Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Carlsbad, California, United States

Last updated: 2025-01-31

Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Carlsbad? 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 Carlsbad:

Average Daily Rate
$383
Occupancy Rate
46.96%
Annual Revenue
$53,454
Revenue Growth YoY
7.97%
Best Month
July
Worst Month
January
Regulation
High
Active Listings
607

How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Carlsbad?

The short-term rental market in Carlsbad 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 $4,802 per month
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $8,431 or more
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $13,464+ monthly
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $2,563

Revenue Variations by Month

Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Carlsbad

The market in Carlsbad 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 53% occupancy rates
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 72% or higher
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 86%+occupancy
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 27%

Occupancy Variations by Month

Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Carlsbad

Daily rates in Carlsbad 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 $284 per night
  • Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $447 or more
  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $678+ per night
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $180

Daily Rate Variations by Month

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Seasonality patterns in Carlsbad

Peak Season (July, June, August)
  • Revenue peaks at $9535.40 per month
  • Occupancy rates reach 67.44%
  • Daily rates average $394.72
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $6478.55 per month
  • Occupancy maintains 50.66%
  • Daily rates hold at $368.32
Low Season (February, December, January)
  • Revenue drops to $4342.01 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to 39.04%
  • Daily rates adjust to $342.95

Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Carlsbad in 2025?

Yes! Carlsbad demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 51% and strong monthly revenue averaging $6479 and As a mature market with 607 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 Carlsbad

AreaWhy Choose This AreaKey Attractions
Carlsbad Village
Charming downtown area known for its shops, restaurants, and beach accessibility. Perfect for tourists seeking a local vibe and proximity to attractions.
Carlsbad State Beach, Carlsbad Village Art & Food Tour, Legoland California, The Flower Fields, Windmill Food Hall
South Carlsbad State Beach
Beautiful beachfront area that attracts sunbathers and surfers alike. A prime location for vacation rentals with stunning ocean views.
South Carlsbad State Beach, Carlsbad Lagoon, Ponto Beach, Oceanside Pier, Surf lessons
La Costa
Upscale residential area known for its luxury resorts and golf courses. Ideal for those seeking a tranquil getaway with plenty of amenities.
La Costa Resort and Spa, The Crossings at Carlsbad, Batiquitos Lagoon, Poinsettia Park, Golf courses
Calavera Hills
Great residential neighborhood with parks and scenic views, appealing to families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a quieter stay.
Calavera Nature Preserve, Calavera Hills Community Park, golf courses, walking trails, local shops and eateries
Aviara
Exclusive coastal neighborhood with luxury homes and resorts. Perfect for high-end Airbnb listings near the beach.
Aviara Golf Club, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Aviara Community Park, Batiquitos Lagoon, coastal trails
Old Carlsbad
Quaint historic district with a mix of boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. Attractive for those wanting to experience the local culture.
Carlsbad Historical Society, Old Carlsbad Village, restaurants and cafes, art galleries, Carlsbad Farmer's Market
Carlsbad Ranch
Surrounding agricultural areas known for flower fields and organic farms, attracting those interested in nature and outdoor activities.
The Flower Fields, Carlsbad Strawberry Company, Rancho Carlsbad Golf Club, Carlsbad Aquafarm, seasonal events
North Beach
Residential area with beautiful ocean views and access to beaches. Ideal for vacationers seeking a peaceful beach experience.
North Beach, Tamarack Surf Beach, Carlsbad Beach, Coastal Rail Trail, local dining options

Do you need a license for Airbnb in Carlsbad?

Most likely, Carlsbad requires a license for Airbnb operations. With 35% of current listings showing licensing information, we recommend checking Carlsbad's short-term rental regulations and starting the licensing process before listing your property.

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Carlsbad

Oceanfront | Private Beach & Patio | Rare Find

Oceanfront | Private Beach & Patio | Rare Find

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$354,875
Revenue
64.7%
Occupancy
$1202.18
Daily Rate
Luxury Beachfront Villa - Sand Suite

Luxury Beachfront Villa - Sand Suite

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$339,481
Revenue
28.8%
Occupancy
$2057.84
Daily Rate
Contemporary Tamarack Getaway: Ocean Views & Spa!

Contemporary Tamarack Getaway: Ocean Views & Spa!

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$308,216
Revenue
72.5%
Occupancy
$961.97
Daily Rate
Tropical Oasis Beach Compound-3 unit-walk to beach

Tropical Oasis Beach Compound-3 unit-walk to beach

Entire Place • 6 bedrooms

$277,082
Revenue
63.0%
Occupancy
$1011.26
Daily Rate
Oceanfront | Private Beach Access | BBQ | Sonos

Oceanfront | Private Beach Access | BBQ | Sonos

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$269,244
Revenue
50.0%
Occupancy
$1404.49
Daily Rate
TheFarmHouz/LuXury/Modern/1.2ac/Central/+2CaSitas

TheFarmHouz/LuXury/Modern/1.2ac/Central/+2CaSitas

Entire Place • 7 bedrooms

$266,062
Revenue
36.2%
Occupancy
$3209.36
Daily Rate

Top Performing Professional Hosts in Carlsbad

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
Haustay Vacation Rentals33$3,331,19812594.44/5.0
Judy9$1,200,4838724.97/5.0
Ocean Villas10$1,147,498373.34/5.0
Sea Breeze12$1,095,09222404.79/5.0
Vacation In15$784,8685854.91/5.0
Kimberly6$645,1293424.89/5.0
Cindy14$531,3442024.81/5.0
Brenda2$515,467795.00/5.0
Beach Palms8$477,41311564.87/5.0
Seaside Village9$419,7329424.91/5.0

Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Carlsbad

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 (88.8%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 83.5% of inventory
  • Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (5.5% combined)

Room Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 607 properties in Carlsbad shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 33.3% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 62.8% of all listings.

Key Insights

  • Most common: 1 bedroom (33.3%)
  • Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.3%)
  • Market concentration: 62.8% in top 2 sizes
  • Market skew: Favors smaller properties

Guest Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 607 properties in Carlsbad reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 17.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.7 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 8+ guests make up 33.8% of the market.

Key Insights

  • Most common capacity: 4 guests (17.1% of market)
  • Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.2% of market)
  • Average guest capacity: 4.7 guests per property
  • Market concentration: 33.8% in top 2 capacity sizes
  • Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities

Booking and Availability Patterns

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Among 607 properties in Carlsbad, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (36.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (27.2% of properties).

Key Insights

  • Most common availability window: 271-366 days (36.9%)
  • Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (27.2%)
  • Properties with high availability (180+ days): 62.1%
  • Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 39.0%

Minimum Stay Distributions

1 Night (12%)

1 Night

68 listings

12% of total

2 Nights (25.7%)

2 Nights

146 listings

25.7% of total

3 Nights (20.6%)

3 Nights

117 listings

20.6% of total

4-6 Nights (8.8%)

4-6 Nights

50 listings

8.8% of total

7-29 Nights (8.6%)

7-29 Nights

49 listings

8.6% of total

30+ Nights (24.3%)

30+ Nights

138 listings

24.3% of total

Key Insights

  • Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 37.7%
  • Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 8.8% of listings
  • Monthly+ stays (24.3%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
  • High market flexibility with 58.3% 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 60 Days (3.4%)

Super Strict 60 Days

17 listings

3.4% of total

Super Strict 30 Days (6.4%)

Super Strict 30 Days

32 listings

6.4% of total

Flexible (9.3%)

Flexible

47 listings

9.3% of total

Moderate (22.5%)

Moderate

113 listings

22.5% of total

Firm (25.6%)

Firm

129 listings

25.6% of total

Strict (32.8%)

Strict

165 listings

32.8% of total

Key Insights

  • Strict is the preferred policy at 32.8% of listings
  • The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (31.8%) and strict (58.4%) policies
  • Strong market consensus around Strict policies
  • Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 3.4% of listings

Recommendations

  • Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
  • Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline

Booking Lead Time Trends

Key Insights

  • Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Jun, Aug, averaging 88 days
  • Shortest booking windows are in Feb, Mar, Apr, averaging 56 days
  • Summer shows the longest average booking window at 88 days, while Spring has the shortest at 58 days

Recommendations

  • Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 88 days in advance
  • Consider early bird discounts during Spring to encourage longer lead times
  • Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Feb-Apr when lead times are shortest

Popular Airbnb Amenities in Carlsbad

Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Carlsbad:

Traveler Demographics

Guest Origin Distribution
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Age Distribution

Key Insights

  • Domestic travelers make up 95.8% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
  • Primary international markets: Canada (1.3%) and United Kingdom (0.6%)
  • English is the top language at 79.1%, followed by Spanish (14.7%)
  • Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.5%

Recommendations

  • Target marketing campaigns for Phoenix and Los Angeles 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 Carlsbad. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:

MarketPropertiesMonthly RevenueDaily RateOccupancy
Malibu351$12,187$1223.8443%
Rancho San Diego28$9,026$520.1253%
Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains154$8,301$656.4348%
Thousand Palms34$8,092$656.1241%
Del Mar108$7,629$627.1251%
GlenOak Hills38$7,543$595.8740%
Newport Beach1,268$7,104$643.6746%
Manhattan Beach232$7,054$486.6452%
Avalon218$6,867$634.6039%
Lakeside34$6,788$501.2051%

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