Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Gulf Shores? 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 Gulf Shores:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Gulf Shores?
The short-term rental market in Gulf Shores 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 $3,219 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,537 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $8,769+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,600
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Gulf Shores
The market in Gulf Shores 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 34% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 58% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 76%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 17%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Gulf Shores
Daily rates in Gulf Shores 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 $254 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $349 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $529+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $186
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Gulf Shores
Peak Season (June, July, May)
- Revenue peaks at $7297.49 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 58.27%
- Daily rates average $382.17
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4330.33 per month
- Occupancy maintains 38.39%
- Daily rates hold at $311.30
Low Season (November, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $2120.71 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 24.07%
- Daily rates adjust to $261.81
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Gulf Shores in 2025?
Yes! Gulf Shores demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 38% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4330 and As a mature market with 4148 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 (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Gulf Shores
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| West Beach | A prime beachfront area known for its beautiful white sand beaches and family-friendly atmosphere. It offers direct access to the water and is close to various restaurants and attractions, making it a popular spot for tourists. | Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf State Park, Waterville USA, West Beach Villas, Blue Lagoon |
| Orange Beach | Adjacent to Gulf Shores, this area is noted for its beautiful resorts and family-oriented activities. This location is favored by tourists for its scenic beaches and recreational options such as water sports and fishing. | Orange Beach Marina, Gulf State Park Fishing Pier, The Wharf, Adventure Island, Cotton Bayou Beach |
| Fort Morgan | A more secluded area with a relaxed vibe, perfect for vacationers looking to escape the crowds. It combines historical significance with natural beauty, offering a unique stay experience. | Fort Morgan Historic Site, Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Shores National Park |
| Lyons Park | A charming neighborhood offering proximity to both beach activities and local culture. It's a desirable location for families and those seeking a quieter beach experience. | Gulf Shores Golf Club, Waterville USA, Gulf Shores Museum, Gulf State Park, The Hangout |
| East Beach | Known for its quieter atmosphere, this area attracts those looking for relaxation. It is perfect for families and offers beautiful beachfront views. | East Beach Gulf Shores, Dolphin Cruises, Gulf Shores Fishing Pier, Zooland Animal Park, Hurricane Anna's |
| The Loop | A unique area that offers a blend of beach access and local charm, The Loop is great for visitors who want a taste of the community as well as sightseeing. | The Loop Beach, Local shops and restaurants, Dolphin watching tours, Lighthouse Park, Gulf Shores Sportsplex |
| Gulf Shores State Park | A vast area with natural beauty, offering outdoor activities and camping options. This attracts visitors interested in nature and eco-tourism. | Gulf Shores State Park Beach, Hiking and biking trails, Birdwatching, Camping sites, Nature center |
| Little Lagoon | A serene location ideal for water sports enthusiasts and those who love kayaking and fishing. It provides a peaceful alternative to the busier beach areas. | Little Lagoon, Kayaking and paddle boarding, Fishing spots, Public beaches nearby, Scenic views |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Gulf Shores?
We recommend checking directly with Gulf Shores'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 Gulf Shores
BellaVista - 8Beds Hosted by Luxury Gulf Rentals
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Beach*Prv Pool*We Price Match*Arcades*Lux Services
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Beachfront 8 Bed- Private Heated Pool!
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
ShipFaced Beach House-HUGE 10BR w/Pool!
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
"Seaside East" Gulf Front,Private Pool.
Entire Place • 12 bedrooms
Free Heated Pool Discounts 6bd/4ba Steps2Beach
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Gulf Shores
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prickett | 107 | $6,582,083 | 327 | 2.08/5.0 |
| Sandy Shores | 225 | $4,906,044 | 1183 | 3.35/5.0 |
| ITrip | 94 | $4,245,214 | 1462 | 4.39/5.0 |
| Young'S | 176 | $4,154,945 | 1853 | 4.28/5.0 |
| Beachball | 152 | $4,087,973 | 807 | 3.43/5.0 |
| Vacasa Alabama | 238 | $3,363,429 | 5029 | 4.25/5.0 |
| Elizabeth | 56 | $3,284,617 | 471 | 4.50/5.0 |
| Vacasa Gulf Shores | 100 | $3,254,537 | 1548 | 4.55/5.0 |
| Bender | 120 | $3,194,711 | 330 | 2.21/5.0 |
| Vacasa Alabama | 113 | $2,636,342 | 1838 | 4.12/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Gulf Shores
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 (99.7%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 99.3% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, boutique & hotels, others segments (0.6% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 4,148 properties in Gulf Shores shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 41.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms together representing 64.7% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (41.7%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (8.4%)
- Market concentration: 64.7% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 4,148 properties in Gulf Shores reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 44.9% of all listings. The average property accommodates 6.6 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 81.4% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (44.9% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 6.6 guests per property
- Market concentration: 81.4% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 4,148 properties in Gulf Shores, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (47.2% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (31.8% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (47.2%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (31.8%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 78.5%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 23.2%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
558 listings
14.8% of total
2 Nights
1214 listings
32.2% of total
3 Nights
1203 listings
31.9% of total
4-6 Nights
205 listings
5.4% of total
7-29 Nights
82 listings
2.2% of total
30+ Nights
506 listings
13.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 47.0%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 5.4% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (13.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 78.9% 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
Super Strict 30 Days
468 listings
13.5% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
114 listings
3.3% of total
Flexible
118 listings
3.4% of total
Moderate
1001 listings
28.9% of total
Firm
758 listings
21.9% of total
Strict
1000 listings
28.9% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 28.9% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (32.3%) and strict (50.8%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 3.3% 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
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in May, Jun, Feb, averaging 88 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Sep, Aug, Dec, averaging 56 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 81 days, while Fall has the shortest at 65 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 81 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Sep-Dec when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Gulf Shores
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Gulf Shores:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 99.3% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (0.2%) and United Kingdom (0.1%)
- English is the top language at 88.7%, followed by Spanish (9%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.3%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Birmingham and Atlanta markets
- Develop localized content for Canada and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and Spanish 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 Gulf Shores. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inlet Beach | 73 | $5,404 | $458.66 | 41% |
| Seaside | 597 | $5,193 | $701.47 | 35% |
| Seacrest Beach | 354 | $5,170 | $527.64 | 40% |
| Watersound | 83 | $4,738 | $411.58 | 40% |
| Rosemary Beach | 520 | $4,704 | $565.99 | 37% |
| Santa Rosa Beach | 2,768 | $4,183 | $453.34 | 39% |
| Walton County | 91 | $3,804 | $485.05 | 36% |
| Destin | 3,780 | $3,450 | $376.25 | 38% |
| Pensacola Beach | 847 | $3,409 | $372.98 | 39% |
| Fairhope | 187 | $3,342 | $260.65 | 44% |
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