Airbnb occupancy rates is one of the main criteria looked at before deciding to host or buy an Airbnb investment property. It comes as no surprise that the major cities in the U.S. have high Airbnb occupancy rates but we decided to shed some light on the most searched cities.
We found the cities’ Airbnb occupancy rates and the neighborhood with the highest occupancy rate based on the number of listings.
These cities are touristy, highly populated, and are home to major companies and industries and universities. This makes Airbnb listings convenient for traveling employees and visitors coming to vacation, attend major events or even graduations.
These cities have been very prominent on Airbnb, including the crackdown on regulations. Please make sure to search your city’s rules and regulations on having a short-term rental in your city by visiting Responsible Hosting and consulting The City.
Related: 7 Tips to Achieve a High Airbnb Occupancy Rate
Airbnb Los Angeles
Los Angeles – say no more. L.A. is one of the top visited cities in the U.S. and set a new tourism record in 2015 with 45.5 million visitors. Where to begin with the list of things to do in this city? Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, beautiful beaches, fascinating museums, and fun for kids at Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland. The list goes on and on in this truly iconic city.
Since people are after the beautiful L.A. weather, there are tourists almost all throughout the year. Peak season is during the summer with everyone on vacation and wanting to get a taste of this famous city. During the holiday season, many people are looking to escape the cold weather and have a sunny Christmas. The annual Rose Parade is on January 1st, which welcomes over a million people each year. Proximity to these attractions and availability during these times make for a great Airbnb listing.
Los Angeles Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 55.64%
Top Neighborhood: Mid-Wilshire, 66.64%
Airbnb New Orleans
New Orleans is referred to as the most unique city in the U.S. The city has an incomparable charm to it with diverse cultures, art, and food. New Orleans holds on to its great history and heritage by taking tourists to old neighborhoods, beautiful historic homes, history museums and more. The city also has a wide range of festivals from music to multicultural to film and literary festivals.
One of the most famous events and most exciting times to be in New Orleans is during the Mardi Gras Parade. Airbnb hosts can profit well from hosting visitors during this event. As for location, French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in the city and is a highly sought out area for lodging, making it an optimal location for Airbnb users.
New Orleans Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 57.85
Top Neighborhood: Tremé – Lafitte, 74.51%
Related: Airbnb Reviews: Top Influencers Affecting Your Occupancy Rate
Airbnb Houston
Houston is full of skyscrapers and has become the fourth largest city in the U.S. The city is diverse and is famous for its significance in aerospace, oil, and music. Visitors can see astronauts at The Johnson Space Center and know what it’s like to be on the moon through simulations. The art scene is bigger than most people might guess with lots of museums and performing art options.
Airbnb hosts in Houston like to appeal to visitors coming to the Houston Art Car Parade in April and Martin Luther King Grande Parade in January.
Houston Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 58.95%
Top Neighborhood: Montrose, 71.42%
Airbnb Austin
Austin is the new trendy city. It has many historical and nature attractions but is also famous for its live music scene. The most popular festival is South by Southwest (SXSW) which is annual event that occurs in March. This festival alone is an incentive to host on Airbnb in this city.
During the SXSW festival, prices and Airbnb occupancy rates significantly rise because of the limited hotel availability in downtown Austin. Big companies send employees to attend these festivals which means hosts charge a lot more than usual – cha-ching!
Austin Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 59.09%
Top Neighborhood: Zilker, 61.54%
Related: 4 Reasons to Buy Airbnb Investment Property in Austin
Airbnb New York
New York City has the highest population than any other city in the U.S. It is #1 most visited city in the U.S. by foreign travelers. New York City might have a special place in tourists’ hearts because of the memories attached to the many movies and shows that featured this amazing city. The list of iconic sites is epic – the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, One World Trade Center . . . it’s a long list.
New York City brings in tourists from all over the world and country for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the Ball Drop at Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Airbnb rentals have provided visitors with great views of these rentals. An Airbnb investment property close to any attractions or to transportation can easily prosper.
New York City Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 62.36%
Top Neighborhood: NoHo, 85.78%
Airbnb Chicago
Chicago continues to have on of the top Airbnb Occupancy Rates. Hosting on Airbnb has helped Chicagoans pay for nearly all of their just by listing a room on Airbnb. The city welcomes 8 million tourists every year and provides fun for all ages. The Lincoln Park Zoo and Navy Pier are family favorites and adults enjoy the many museums, galleries, and nightlife options.
Chicago has everything one could possibly want – nightlife, beautiful skyscraper architecture, beaches, festivals, art, and iconic foods. Peak season in Chicago is from July to September. However, the Chicago Marathon and Chicago Underground Film Festival both occur in March and attract visitors from all over the U.S., which means a peak for Airbnb hosts during low-season.
Chicago Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 62.71%
Top Neighborhood: Fulton River District, 74.82%
Related: 5 Reasons Why Chicago is Top Airbnb City
Airbnb Denver
Denver is a hub for nature-lovers. The Rocky Mountains serve the ultimate outdoor activities in the winter and summer. In 2014, Rocky Mountain National Park had 3.4 million visitors.The city also has famous museums and four sports teams. Coors Field stadium is home to the Colorado Rockies baseball club, which is one of the main attractions in Denver. The sports games are great opportunities to host travelers when they’re in town to see a game.
During Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor day, visitors go to the Rocky Mountains and camp out. For those who don’t camp but visit the Rocky Mountains, visitors can stay at Airbnb listings instead.
Denver Airbnb Occupancy Rate: 70.61%
Top Neighborhood: Central Business District, 78.41%
Search for Airbnb occupancy rates and top Airbnb neighborhoods for other cities on Mashvisor.
