Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz? 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 Cruz:

Average Daily Rate

$375

Occupancy Rate

49.44%

Annual Revenue

$60,363

Revenue Growth YoY

14.64%

Best Month

July

Worst Month

January

Regulation

Low

Active Listings

285

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

The short-term rental market in Santa Cruz 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 $4,401 per month
Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $7,705 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $12,383+ monthly
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $2,221

Revenue Variations by Month

Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Santa Cruz

The market in Santa Cruz 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 71% or higher
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 84%+occupancy
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 28%

Occupancy Variations by Month

Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Santa Cruz

Daily rates in Santa Cruz 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 $255 per night
Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $416 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $637+ per night
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $154

Daily Rate Variations by Month

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Seasonality patterns in Santa Cruz

Peak Season (July, June, August)

Revenue peaks at $8606.09 per month
Occupancy rates reach 65.09%
Daily rates average $387.17

Shoulder Season

Revenue averages $6448.48 per month
Occupancy maintains 49.82%
Daily rates hold at $339.33

Low Season (February, December, January)

Revenue drops to $4250.96 per month
Occupancy decreases to 34.08%
Daily rates adjust to $305.08

Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Santa Cruz in 2025?

Yes! Santa Cruz demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 50% and strong monthly revenue averaging $6448 and With 285 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 Cruz

Area	Why Choose This Area	Key Attractions
West Cliff Drive	Scenic coastal area offering stunning views and great walking paths. It attracts tourists for its natural beauty and access to beaches, making it ideal for vacation rentals.	Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Natural Bridges State Beach, West Cliff Drive Path, Lighthouse Point Park, Steamer Lane
Downtown Santa Cruz	Bustling area filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It's popular among visitors for its vibrant atmosphere and events, creating a high demand for short-term rentals.	Downtown Santa Cruz Shops, Pacific Garden Mall, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, The Catalyst, Civic Auditorium
Capitola Village	Picturesque seaside village known for its colorful buildings and charming atmosphere. It is a favorite among families and tourists, providing plenty of reasons to stay and explore.	Capitola Beach, Capitola Wharf, Shadowbrook Restaurant, Capitola Village Shopping, Capitola Historical Museum
Seabright	A lively neighborhood with a beachy vibe. It's close to both the beach and numerous dining options, attracting visitors looking for a relaxed atmosphere.	Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz Harbor, Seabright Brewery, The Picnic Basket, Douglas Family Preserve
Soquel Village	Quaint village known for its wine tasting and local amenities. It appeals to visitors looking for a peaceful retreat near Santa Cruz while still offering unique attractions.	Soquel Creek, Local Wineries, Soquel Village Farmers Market, Gizdich Ranch, Santa Cruz Mountains
Santa Cruz Mountains	Beautiful mountainous region offering nature and outdoor activities. Perfect for those who want a getaway destination surrounded by nature, appealing to adventure-seekers.	Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Mount Hermon Adventures, Henry Cowell Park, Wine Tasting in the Mountains
Twin Lakes	A serene beach neighborhood that offers a relaxing environment. Great choice for families and those looking for easy access to the beach and a quieter experience.	Twin Lakes State Beach, Screaming Tunnels, Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, The Crow’s Nest, Harbor Beach
Aptos	Charming community located just south of Santa Cruz, with beautiful beaches and local attractions. It caters to visitors seeking a quieter atmosphere with outdoor activities.	Aptos Beach, Seacliff State Beach, Aptos Village, The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, Rio Del Mar

Do you need a license for Airbnb in Santa Cruz?

$1446.53

Daily Rate

Top Performing Professional Hosts in Santa Cruz

Host Name	Properties	Grossing Revenue	Stay Reviews	Avg Rating
Derek	4	$1,314,357	163	4.96/5.0
Ovr	8	$820,634	1321	4.89/5.0
Michael And Ashlie	6	$777,963	1203	4.95/5.0
Laurel	3	$573,532	69	5.00/5.0
Janiece	7	$519,359	443	4.85/5.0
Sean	1	$496,420	32	4.97/5.0
Rex	4	$385,036	1036	4.87/5.0
Surf City	9	$372,352	316	4.78/5.0
Coastwoods	2	$367,361	15	2.50/5.0
Deborah	1	$351,462	75	4.88/5.0

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

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:

Show Advanced Metrics

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Key Insights

Market dominated by entire home listings (81.4%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 83.2% of inventory
Strong specialty sector (20.8%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (0.8% combined)

Room Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 285 properties in Santa Cruz shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 31.6% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 53.0% of all listings.

Key Insights

Most common: 1 bedroom (31.6%)
Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.3%)
Market concentration: 53.0% in top 2 sizes
Market skew: Favors smaller properties

Guest Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 285 properties in Santa Cruz reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 23.9% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 8+ guests make up 42.8% of the market.

Key Insights

Most common capacity: 2 guests (23.9% of market)
Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.7% of market)
Average guest capacity: 4.2 guests per property
Market concentration: 42.8% in top 2 capacity sizes
Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities

Booking and Availability Patterns

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Among 285 properties in Santa Cruz, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (30.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (31.2% of properties).

Key Insights

Most common availability window: 91-180 days (30.9%)
Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (31.2%)
Properties with high availability (180+ days): 61.1%
Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 40.4%

Minimum Stay Distributions

1 Night (25.6%)

1 Night

66 listings

25.6% of total

2 Nights (27.5%)

2 Nights

71 listings

27.5% of total

3 Nights (14.3%)

3 Nights

37 listings

14.3% of total

4-6 Nights (8.5%)

4-6 Nights

22 listings

8.5% of total

7-29 Nights (5%)

7-29 Nights

13 listings

5% of total

30+ Nights (19%)

30+ Nights

49 listings

19% of total

Key Insights

Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 53.1%
Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 8.5% of listings
Monthly+ stays (19%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
High market flexibility with 67.4% 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 (1.9%)

Super Strict 60 Days

5 listings

1.9% of total

Super Strict 30 Days (3.1%)

Super Strict 30 Days

8 listings

3.1% of total

Flexible (11.7%)

Flexible

30 listings

11.7% of total

Moderate (30.4%)

Moderate

78 listings

30.4% of total

Firm (19.1%)

Firm

49 listings

19.1% of total

Strict (33.9%)

Strict

87 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 (42.1%) and strict (53.0%) policies
Strong market consensus around Strict policies
Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 1.9% 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 80 days
Shortest booking windows are in Mar, Feb, Jan, averaging 46 days
Summer shows the longest average booking window at 78 days, while Winter has the shortest at 49 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 Mar-Jan when lead times are shortest

Popular Airbnb Amenities in Santa Cruz

Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Santa Cruz:

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 93.2% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
Primary international markets: United Kingdom (1.7%) and Germany (0.9%)
English is the top language at 69.9%, followed by Spanish (17.3%)
Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.7%

Recommendations

Target marketing campaigns for San Francisco and Sacramento 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 Cruz. 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%
Carmel-by-the-Sea	309	$8,776	$666.30	48%
Moss Beach	35	$8,668	$635.23	51%
Castroville	17	$7,310	$487.40	52%
Carmel	34	$7,238	$515.98	51%
Montara	24	$7,170	$423.86	55%
Los Altos Hills	35	$6,996	$454.68	46%
Ross	10	$6,965	$469.06	56%

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