Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Santa Barbara?
The short-term rental market in Santa Barbara 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 $5,395 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $9,475 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $15,856+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $2,753
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Santa Barbara
The market in Santa Barbara 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 52% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 73% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 87%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 28%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Santa Barbara
Daily rates in Santa Barbara 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 $305 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $490 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $825+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $193
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Santa Barbara
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue peaks at $9045.99 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 60.45%
- Daily rates average $434.67
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $7545.96 per month
- Occupancy maintains 50.62%
- Daily rates hold at $410.27
Low Season (February, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $5917.11 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 42.19%
- Daily rates adjust to $389.29
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Santa Barbara in 2025?
Yes! Santa Barbara demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 51% and strong monthly revenue averaging $7546 and As a mature market with 949 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 Santa Barbara
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| West Beach | A scenic area known for its proximity to the beach and vibrant waterfront activities. Ideal for tourists wanting easy beach access and lively dining options. | Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, West Beach, East Beach, Santa Barbara Waterfront, The Funk Zone |
| The Funk Zone | A trendy district that attracts artists and foodies with its wineries, galleries, and eclectic restaurants. Perfect for those looking for a unique and cultural experience. | Santa Barbara Wine Collective, The Lure Fish House, The Good Lion, Funk Zone Art Walk, Santa Barbara Brewery, Kunin Wines |
| East Beach | Offering beautiful beaches and family-friendly activities. Great for vacationers seeking sun and recreational opportunities like volleyball and surfing. | East Beach, Santa Barbara Zoo, Rattlesnake Canyon Trail, Cabrillo Bike Path, East Beach Grill, Wave Blasters |
| Downtown Santa Barbara | The bustling city center featuring shopping, dining, and entertainment. Appeals to visitors wanting to experience city life with a touch of coastal charm. | State Street, Santa Barbara County Courthouse, The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, De La Guerra Plaza, Historic Districts |
| Mission Canyon | A peaceful, residential area known for its natural beauty and proximity to hiking trails. Attracts nature lovers and those looking for a quiet retreat near the city. | Santa Barbara Mission, Botanic Garden, Rattlesnake Trail, La Cumbre Peak, Mission Canyon Park, Nature Trails |
| Goleta | A family-friendly suburb with beaches and parks, offering a more relaxed atmosphere while still being close to Santa Barbara's attractions. Great for families and longer stays. | Goleta Beach, Lake Los Carneros, South Coast Railroad Museum, Tamarack Beach, Ledbetter Beach, Sandpiper Golf Course |
| Summerland | A small beach town offering a relaxed vibe and charming old-world architecture. Attracts visitors looking for a quaint seaside getaway just south of Santa Barbara. | Summerland Beach, Lookout Park, Paradise Cove, Miramar Beach, Local art shops, Antique stores |
| Carpinteria | Known for its family-friendly beaches and small-town charm. Perfect for visitors seeking a laid-back beach atmosphere and outdoor activities. | Carpinteria State Beach, Carpinteria Bluffs Natural Preserve, The Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, Zook Park, Salt Marsh Nature Park, Local Markets |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Santa Barbara?
We recommend checking directly with Santa Barbara'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 Santa Barbara
Beautiful 8 Bed/8 Bath Victorian Home Downtown SB
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Montecito House Hot Tub/Cold Plunge -1 Block Beach
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Beautifully Renovated Downtown Home w/ 6 Bathrooms
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Oceanfront Santa Barbara Villa
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Shoreline Bliss: Oceanfront - Walk to Beach - Dogs
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Montecito Oaks-where luxury & tranquility meet!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Santa Barbara
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zipstay | 35 | $2,900,864 | 1606 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Haller Coastal | 23 | $2,848,519 | 331 | 4.49/5.0 |
| Paradise Retreats | 27 | $2,283,196 | 327 | 4.24/5.0 |
| Vacation Rentals | 34 | $1,672,733 | 428 | 2.88/5.0 |
| Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals | 9 | $1,653,922 | 136 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Brent | 6 | $1,518,370 | 285 | 4.16/5.0 |
| Lucas | 5 | $1,415,217 | 359 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Cody | 17 | $1,390,732 | 1445 | 4.99/5.0 |
| Wanderlust Luxury Rentals | 8 | $1,235,661 | 141 | 4.29/5.0 |
| Jannett | 11 | $936,203 | 440 | 4.73/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Santa Barbara
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 (82.1%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 74.6% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (17.5%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (1.0% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 949 properties in Santa Barbara shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 40.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 63.4% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (40.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.8%)
- Market concentration: 63.4% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 949 properties in Santa Barbara reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 32.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.9 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 53.8% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (32.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.5% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.9 guests per property
- Market concentration: 53.8% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 949 properties in Santa Barbara, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (30.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (29.3% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (30.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (29.3%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 59.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 41.5%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
223 listings
26% of total
2 Nights
200 listings
23.3% of total
3 Nights
97 listings
11.3% of total
4-6 Nights
37 listings
4.3% of total
7-29 Nights
79 listings
9.2% of total
30+ Nights
222 listings
25.9% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 49.3%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 4.3% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (25.9%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 60.6% 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
35 listings
4.2% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
63 listings
7.5% of total
Refundable
2 listings
0.2% of total
Non-refundable
1 listings
0.1% of total
Flexible
101 listings
12% of total
Moderate
170 listings
20.3% of total
Firm
200 listings
23.8% of total
Strict
267 listings
31.8% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 31.8% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (32.3%) and strict (55.6%) 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 Jun, Jul, May, averaging 81 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Dec, Jan, averaging 51 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 78 days, while Winter has the shortest at 52 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 78 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Santa Barbara
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Santa Barbara:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 90.7% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (2.1%) and Germany (1.4%)
- English is the top language at 70.2%, followed by Spanish (16.2%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Los Angeles and San Francisco markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom and Germany
- 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 Santa Barbara. 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% |
| Los Olivos | 24 | $9,227 | $687.47 | 50% |
| Montecito | 135 | $9,116 | $825.14 | 48% |
| Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains | 154 | $8,301 | $656.43 | 48% |
| Santa Ynez | 95 | $7,898 | $539.36 | 48% |
| Manhattan Beach | 232 | $7,054 | $486.64 | 52% |
| Avalon | 218 | $6,867 | $634.60 | 39% |
| Summerland | 72 | $6,573 | $465.83 | 48% |
| Avila Beach | 90 | $6,519 | $551.91 | 42% |
| Toro Canyon | 38 | $6,413 | $536.84 | 41% |
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