Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Nelson? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Nelson:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Nelson?
The short-term rental market in Nelson shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $1,946 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,078 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $4,415+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,148
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Nelson
The market in Nelson shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 54% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 73% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 85%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 32%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Nelson
Daily rates in Nelson vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $117 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $167 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $217+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $85
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Nelson
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue peaks at $3160.91 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 72.34%
- Daily rates average $144.53
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2332.57 per month
- Occupancy maintains 52.08%
- Daily rates hold at $137.39
Low Season (December, April, November)
- Revenue drops to $1763.56 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 38.87%
- Daily rates adjust to $129.33
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Nelson in 2025?
Yes! Nelson demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 52% and solid monthly revenue averaging $2333 and The market's 171 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Nelson
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Nelson | Vibrant cultural hub of Nelson with historic buildings, shops, and restaurants. Ideal for tourists wanting to explore local art and dining. | Baker Street, Nelson Museum, Historic City Hall, The Capitol Theatre, Local boutiques and cafes |
| Kootenay Lake | Stunning natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Perfect for visitors interested in water activities and outdoor adventures. | Kootenay Lake Provincial Park, Water sports rentals, Scenic beaches, Hiking trails, Fishing spots |
| Fairview | A charming residential area with a local feel, often less crowded yet close to amenities. Attractive for longer-term stays and families. | Local parks, Community events, Quiet streets, Family-friendly environment |
| Blewett | Just outside of Nelson, this area offers a more rural experience with access to nature and tranquility. Great for nature lovers and retreat seekers. | Outdoor recreation, Mountain views, Hiking trails, Wildlife viewing |
| Whitewater Ski Resort | Renowned ski destination attracting winter sports enthusiasts. A great option for those looking for a seasonal rental. | Skiing and snowboarding, Mountain biking in summer, Scenic chairlift rides |
| Harrop-Procter | A small, peaceful area on the west shore of Kootenay Lake, popular for those seeking a serene getaway or nature retreat. | Harrop Procter Ferry, Outdoor activities, Lakeside views, Community events |
| Nelson Airport | Convenient access for travelers flying into the area. Ideal for short stays and those seeking easy transport options. | Proximity to Nelson, Air travel access, Business travelers |
| Seven Summits | An excellent area for outdoor enthusiasts with access to mountain trails and stunning views. Great for hikers and bikers. | Seven Summits Trail, Mountain biking, Hiking, Nature photography opportunities |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Nelson?
Yes, Nelson requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 77% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Nelson
Scenic Lakeside Retreat in Nelson B.C.
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Lamplighter Grand Loft - Walk Everywhere!
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
1898 - Beautifully Heritage Home
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Piano House New-Great home base for a family trip.
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
All Seasons Getaway - with central A/C
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
The Royal Penthouse
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Nelson
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chara | 2 | $118,776 | 601 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Heather | 3 | $102,247 | 182 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Cary And Kelli | 1 | $101,352 | 48 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Pat And Sue | 2 | $92,278 | 248 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Marika | 9 | $89,238 | 76 | 4.44/5.0 |
| Chad | 2 | $83,375 | 270 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Brooke | 2 | $78,308 | 413 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Kristin | 1 | $73,294 | 34 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Lex | 2 | $71,531 | 372 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Faune | 4 | $70,871 | 746 | 4.88/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Nelson
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (84.2%), with house and others properties comprising 61.4% of inventory
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 171 properties in Nelson shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 46.8% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 76.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (46.8%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (0.6%)
- Market concentration: 76.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 171 properties in Nelson reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 42.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.7 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 68.4% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (42.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.7 guests per property
- Market concentration: 68.4% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 171 properties in Nelson, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (32.2% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (31% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (32.2%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (31%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 57.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 43.3%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
30 listings
19.7% of total
2 Nights
72 listings
47.4% of total
3 Nights
21 listings
13.8% of total
4-6 Nights
6 listings
3.9% of total
7-29 Nights
3 listings
2% of total
30+ Nights
20 listings
13.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 67.1%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 3.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (13.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 80.9% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
26 listings
16.5% of total
Moderate
64 listings
40.5% of total
Firm
47 listings
29.7% of total
Strict
21 listings
13.3% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 40.5% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (57.0%) and strict (43.0%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Strict policies are least common at 13.3% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Feb, Jun, averaging 78 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Apr, Oct, Nov, averaging 38 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 74 days, while Fall has the shortest at 40 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 74 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Apr-Nov when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Nelson
Every property in Nelson comes standard with Smoke alarm, and Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 65.4% of total guests, indicating a significant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (28.6%) and United Kingdom (2.3%)
- English is the top language at 76.4%, followed by French (12.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Calgary and Spokane markets
- Develop localized content for United States and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and French language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Nelson. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagle | 95 | $4,183 | $423.99 | 42% |
| Cocolalla | 11 | $3,434 | $369.69 | 40% |
| Priest Lake | 23 | $3,378 | $333.72 | 40% |
| Newport | 29 | $3,326 | $249.94 | 48% |
| Revelstoke | 275 | $2,796 | $242.42 | 46% |
| Ponderay | 20 | $2,786 | $217.55 | 46% |
| Coolin | 24 | $2,722 | $399.19 | 36% |
| Area B (Shelter Bay/Mica Creek) | 74 | $2,711 | $299.13 | 40% |
| Nordman | 13 | $2,708 | $314.94 | 39% |
| Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake) | 417 | $2,636 | $229.37 | 44% |
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