Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Thunder Bay? 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 Thunder Bay:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Thunder Bay?
The short-term rental market in Thunder Bay 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 $1,641 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,476 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $3,346+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $904
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Thunder Bay
The market in Thunder Bay 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 58% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 77% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 89%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 32%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Thunder Bay
Daily rates in Thunder Bay 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 $85 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $112 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $143+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $60
Daily Rate Variations by Month
Get Live Thunder Bay Market Intelligence 👇
Explore Real-time Analytics
Seasonality patterns in Thunder Bay
Peak Season (August, June, July)
- Revenue peaks at $2109.72 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 69.43%
- Daily rates average $93.19
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1823.25 per month
- Occupancy maintains 54.18%
- Daily rates hold at $90.90
Low Season (February, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1396.73 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 43.39%
- Daily rates adjust to $86.88
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Thunder Bay in 2025?
Yes! Thunder Bay demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 54% and solid monthly revenue averaging $1823 and With 268 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 Thunder Bay
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfront District | The Waterfront District is a vibrant area in Thunder Bay that features beautiful views of the water and is close to many local attractions. It's ideal for guests who enjoy nature, dining, and shopping. | Thunder Bay Marina, The Bight, Prince Arthur's Landing, Thunder Bay Museum, The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail |
| Port Arthur | Port Arthur is known for its rich history and charming downtown area, making it popular among tourists who appreciate heritage and local culture. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to explore. | Fort William Historical Park, The Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Port Arthur Little Theatre, Local boutiques and cafes |
| North Ward | This area is close to parks and beautiful riverside trails, making it attractive for outdoor enthusiasts and families. It has a friendly neighborhood vibe. | Chippewa Park, Mount McKay, The Strathcona Golf Course, Local parks and recreation trails |
| Brooks Street | Known for its proximity to schools and parks, this residential area appeals to families looking for a quiet stay with access to community amenities. | Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Riverside Park, Local community events |
| East End | The East End is a growing neighborhood with a mix of urban conveniences and family-friendly environments, making it ideal for diverse guest profiles. | Local shopping centers, Parks and green spaces, Nearby schools and community facilities |
| South Side | The South Side neighborhoods are known for their community spirit and accessibility to the city center, making it a great choice for visitors looking for a local experience. | Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, The Volunteer Pool, Local shops and eateries |
| Shuniah | A suburban area that provides a peaceful retreat close to nature, perfect for outdoor adventurers who want to explore the nearby wilderness. | Pigeon River Provincial Park, Lake Superior, Outdoor adventure trails |
| Westfort | This neighborhood has a charming village feel with local shops and historic architecture. It's great for those looking to experience everyday life in Thunder Bay. | Westfort Village, Local restaurants and cafes, Community events and fairs |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Thunder Bay?
We recommend checking directly with Thunder Bay's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Thunder Bay
Hosta HAÜS (5 bed, 2 bath)
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
3 bed, 3 bath home, sleeps 8
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
*Bring the Family* with no cleaning fee
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
3br house. Fast Wi-fi. 4 car parking. No stairs!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Villa Garofalo, newly renovated semi detached home
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Modern 3-Bedroom Home
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Thunder Bay
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell | 22 | $454,206 | 1396 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Sleeping Giant BNB | 6 | $158,849 | 120 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Rachel | 5 | $150,007 | 1517 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Jon | 4 | $106,540 | 149 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Robyn | 2 | $98,868 | 24 | 4.62/5.0 |
| Jenna | 5 | $93,669 | 1107 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Cynthia | 9 | $77,594 | 161 | 4.85/5.0 |
| C | 4 | $72,523 | 135 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Cedar And Stone | 4 | $71,254 | 216 | 4.55/5.0 |
| Nadia | 7 | $69,093 | 1847 | 4.81/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Thunder Bay
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 (76.9%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 84.7% of inventory
- Untapped potential in unique stays, outdoor & mobile segments (0.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 268 properties in Thunder Bay shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 38.1% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 62.7% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (38.1%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.5%)
- Market concentration: 62.7% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 268 properties in Thunder Bay reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 27.6% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.4 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 52.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (27.6% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.4 guests per property
- Market concentration: 52.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 268 properties in Thunder Bay, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (31.7% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (31.7% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (31.7%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (31.7%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 55.2%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 46.3%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
92 listings
40.7% of total
2 Nights
77 listings
34.1% of total
3 Nights
31 listings
13.7% of total
4-6 Nights
10 listings
4.4% of total
7-29 Nights
6 listings
2.7% of total
30+ Nights
10 listings
4.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 74.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 4.4% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (4.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 88.5% 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
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
68 listings
29.3% of total
Moderate
78 listings
33.6% of total
Firm
32 listings
13.8% of total
Strict
54 listings
23.3% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 33.6% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 62.9% of the market
- Firm policies are least common at 13.8% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Moderate policy to align with market preferences
- 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, Jun, Aug, averaging 50 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Mar, Apr, averaging 31 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 50 days, while Spring has the shortest at 34 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 50 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Spring to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Apr when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Thunder Bay
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Thunder Bay:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 83.3% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (13.3%) and United Kingdom (0.7%)
- English is the top language at 78.1%, followed by French (12.4%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.9%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Toronto and Winnipeg 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 Thunder Bay. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tofte | 14 | $5,674 | $492.98 | 37% |
| Lutsen | 12 | $5,638 | $395.13 | 48% |
| Schroeder | 10 | $5,376 | $418.82 | 52% |
| Dollar Bay | 12 | $4,464 | $261.08 | 51% |
| West Cook | 112 | $4,253 | $341.18 | 46% |
| Lutsen Township | 173 | $4,208 | $402.80 | 38% |
| Tofte Township | 43 | $4,044 | $276.85 | 50% |
| Grand Marais | 58 | $3,829 | $273.99 | 50% |
| Allouez Township | 18 | $3,571 | $306.88 | 42% |
| East Cook | 45 | $3,224 | $238.78 | 52% |
How is your STR performing?
Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Enjoy the best-in-class AI-powered analytics for free!
Discover Insights