Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco? 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 San Francisco:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in San Francisco?
The short-term rental market in San Francisco 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 $2,790 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,912 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $8,293+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,369
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in San Francisco
The market in San Francisco 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 76% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 89%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 24%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in San Francisco
Daily rates in San Francisco 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 $161 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $272 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $444+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $103
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in San Francisco
Peak Season (July, September, May)
- Revenue peaks at $4234.68 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 56.60%
- Daily rates average $239.06
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3912.14 per month
- Occupancy maintains 50.87%
- Daily rates hold at $232.03
Low Season (December, February, January)
- Revenue drops to $3218.70 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 42.45%
- Daily rates adjust to $223.13
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in San Francisco in 2025?
Yes! San Francisco demonstrates strong year-round potential with stable demand, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 51% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3912 and As a mature market with 4301 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 San Francisco
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Mission District | A vibrant and artistic neighborhood known for its diverse culture, creative murals, and culinary scene. It's a favorite among young travelers looking for a local experience. | Dolores Park, Mission San Francisco de Asís, Clarion Alley, La Taqueria, Bi-Rite Creamery |
| Nob Hill | An upscale area known for its historic architecture and stunning views of the city. This location appeals to tourists wanting a classic San Francisco experience. | Grace Cathedral, Nob Hill Masonic Center, Cable Car Museum, Lombard Street |
| Fisherman's Wharf | A bustling waterfront area famous for its seafood restaurants and tourist attractions. Perfect for visitors seeking entertainment and picturesque views. | Pier 39, Sea Lion Center, Aquarium of the Bay, Ghirardelli Square, Boudin Bakery |
| South of Market (SoMa) | A tech hub filled with trendy restaurants, art galleries, and nightclubs. It's popular among younger visitors and professionals. | Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), AT&T Park, Yerba Buena Gardens, Tech Museum |
| Chinatown | One of the oldest and largest Chinatowns outside of Asia, offering a unique cultural experience with shopping, dining, and history. | Dragon Gate, Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, Chinatown Alleyways, Chinese Historical Society |
| Haight-Ashbury | Known for its role in the 1960s counterculture movement, this area is filled with eclectic shops and vibrant history, appealing to those interested in culture and music. | The Red Victorian, Haight Street, Golden Gate Park, John Lennon Memorial |
| North Beach | San Francisco's Little Italy, known for its rich history, Italian restaurants, and proximity to various attractions. It attracts food lovers and nightlife seekers. | Coit Tower, Washington Square Park, Molinari Delicatessen, The Beat Museum |
| Union Square | The main shopping and cultural district in San Francisco, ideal for tourists wanting to be in the heart of the city with access to major attractions. | Union Square Park, Westfield San Francisco Centre, Cable Car Turnaround, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in San Francisco?
Yes, San Francisco requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 60% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in San Francisco
Grand 4-Level Painted Lady Victorian with Parking
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
VIEWS + LUXURY + LOCATION = Unforgettable Stay
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
The Golden Peacock Palace in Marina District
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
The One on Marina Blvd
Private Room • 4 bedrooms
The Painted Man- SF Historic Victorian Mansion
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Historic & Charming Victorian Home | Sleeps 11
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in San Francisco
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri | 3 | $552,471 | 77 | 4.84/5.0 |
| David | 27 | $540,796 | 75 | 1.98/5.0 |
| Jacky | 4 | $524,975 | 69 | 4.83/5.0 |
| James | 3 | $494,558 | 154 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Jim | 23 | $473,338 | 753 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Simone | 2 | $467,464 | 477 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Michael | 23 | $465,157 | 417 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Kasa | 16 | $457,445 | 2025 | 4.32/5.0 |
| Live Suite | 28 | $455,284 | 62 | 1.18/5.0 |
| Marina Motel | 10 | $434,097 | 4032 | 4.75/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in San Francisco
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 (67.5%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 81.2% of inventory
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 4,301 properties in San Francisco shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 40.3% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 59.9% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (40.3%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.1%)
- Market concentration: 59.9% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 4,301 properties in San Francisco reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 30.7% of all listings. The average property accommodates 2.9 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 50.5% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (30.7% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.2% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 2.9 guests per property
- Market concentration: 50.5% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 4,301 properties in San Francisco, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (39.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (25.8% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (39.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (25.8%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 65.3%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 36.2%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
781 listings
20.4% of total
2 Nights
843 listings
22.1% of total
3 Nights
402 listings
10.5% of total
4-6 Nights
211 listings
5.5% of total
7-29 Nights
81 listings
2.1% of total
30+ Nights
1505 listings
39.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 42.5%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 5.5% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (39.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 53.0% 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
4 listings
0.1% of total
Refundable
4 listings
0.1% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
34 listings
0.9% of total
Non-refundable
2 listings
0.1% of total
Flexible
609 listings
16.4% of total
Moderate
1047 listings
28.2% of total
Firm
754 listings
20.3% of total
Strict
1259 listings
33.9% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 33.9% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (44.6%) and strict (54.2%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Non-refundable policies are least common at 0.1% 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, May, averaging 59 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Jan, Feb, averaging 42 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 59 days, while Winter has the shortest at 42 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 59 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in San Francisco
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in San Francisco:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 77.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (3.6%) and United Kingdom (3.5%)
- English is the top language at 66.3%, followed by Spanish (16.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.9%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for San Francisco and New York 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 San Francisco. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel Point | 14 | $17,197 | $1060.21 | 54% |
| Big Sur | 10 | $13,758 | $1307.48 | 49% |
| Del Monte Forest | 102 | $10,351 | $907.23 | 47% |
| Sonoma | 226 | $9,950 | $763.78 | 46% |
| Eldridge | 18 | $9,899 | $862.21 | 44% |
| Glen Ellen | 79 | $9,092 | $738.01 | 44% |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | 309 | $8,776 | $666.30 | 48% |
| Dillon Beach | 79 | $8,690 | $647.65 | 44% |
| Moss Beach | 35 | $8,668 | $635.23 | 51% |
| Kenwood | 55 | $8,081 | $707.34 | 40% |
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