Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Waterloo? 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 Waterloo:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Waterloo?
The short-term rental market in Waterloo 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 $1,059 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,956 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,916+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $555
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Waterloo
The market in Waterloo 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 47% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 73% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 88%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 21%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Waterloo
Daily rates in Waterloo 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 $69 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $94 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $149+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $42
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Waterloo
Peak Season (June, April, March)
- Revenue peaks at $1768.36 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 57.24%
- Daily rates average $90.03
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1470.59 per month
- Occupancy maintains 47.84%
- Daily rates hold at $84.74
Low Season (December, October, January)
- Revenue drops to $921.69 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 40.46%
- Daily rates adjust to $80.24
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Waterloo in 2025?
Yes! Waterloo demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 48% and monthly revenue averaging $1471 and With 322 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 Waterloo
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Uptown Waterloo | A vibrant and growing neighborhood known for its lively atmosphere, shops, and restaurants. It's popular with visitors for its accessibility and proximity to the University of Waterloo. | Waterloo Park, Perimeter Institute, University of Waterloo, Hippie Market, The Clay & Glass Gallery |
| Downtown Waterloo | The urban center of the city, featuring a mix of historic and modern architecture. This area is thriving with cultural attractions, making it an ideal spot for short-term rentals. | Waterloo Public Square, The Museum, Schneider Haus, Silversmith Brewing Company, City of Waterloo Public Library |
| Westmount | A family-friendly residential area that offers a suburban feel while still being close to urban amenities. Great for longer stays and appealing to families and businesspeople. | Westmount Golf & Country Club, Sindh Muslim Association Mosque, Westmount Park, The Boardwalk, Parkdale Park |
| Laurelwood | Known for its beautiful parks and community amenities, this neighborhood attracts visitors looking for a quieter stay with access to nature and local shops. | Laurelwood Nature Area, Bechtel Park, Greenwood Park, Laurelwood Village, Waterloo Skating Centre |
| King Street | This bustling corridor is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes, attracting university students and young professionals. Ideal for those wanting to experience the local community. | The Walper Hotel, Crown Victoria, The Princess Cinemas, King Street Theatre |
| Sugarbush Park | A peaceful, scenic area that is ideal for nature lovers and families. It provides a serene atmosphere yet remains close to the city's attractions. | Sugarbush Park, Greenbriar Park, Conestogo River, scenic trails |
| Columbia Lake | This area features a picturesque lake, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for a relaxing escape. It's also near the university, drawing in students. | Columbia Lake, Lake access for kayaks and canoes, University of Waterloo nearby, Walking trails |
| The Boardwalk | An upscale shopping area that combines retail with entertainment, the Boardwalk draws many visitors and locals alike, making it popular among short-term rental guests. | Restaurants and cafes, Cineplex Cinemas, The Boardwalk shopping centre, Parks and trails nearby |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Waterloo?
We recommend checking directly with Waterloo'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 Waterloo
16 Guest Uptown Waterloo Home (House+Lower Suite)
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
The Glass House custom 4 bedroom Home
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
5 Bedrooms - spacious house in Waterloo
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Spacious 3-bedroom w parking, fast WIFI & king bed
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
10 guest Uptown Waterloo Home
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Book Our Luxury Home - 5 mins to RIM Park/St Jacob
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Waterloo
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JustLikeHome | 17 | $180,504 | 592 | 4.87/5.0 |
| 236968712 | 3 | $165,743 | 89 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Guan | 4 | $148,415 | 134 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Laura | 19 | $139,100 | 559 | 4.65/5.0 |
| Carol | 14 | $86,609 | 248 | 4.55/5.0 |
| Jewels | 4 | $84,068 | 208 | 3.71/5.0 |
| Tracey & Aahil | 3 | $75,936 | 132 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Mg | 2 | $67,541 | 82 | 4.65/5.0 |
| Ana | 2 | $62,561 | 180 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Michael | 4 | $61,306 | 279 | 4.75/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Waterloo
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 (57.1%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 93.2% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels segments (0.3% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 322 properties in Waterloo shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 35.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 52.8% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (35.7%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.2%)
- Market concentration: 52.8% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 322 properties in Waterloo reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 18.9% of all listings. The average property accommodates 2.7 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 33.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (18.9% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 2.7 guests per property
- Market concentration: 33.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 322 properties in Waterloo, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (44.7% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (28% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (44.7%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (28%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 71.1%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 31.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
102 listings
38.5% of total
2 Nights
55 listings
20.8% of total
3 Nights
21 listings
7.9% of total
4-6 Nights
19 listings
7.2% of total
7-29 Nights
47 listings
17.7% of total
30+ Nights
21 listings
7.9% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 59.3%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 7.2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (7.9%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 67.2% 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
48 listings
19.3% of total
Moderate
93 listings
37.3% of total
Firm
36 listings
14.5% of total
Strict
72 listings
28.9% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 37.3% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (56.6%) and strict (43.4%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Firm policies are least common at 14.5% 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 Apr, Nov, Dec, averaging 54 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jan, Jul, Feb, averaging 36 days
- Fall shows the longest average booking window at 48 days, while Winter has the shortest at 40 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Fall bookings at least 48 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jan-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Waterloo
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Waterloo:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 77.7% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (11.2%) and China (2%)
- English is the top language at 71.8%, followed by French (11.7%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 8.3%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Toronto and Waterloo markets
- Develop localized content for United States and China
- 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 Waterloo. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East Township | 33 | $3,856 | $266.39 | 49% |
| Niagara-on-the-Lake | 423 | $3,536 | $270.29 | 44% |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville | 41 | $3,530 | $261.10 | 40% |
| Village of Bemus Point | 19 | $3,266 | $287.45 | 44% |
| Town of Stockton | 16 | $3,260 | $231.31 | 47% |
| Springwater | 49 | $3,175 | $286.57 | 42% |
| Severn | 156 | $3,110 | $318.68 | 39% |
| Town of Lewiston | 67 | $3,017 | $246.08 | 42% |
| Mulmur | 43 | $2,998 | $279.27 | 43% |
| Brockton | 11 | $2,970 | $210.12 | 50% |
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