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

Average Daily Rate

$253

Occupancy Rate

52.39%

Annual Revenue

$39,576

Revenue Growth YoY

10.86%

Best Month

June

Worst Month

January

Regulation

High

Active Listings

903

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

The short-term rental market in Santa Monica 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 $4,127 per month
Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $6,639 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $9,601+ monthly
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $2,186

Revenue Variations by Month

Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Santa Monica

The market in Santa Monica 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 61% occupancy rates
Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 81% or higher
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 90%+occupancy
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 31%

Occupancy Variations by Month

Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Santa Monica

Daily rates in Santa Monica 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 $198 per night
Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $301 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $447+ per night
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $135

Daily Rate Variations by Month

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Seasonality patterns in Santa Monica

Peak Season (June, July, May)

Revenue peaks at $5438.22 per month
Occupancy rates reach 63.68%
Daily rates average $265.57

Shoulder Season

Revenue averages $4925.28 per month
Occupancy maintains 55.82%
Daily rates hold at $254.93

Low Season (September, December, January)

Revenue drops to $3774.50 per month
Occupancy decreases to 45.20%
Daily rates adjust to $247.51

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

Yes! Santa Monica demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 56% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4925 and As a mature market with 903 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 Monica

Area	Why Choose This Area	Key Attractions
Ocean Park	A laid-back neighborhood near the beach, known for its vibrant atmosphere and proximity to Santa Monica Pier. It's a favorite spot for tourists looking for a more relaxed beach experience with local shops and eateries.	Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Ocean Park Beach, Palisades Park, Bergamot Station
Downtown Santa Monica	The heart of Santa Monica, offering a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It's ideal for both tourists and business travelers, providing easy access to the beach and public transportation.	Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Farmers Market, Annenberg Community Beach House, Palisade Park
Sunset Park	A residential neighborhood that appeals to families and young professionals. It's near the beach and offers a more local vibe, making it attractive for longer stays.	Clover Park, Santa Monica Beach, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, local eateries and cafes, community events
North of Montana	An upscale residential area that is safe and family-friendly, attracting guests looking for luxury accommodations and a quiet environment, yet close to attractions.	Montana Avenue shops, Santa Monica Public Library, local parks, Maui Sunset Beach, Montana Avenue restaurants
Palms	A vibrant, diverse neighborhood that offers a mix of culture and cuisine. Popular with younger crowds, it provides unique attractions and accessibility to public transport.	Culver City Arts District, local boutique shops, Palms Park, local restaurants and bars, nearby Metro stations
Mid-City	A central location that appeals to both tourists and locals, known for its charm and proximity to Santa Monica and Culver City. Great for those wanting to explore the Westside.	Bergamot Station, local art galleries, Civic Center, Bike paths to Santa Monica, near local cafes
Pico Heights	A growing neighborhood known for its blend of residential and commercial spaces. Offers a more budget-friendly option while still being close to Santa Monica's attractions.	Pico Boulevard restaurants, local parks, near Santa Monica Beach, pocket parks, community events
Santa Monica Airport Area	A unique area with studios and plenty of green spaces. Appeals to both creatives and travelers seeking unique stays while being a short drive to the beach.	Santa Monica Airport, Flying Museum, local eateries, Pico Greenway, near Venice Beach

Do you need a license for Airbnb in Santa Monica?

$656.68

Daily Rate

Top Performing Professional Hosts in Santa Monica

Host Name	Properties	Grossing Revenue	Stay Reviews	Avg Rating
Nicole	97	$1,397,203	982	4.64/5.0
John	11	$1,081,336	758	4.97/5.0
My Santa Monica Stay	9	$986,559	225	4.81/5.0
470195365	14	$894,524	921	4.85/5.0
Sam	13	$830,071	503	4.90/5.0
Nina	51	$623,945	564	4.20/5.0
Jack	12	$583,396	122	4.35/5.0
Shawn	6	$542,392	548	4.83/5.0
Peter	4	$507,956	200	4.80/5.0
Maryna	5	$477,611	238	4.83/5.0

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

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 (83.8%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 89.0% of inventory
Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile segments (3.5% combined)

Room Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 903 properties in Santa Monica shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 45.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 74.6% of all listings.

Key Insights

Most common: 1 bedroom (45.7%)
Least common: 5+ bedrooms (0.8%)
Market concentration: 74.6% in top 2 sizes
Market skew: Favors smaller properties

Guest Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 903 properties in Santa Monica reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 38.6% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.0 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 63.2% of the market.

Key Insights

Most common capacity: 2 guests (38.6% of market)
Least common capacity: 7 guests (1% of market)
Average guest capacity: 3.0 guests per property
Market concentration: 63.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities

Booking and Availability Patterns

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Among 903 properties in Santa Monica, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (36.5% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (22.8% of properties).

Key Insights

Most common availability window: 271-366 days (36.5%)
Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (22.8%)
Properties with high availability (180+ days): 59.1%
Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 42.1%

Minimum Stay Distributions

1 Night (19%)

1 Night

146 listings

19% of total

2 Nights (16%)

2 Nights

123 listings

16% of total

3 Nights (7.9%)

3 Nights

61 listings

7.9% of total

4-6 Nights (6.1%)

4-6 Nights

47 listings

6.1% of total

7-29 Nights (5.6%)

7-29 Nights

43 listings

5.6% of total

30+ Nights (45.5%)

30+ Nights

350 listings

45.5% of total

Key Insights

Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 35.0%
Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 6.1% of listings
Monthly+ stays (45.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
High market flexibility with 42.9% 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

Non-refundable (0.3%)

Non-refundable

2 listings

0.3% of total

Super Strict 60 Days (1.1%)

Super Strict 60 Days

8 listings

1.1% of total

Refundable (0.4%)

Refundable

3 listings

0.4% of total

Flexible (10.3%)

Flexible

77 listings

10.3% of total

Moderate (17.4%)

Moderate

130 listings

17.4% of total

Firm (12.5%)

Firm

93 listings

12.5% of total

Strict (58%)

Strict

433 listings

58% of total

Key Insights

Strict is the preferred policy at 58.0% of listings
Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 70.5% of the market
Strong market consensus around Strict policies
Non-refundable policies are least common at 0.3% of listings

Recommendations

The market supports stricter policies, with 70.5% using Firm or Strict terms
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 54 days
Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Dec, Jan, averaging 37 days
Summer shows the longest average booking window at 53 days, while Winter has the shortest at 40 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 Oct-Jan when lead times are shortest

Popular Airbnb Amenities in Santa Monica

Every property in Santa Monica comes standard with Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:

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 71.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
Primary international markets: United Kingdom (5.1%) and Canada (4.5%)
English is the top language at 66.2%, followed by Spanish (15.2%)
Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.5%

Recommendations

Target marketing campaigns for New York and Los Angeles markets
Develop localized content for United Kingdom and Canada
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 Monica. 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%
Montecito	135	$9,116	$825.14	48%
Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains	154	$8,301	$656.43	48%
Newport Beach	1,268	$7,104	$643.67	46%
Manhattan Beach	232	$7,054	$486.64	52%
Avalon	218	$6,867	$634.60	39%
Summerland	72	$6,573	$465.83	48%
Toro Canyon	38	$6,413	$536.84	41%
Rancho Santa Fe	28	$6,225	$732.90	41%
Santa Margarita Ranchos	17	$6,083	$483.27	37%

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