Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in San Marcos, 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 Marcos? 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 Marcos:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in San Marcos?
The short-term rental market in San Marcos 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 $2,233 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,548 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $6,725+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,064
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in San Marcos
The market in San Marcos 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 45% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 67% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 83%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 24%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in San Marcos
Daily rates in San Marcos 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 $153 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $261 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $422+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $86
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in San Marcos
Peak Season (June, July, August)
- Revenue peaks at $4490.16 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 61.16%
- Daily rates average $221.17
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3277.53 per month
- Occupancy maintains 46.08%
- Daily rates hold at $204.10
Low Season (December, September, January)
- Revenue drops to $2255.71 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 38.27%
- Daily rates adjust to $191.20
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in San Marcos in 2025?
Yes! San Marcos demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 46% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3278 and With 95 active listings, this emerging market offers significant first-mover advantages. 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 Marcos
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Lake San Marcos | A serene, picturesque lake surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for families and outdoor activities. The area offers a peaceful retreat with opportunities for boating and fishing. | Lake San Marcos, San Marcos Golf Course, St. Mark Golf Club, Discovery Lake, Buena Vista Park |
| San Elijo Hills | A beautiful coastal community with stunning views, parks, and a quaint village atmosphere. Popular with families and those seeking a suburban lifestyle close to nature. | San Elijo Hills Park, Double Peak Park, San Elijo Town Center, Tennis courts, Walking trails |
| Old San Marcos | The historical part of San Marcos featuring charming shops and local eateries. Attracts visitors interested in the local culture and history. | Old Town San Marcos, San Marcos Historic District, Restaurants and Cafes, Local Art Shops, Nearby breweries |
| San Marcos Creek | A scenic neighborhood with access to hiking trails and the San Marcos Creek. Perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. | San Marcos Creek Trail, Woodland Park, Grape Day Park, Local wildlife, Nature preserves |
| Cal State San Marcos Area | Home to California State University, this area is vibrant with students and faculty. Great for renting to students or visitors to the university. | California State University San Marcos, University Village, Student events, Research facilities, Campus recreation |
| Richmar | A residential neighborhood that offers a mix of family homes and convenient amenities. This area is appealing for vacationers needing access to city conveniences while enjoying residential comforts. | Richmar Park, Local shopping centers, Family-friendly atmosphere, Proximity to highways, Community events |
| Rancho Dorado | A luxurious area with upscale homes and beautiful landscapes. Ideal for those looking to host high-end travelers seeking comfort and privacy. | Rancho Dorado Park, Luxury homes, Well-planned community, Scenic landscapes, Recreational facilities |
| Barham Place | A smaller neighborhood that offers a cozy atmosphere with local charm. Suitable for those looking for a quieter, more intimate Airbnb experience. | Local cafes and boutiques, Neighborhood parks, Community events, Quiet streets, Family-friendly environment |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in San Marcos?
We recommend checking directly with San Marcos'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 San Marcos
Private Estate with Hot Tub, 20 Minutes From Beach
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Secluded & Secure Family Vacation - San Diego
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Beautiful San Marcos Estate!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
The Tortoise and Hare Hillside Retreat
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Charming San Marcos 2BR with Patio & Pet-Friendly
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Cheerful Escape: Views, Game Room, Firepit, Office
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in San Marcos
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leah | 1 | $190,195 | 130 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Ann | 4 | $141,376 | 567 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Mark & Karen | 1 | $123,911 | 25 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Valerie | 1 | $109,122 | 20 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Erin | 2 | $93,933 | 267 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Solmar | 1 | $85,083 | 53 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Allura Homes | 1 | $84,566 | 46 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Kandi | 2 | $84,525 | 201 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Jodi | 1 | $74,543 | 61 | 4.84/5.0 |
| Victoria | 1 | $67,749 | 59 | 4.97/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in San Marcos
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 (70.5%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 84.2% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (17.9%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (3.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 95 properties in San Marcos shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 29.5% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 48.4% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (29.5%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.3%)
- Market concentration: 48.4% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 95 properties in San Marcos reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 21.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.4 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 40.0% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (21.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 5 guests (1.1% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.4 guests per property
- Market concentration: 40.0% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 95 properties in San Marcos, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (37.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (35.8% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (37.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (35.8%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 73.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 28.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
34 listings
38.2% of total
2 Nights
18 listings
20.2% of total
3 Nights
9 listings
10.1% of total
4-6 Nights
5 listings
5.6% of total
7-29 Nights
9 listings
10.1% of total
30+ Nights
14 listings
15.7% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 58.4%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 5.6% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (15.7%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 68.5% 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
16 listings
20.3% of total
Moderate
22 listings
27.8% of total
Firm
13 listings
16.5% of total
Strict
28 listings
35.4% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 35.4% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (48.1%) and strict (51.9%) policies
- Firm policies are least common at 16.5% 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 Jun, Jul, May, averaging 55 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Oct, Jan, averaging 33 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 53 days, while Winter has the shortest at 35 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 53 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in San Marcos
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in San Marcos:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 94.3% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (1.7%) and Mexico (0.7%)
- English is the top language at 72.6%, followed by Spanish (20.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for San Diego and Los Angeles markets
- Develop localized content for Canada and Mexico
- 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 Marcos. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu | 351 | $12,187 | $1223.84 | 43% |
| Rancho San Diego | 28 | $9,026 | $520.12 | 53% |
| Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains | 154 | $8,301 | $656.43 | 48% |
| Thousand Palms | 34 | $8,092 | $656.12 | 41% |
| Del Mar | 108 | $7,629 | $627.12 | 51% |
| GlenOak Hills | 38 | $7,543 | $595.87 | 40% |
| Newport Beach | 1,268 | $7,104 | $643.67 | 46% |
| Manhattan Beach | 232 | $7,054 | $486.64 | 52% |
| Avalon | 218 | $6,867 | $634.60 | 39% |
| Lakeside | 34 | $6,788 | $501.20 | 51% |
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