manual approach makes sense when you narrow your focus on a micro area surrounding your listing.

Regardless of the approach used, manual research or tools, it's important for short-term rental owners and managers to regularly review and update their data and compare it to historical rental data, to ensure accuracy and relevancy.

When you consider that you're competing against a million hosts for the attention of over a billion guests, the closer you look at the data, the better your vacation rental will ultimately perform.

What Kind of Data Does Airbnb Collect?

Airbnb collects and owns data from its platform, including:

  • Host information: property details, pricing strategies, and availability
  • Guest data: booking patterns, demographics, and preferences
  • Performance metrics: occupancy rates, average daily rates
  • Review and rating information
  • Search patterns and user behavior on the platform
  • Geographic concentration and market saturation data
  • Seasonal trends and demand fluctuations

As a company, Airbnb does not disclose any detailed statistics publicly, apart from general financial figures presented in its financial reports. However, the platform enables hosts to leverage these insights through its Smart Pricing feature. Smart Pricing automates and adjusts rates based on supply, demand, and algorithmic predictions derived from Airbnb data.

Why is Airbnb Rental Data Analysis Important?

Airbnb data can be used by hosts and property managers to optimize their listing performance, as well as by investors and industry analysts to gain market trends and insights into the broader vacation rental market.

Vacation rental data can be effectively utilized in the following areas:

Optimizing Rental Strategies

Airbnb data helps hosts understand booking patterns, seasonal demand, and pricing trends so they can adjust their rental strategies.

This enables them to set competitive rates and adjust availability to maximize occupancy and revenue​​.

For example, if a Miami host identifies winter as peak season through booking data and raises rates by 20% during December-February, it could lead to a significant increase in revenue.

Improving Guest Satisfaction

By analyzing guest reviews and feedback, hosts can identify areas for improvement and enhance the guest experience.

If a host finds guests are consistently complaining about their outdated kitchen, they should use this insight to plan an upgrade.

The improved guest satisfaction scores should lead to increases bookings and indirectly boost revenue to offset the overall investment into the property's new kitchen.

Market Insights

Data from platforms like AirDNA provides insights into market trends, helping hosts and property managers stay competitive.

Understanding local market conditions, such as the average nightly rates and access to popular amenities, allows hosts to make informed decisions about their listings​.

Investment Decisions

For investors, Airbnb data can reveal the most profitable markets and properties. This information is vital for making sound investment decisions for more Airbnb homes and maximizing returns​.

Forecasting and Planning

Advanced data analytics can predict future booking trends and market changes, allowing hosts to plan ahead and optimize their operations​.

What Does Airbnb Data Statistic Say?

In its annual Outlook Report for 2025, AirDNA, for example, outlined the short-term rental (STR) market's past performance and future expectations:

In 2024, ADR recovered from negative figures in 2023. In 2023, the market was corrected after the pandemic surge that pumped up prices. Travelers tightened their budgets in 2023, and hosts often had to lower prices to stay competitive.

In 2024, ADR bounced back and ended with positive growth, showing that travelers were willing to pay a bit more again. In 2025, ADR is expected to grow by an additional 2.7%.

Demand and Occupancy

Demand is anticipated to increase by 4.9% year-over-year (YOY), supported by rising real incomes and steady economic conditions. While demand is expected to rise in 2025, the number of new listings will grow more slowly than in previous years.

After years of travelers preferring remote and rural areas, people are returning to urban destinations for work, events, and cultural experiences. Also, travelers are showing a stronger preference for larger homes that can accommodate groups.

Larger homes (6+ bedrooms) offer a unique economic advantage for group travellers because they can split the bill. Premium, luxury accommodation seekers prefer single-bedroom homes and privacy.

Occupancy rate is expected to rebound to 54.9% by the end of 2025, aligning with pre-pandemic levels. ​

Key U.S. STR Performance Metrics for January 2025

Revenue per Available Rental (RevPAR) increased 8.1% year-over-year (YOY) to $136.39

Available listings were 1.61 million, up 4.3% YOY

Total demand (nights) rose 7.2% YOY

Occupancy was 2.7% higher YOY at 43.5%

Average Daily Rates (ADR) increased 5.3% YOY to $313.61.

Repeat Rent Index (RRI) increased by 6.2% YOY

Nights booked increased by 8.9% YOY

data comparison

How to Find the Most Accurate Short Term Rental Data?

There are a number of both free and paid third-party services that specialize in collecting and analyzing data specifically for the short-term rental industry, such as AirDNA, Mashvisor, and Airbtics.

They allow you to review data for the vacation rental market at large and compare it to your own so you can make smarter decisions to maximize your cash return. These services use advanced algorithms and machine learning to collect and analyze data on vacation rentals, from various sources, including booking platforms, search and review sites, and social media.

A seasoned host can leverage insights from its own listing history. Property management systems like iGMS can generate reports for you, when you get an overview of your performance and metrics. iGMS also utilizes AI-powered analytics to access over 200 short-term rental data points, so you can better understand market dynamics. You can identify competitors, gain insights into cleaning fees, extra person rates, cancellation policies and use that data to improve profitability.

Analyzing Airbnb Data Using Tools

When is the best time to start using rental analytics tools? Probably during the phase before you've purchased the property, when you're still working on your business plan. Analytics tools guide investors in making informed investment decisions.

These data analytics tools are commonly used in the short-term rental (STR) market:

AirDNA

AirDNA provides market intelligence and analytics specifically for short-term rental markets. The tool has global coverage, which means you can analyse a property regardless of its location.

The main features are:

Airbnb Calculator

It estimates potential earnings for a specific property. You can input details like location, number of bedrooms, and amenities. This tool provides projections on occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADR), and monthly revenue.

Comparable listings

You can create tailored sets of comparable listings to benchmark your property's performance against similar rentals in your area.

Submarket Insights

Gain detailed analytics on specific neighborhoods or submarkets, allowing for more granular market research beyond city-level data.

Airbnb Listing Performance and Pricing Recommendations

Used to monitor and analyze your listing's performance metrics, including occupancy rates, ADR, and revenue trends. The tool will give you dynamic pricing recommendations based on real-time market data.

Mashvisor

Mashvisor offers in-depth analytics on short-term rental markets across the U.S. Other than market research, Mashvisor's platform allows investors to find and analyze properties on sale suitable for short-term rentals and access to off-market and investment properties by giving direct contact with the owner.

The main features are:

Airbnb Market Data

Provides neighborhood-level analytics on occupancy, revenue, and profitability to identify top-performing short-term rental markets.

Airbnb Properties for Sale

Let's users find and analyze investment-ready Airbnb listings with projected rental income and key financial metrics.

Airbnb Calculator

Estimates the investment potential of any property by calculating cash flow, cap rate, and ROI based on real-time market data.

Alltherooms

Alltherooms offers global market analysis, including future demand predictions. The company caters to individual hosts and enterprise companies and creates curated reports customized by city, region, or country.

Market Intelligence

Provides insights into occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADR), and revenue trends

Portfolio Monitoring

Enables tracking of property performance metrics to inform lending decisions and asset management strategies.

Performance Benchmarking

Facilitates comparison of managed properties against market averages to identify areas for improvement.

Destination Analytics

Delivers data on visitor patterns, accommodation types, and booking behaviors.

Investment Analysis

Provides detailed market data to evaluate the viability and risk associated with financing short-term rental properties.​

Airbtics

This tool has global coverage and tracks more than 15 million listings globally with weekly updates.

The main features are:

Airbnb Income Calculator

This tool estimates potential Airbnb revenue for any global address by analyzing comparable listings.

Airbnb Market Data

Airbtics provides detailed market analytics across over 54,000 global markets, offering insights into: historical and current occupancy rates, average daily rates, revenue trends, seasonality patterns, and top-performing listings.

Market Finder

The Market Finder tool helps users identify lucrative STR markets by analyzing average property values, annual revenues, occupancy rates, and the number of active listings

Rabbu

Rabbu gained traction in the U.S. market as a free tool designed to help short-term rental investors analyze markets, estimate returns, and connect with industry professionals.

Airbnb Calculator

Estimating potential rental income for any U.S. address by analyzing comparable Airbnb listings, factoring in metrics like Average Daily Rate (ADR), occupancy rates, and seasonal trends.

Airbnb Market Data

Accessing real-time, nationwide short-term rental data, including annual revenue projections, occupancy rates, and Rabbu's proprietary ROI Score to assess investment potential across various markets.

Airbnb Loans

Rabbu helps clients secure a loan using projected Airbnb income by connecting short-term rental investors with lenders who understand the STR business model and are willing to invest.

Agent Collaboration

The possibility of connecting with real estate agents experienced in short-term rental investments to gain insights into local regulations, market dynamics, and property acquisition strategies.

Essential Airbnb Data Metrics Explained

Let's take a more in depth look at each of the metrics to help you shape your short term rental strategy.

Booking Data

The most basic type of Airbnb data is booking data. This includes information such as the dates your listing is booked, the length of stay, and the number of guests. This data can help you understand booking patterns, such as which days of the week are most popular, and which times of the year are busiest.

You can also use booking data to identify trends in the length of stay and the number of guests, which can help you optimize your pricing strategy and adjust your listing to better accommodate your guests.

Length of Stay

One of the most important pieces of booking data to pay attention to is the length of stay. If you find that most of your guests are staying for only one or two nights, you may want to adjust your pricing to attract longer-term guests. Alternatively, if you find that half your guests are staying for longer periods, you may want to consider offering discounts for extended stays.

Number of Guests

Another important piece of booking data is the number of guests. If you find that your listing is consistently booked for a certain number of guests, you may want to adjust your pricing and amenities to better suit that demographic.

For example, if you notice that your listing is popular with families, you may want to provide additional amenities such as toys and games for children.

Who Can Book a Listing? The 25 rule on Airbnb

When analysing demographic data, keep in mind that Airbnb has implemented age restrictions on its platform. While anyone 18 or older can create an account and book accommodations or become a host, there are additional limitations for younger users.

Specifically, guests under 25 face restrictions when booking entire properties. This policy was put in place following incidents where younger guests hosted disruptive parties at Airbnb rentals, which negatively impacted the company's reputation and many businesses. Since then, persons under 25 have been restricted from booking entire properties.

Pricing Data

Pricing data is perhaps the most important type of Airbnb data for hosts. This includes information on the prices of other listings in your area, as well as the prices of your own listing over time. By analyzing pricing data, you can determine the optimal price for your listing based on the current market.

Average Daily Rate (ADR)

One of the most important pricing metrics to pay attention to is the average daily rate (ADR). This is the average price per night that guests are paying for your listing. You can compare your ADR to the average ADR in your area to see if your pricing is competitive.

If your ADR is lower than the average in your area, you may want to consider raising your prices. If it's higher, you may want to lower your prices to attract more guests.

Seasonal Pricing

You can also use pricing data to adjust your prices based on the time of year. For example, if you find that your listing is more popular during the summer months, you may want to raise your prices during that time. Similarly, if your listing is less popular during the winter months, you may want to lower your prices to attract more guests.

Reviews Insights

Reviews data is another important type of analysis of Airbnb data for hosts. This includes information on the ratings and reviews that guests leave for your listing. By analyzing reviews data, you can identify areas where your listing is excelling, as well as areas where it may need improvement.

Listing Rating

One of the most important review metrics to pay attention to is the overall rating of your listing. This is the average score that guests have given your listing based on factors such as cleanliness, accuracy, and communication. If your property' overall rating is lower than you'd like, you may want to make improvements to your listing to address any concerns guests have raised.

Use Reviews to Improve Your Listing

You can also use review data to identify specific areas where your listing could be improved. For example, if guests consistently mention that your listing is too noisy, you may want to invest in soundproofing. If guests mention that your listing could be cleaner, you may want to hire a cleaning service to ensure that your listing is spotless.

Cancellation Rate Data

Cancellation data is another important type of Airbnb data. Cancellation data can provide valuable insights into the reasons guests may be canceling their bookings, and summary information can help hosts take steps to reduce the number of cancellations they experience. This data includes summary information, such as the number of cancellations, the reason for the cancellation, and the timing of the cancellation.

What Do Cancellations Signal to You?

If you notice that you're experiencing a high number of cancellations, it may be worth investigating the reasons why. If guests are canceling due to a lack of amenities or poor communication, you may want to make changes to your listing or communication strategy.

Alternatively, if guests are canceling due to factors outside of your control, such as weather or transportation issues, you may want to consider offering more flexible cancellation policies.

Occupancy Rate Data

Occupancy data provides insight into how frequently your listing is being booked and can help you make decisions about pricing and availability. This data includes information such as the number of days your listing is booked, the number of days it's available, and the occupancy rate.

Predict Booking Patterns

By analyzing historical data of your listings' occupancy rate, you can identify periods of high demand and adjust your pricing and availability accordingly. For example, if you find that your listing is consistently booked on weekends, you may want to raise your prices for weekend bookings. Similarly, if your listing is frequently available during the week, you may want to lower your prices to attract more weekday bookings.

Market Data

Market data provides a broader perspective on the Airbnb market in your area, and can help you make decisions about pricing, amenities, and marketing strategies. This data includes information such as the average nightly rate in your area, the number of listings in your area, and the types of accommodations and amenities that are popular with guests.

Keep an Eye on Your Competitors

By analyzing market data for similar others, you can identify areas where your listing may be falling short, as well as areas where you may have a competitive advantage. For example, if you notice that most listings in your area offer certain amenities, such as a pool or hot tub, you may want to consider adding those amenities to your listing to remain competitive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, leveraging Airbnb data is crucial for optimizing your vacation rental business. It can provide valuable insights into guest preferences and market trends, helping you make informed decisions about your pricing, availability, and amenities.

To make the most of your your rental data, consider investing in iGMS' vacation rental management software, which offers advanced data analytics and automation tools to help you streamline your business operations and maximize your revenue potential.

iGMS' vacation rental software is a great tool for hosts to manage their listings and automate the guest communication process, making it easier to provide a high-quality experience to guests. It can help you:

With the right approach and tools, hosts can unlock the potential of the platform's Airbnb for Work and increase their earning potential.

About the Author

Daniëlle Kruger
is a writer and Content Manager at iGMS. She is an avid reader and researcher of all things travel, always trying to keep her finger on the pulse of the latest trends and innovations. A self-proclaimed nerd, Dani enjoys reading, roller skating, and playing video games.
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