Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Christchurch? 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 Christchurch:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Christchurch?
The short-term rental market in Christchurch 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 $1,839 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,772 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $3,868+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $929
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Christchurch
The market in Christchurch 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 59% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 78% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 89%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 33%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Christchurch
Daily rates in Christchurch 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 $89 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $131 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $188+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $57
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Christchurch
Peak Season (December, November, March)
- Revenue peaks at $2423.01 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 66.44%
- Daily rates average $124.89
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2075.68 per month
- Occupancy maintains 54.63%
- Daily rates hold at $109.56
Low Season (July, September, August)
- Revenue drops to $1490.49 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 42.00%
- Daily rates adjust to $102.09
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Christchurch in 2025?
Yes! Christchurch demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 55% and solid monthly revenue averaging $2076 and As a mature market with 1863 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. 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 (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Christchurch
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Cashmere | A scenic suburb known for its stunning views of the Southern Alps and proximity to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. It's a quiet area perfect for families and tourists looking for a peaceful retreat while still being close to the city. | Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Cashmere Hills, Hagley Park, Holly Road Reserve, Victoria Park |
| Sumner | A coastal suburb with beautiful beaches and a vibrant community feel. It's popular with surfers and beach lovers, and attracts visitors looking for a laid-back coastal experience. | Sumner Beach, Cave Rock, Shag Rock, Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club, The Esplanade |
| Merivale | An upscale suburb known for its boutique shopping, dining options, and proximity to the city center. It's an attractive area for business travelers and those seeking a more luxurious stay. | Merivale Mall, Papanui Road eateries, Riccarton Bush, St Mary's Church, The Elmwood Club |
| New Brighton | A seaside suburb with a long beach and a vibrant atmosphere. Great for families and those looking to enjoy water sports and beachfront activities. | New Brighton Beach, New Brighton Pier, New Brighton Market, Bottle Lake Forest Park, Oceanside shopping precinct |
| Lyttelton | A historic port town known for its picturesque harbor and artisan community. Offers a unique experience away from the bustle of Christchurch city with charming shops and eateries. | Lyttelton Harbour, Lyttelton Farmers' Market, Godley Head, The Port Hills, The Lyttelton Timeball Station |
| Harewood | A suburban area close to the airport and easy access to the city. Great for those traveling for business or looking for convenience and family-friendly amenities. | Papanui High School, Harewood Golf Club, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Northlands Mall, Travis Wetlands |
| Central Christchurch | The heart of the city, vibrant with cultural attractions, dining, and entertainment options. Perfect for visitors wishing to experience the city life. | Christchurch Art Gallery, Cathedral Square, The Cardboard Cathedral, New Regent Street, Avon River |
| St. Albans | A diverse suburb with a mix of residential and commercial spaces. Popular for its proximity to amenities and local parks, appealing to families and young professionals alike. | Abberley Park, St Albans Park, Edgeware Village, The Colombo, St. Albans Church |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Christchurch?
We recommend checking directly with Christchurch'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 Christchurch
Beautiful Central City Villa - Whole House
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Two townhouses together - large group
Entire Place • 10 bedrooms
Bond Estate Luxury Accommodation Christchurch
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Luxury 4 bedroom house in central city 5 star
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Walk to Riverside Market: 4 bed 4 bath w/ Car Park
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Bel Air Residence - Sleeps 15
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Christchurch
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carebnb | 112 | $3,847,577 | 6965 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Ohana | 67 | $2,667,724 | 11133 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Lexia | 61 | $1,468,205 | 6086 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Paula Kat Charlotte | 52 | $1,333,474 | 1087 | 4.77/5.0 |
| Mayie, Judi And Karen At Booka | 39 | $1,236,812 | 1662 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Lily-SimplyHost | 50 | $1,225,793 | 2596 | 4.86/5.0 |
| Perfect Stays | 24 | $962,248 | 551 | 4.48/5.0 |
| Kerry | 21 | $784,399 | 649 | 4.62/5.0 |
| Min | 36 | $715,814 | 4349 | 4.86/5.0 |
| Maggie | 28 | $566,969 | 1434 | 4.35/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Christchurch
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 (76.8%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 85.5% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (5.3% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,863 properties in Christchurch shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 31.5% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 62.5% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (31.5%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2%)
- Market concentration: 62.5% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,863 properties in Christchurch reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 25.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.6 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 47.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (25.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.1% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.6 guests per property
- Market concentration: 47.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 1,863 properties in Christchurch, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (30.1% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (29.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (30.1%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (29.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 47.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 53.1%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
1035 listings
62.6% of total
2 Nights
382 listings
23.1% of total
3 Nights
78 listings
4.7% of total
4-6 Nights
54 listings
3.3% of total
7-29 Nights
36 listings
2.2% of total
30+ Nights
69 listings
4.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 85.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 3.3% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (4.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 90.4% 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
Super Strict 30 Days
2 listings
0.1% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
1 listings
0.1% of total
Flexible
451 listings
27.4% of total
Moderate
759 listings
46.2% of total
Firm
248 listings
15.1% of total
Strict
183 listings
11.1% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 46.2% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 73.6% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.1% 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 Dec, Mar, Jan, averaging 64 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Sep, Aug, averaging 44 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 63 days, while Summer has the shortest at 47 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 63 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Aug when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Christchurch
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Christchurch:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 47.7% of total guests, indicating a significant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Australia (18%) and United States (11.6%)
- English is the top language at 71.6%, followed by Chinese (12.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Auckland and Wellington markets
- Develop localized content for Australia and United States
- Prioritize English and Chinese 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 Christchurch. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury | 11 | $3,354 | $219.05 | 47% |
| Prebbleton | 13 | $2,947 | $170.17 | 50% |
| Hanmer Springs | 277 | $2,330 | $253.79 | 35% |
| Castle Hill Village | 13 | $2,256 | $174.26 | 51% |
| Waipara | 10 | $2,186 | $252.97 | 37% |
| Kaikōura | 275 | $1,995 | $173.46 | 42% |
| Fox River | 13 | $1,952 | $116.57 | 53% |
| Barrytown | 13 | $1,934 | $129.67 | 46% |
| Methven | 100 | $1,879 | $170.46 | 42% |
| Punakaiki | 32 | $1,801 | $151.10 | 45% |
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