Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Boulder, Colorado, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Boulder? 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 Boulder:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Boulder?
The short-term rental market in Boulder 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 $3,478 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $6,778 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $12,162+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,781
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Boulder
The market in Boulder 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 55% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 75% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 87%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 30%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Boulder
Daily rates in Boulder 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 $193 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $375 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $697+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $117
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Boulder
Peak Season (August, July, June)
- Revenue peaks at $7233.72 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 67.73%
- Daily rates average $337.56
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $5491.96 per month
- Occupancy maintains 52.38%
- Daily rates hold at $315.53
Low Season (March, February, January)
- Revenue drops to $3333.28 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 35.75%
- Daily rates adjust to $289.62
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Boulder in 2025?
Yes! Boulder demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 52% and strong monthly revenue averaging $5492 and As a mature market with 867 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 Boulder
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Street Mall | A bustling pedestrian area that offers shops, restaurants, and live entertainment. It's the heart of downtown Boulder, attracting both tourists and locals alike. | Pearl Street Mall, Boulder Dushanbe Tea House, Boulder County Farmers Market, Chautauqua Park, NIST, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art |
| Chautauqua Park | Famous for its breathtaking views of the Flatirons and outdoor activities like hiking and picnicking. Popular with nature lovers and those looking to explore the outdoors. | Flatirons, Chautauqua Auditorium, Hiking Trails, Boulder Canyon, Boulder Falls |
| University Hill | Located near the University of Colorado Boulder, this area is popular with students and faculty. It's vibrant and convenient for those looking for a lively atmosphere near the campus. | The Hill Shopping District, Folsom Field, CU Museum of Natural History, Pearl Street, C.U. Boulder campus |
| Downtown Boulder | The city's central hub featuring a mix of shops, eateries, and cultural activities. Excellent for tourists seeking a blend of urban and nature experiences. | Boulder Market, Downtown Boulder, Boulder Public Library, Boulder Theater, Boulder Creek Path |
| North Boulder (NoBo) | An up-and-coming neighborhood that has become popular for its artistic vibe and proximity to parks. It has a growing number of eateries and shops. | North Boulder Park, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Avery Brewing Company, Chautauqua Park, Mountain Parks |
| South Boulder | This area provides a more residential feel with easy access to hiking trails and parks. It's great for families and those who prefer a quieter neighborhood. | South Boulder Peak, Open Space Mountain Parks, Table Mesa Shopping Center, Pine Brook Hills, Eldorado Canyon State Park |
| Gunbarrel | A suburban area just northeast of Boulder, known for its family-friendly environment and local amenities, making it ideal for longer-term stays. | Gunbarrel Park, Restaurants and Shops, Flatiron Business Park, Boulder Valley Ranch |
| Eldorado Springs/Fairview | A serene area near hiking trails and natural springs, it's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the busyness of the city while still being nearby. | Eldorado Canyon State Park, Eldorado Springs Pool, Boulder Creek, Hiking Trails, Flatirons |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Boulder?
Yes, Boulder requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 54% 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 Boulder
BEST Luxury Airbnb in Boulder
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
❤️of Downtown All New! Mod 6BR ☆6min→ Pearl☆Hottub
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Mountain Views Modern Estate
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Stunning Mountain Modern Luxury Home- Near Town!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Overlooking Boulder; outstanding 8 bedroom home
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Elegant Oasis Amidst Boulder’s Natural Splendor
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Boulder
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross | 30 | $907,496 | 175 | 3.26/5.0 |
| Home Host Concierge | 6 | $771,714 | 57 | 4.11/5.0 |
| Evolve | 8 | $612,131 | 207 | 4.08/5.0 |
| Christina | 3 | $528,632 | 114 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Verity | 1 | $483,356 | 36 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Greg | 5 | $455,681 | 361 | 4.61/5.0 |
| Brent | 1 | $382,991 | 105 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Phillip | 3 | $377,771 | 599 | 4.99/5.0 |
| Rosane | 1 | $331,380 | 16 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Irina | 3 | $321,229 | 592 | 4.98/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Boulder
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 (81.8%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 83.0% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (2.5% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 867 properties in Boulder shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 28.4% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 52.9% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (28.4%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (4.4%)
- Market concentration: 52.9% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 867 properties in Boulder reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 21.6% 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 41.4% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (21.6% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.9 guests per property
- Market concentration: 41.4% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 867 properties in Boulder, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (31.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (32.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (31.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (32.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 63.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 37.8%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
131 listings
16.5% of total
2 Nights
190 listings
23.9% of total
3 Nights
144 listings
18.1% of total
4-6 Nights
55 listings
6.9% of total
7-29 Nights
43 listings
5.4% of total
30+ Nights
233 listings
29.3% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 40.4%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 6.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (29.3%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 58.5% 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
Super Strict 30 Days
1 listings
0.1% of total
Flexible
80 listings
10.1% of total
Moderate
182 listings
23.1% of total
Firm
246 listings
31.2% of total
Strict
280 listings
35.5% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 35.5% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 66.7% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 0.1% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 66.7% 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 May, Jul, Jun, averaging 87 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Feb, Jan, averaging 47 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 81 days, while Winter has the shortest at 47 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 81 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 Boulder
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Boulder:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 91.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (1.9%) and Canada (1.1%)
- English is the top language at 73.3%, followed by Spanish (13.6%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for New York and Boulder 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 Boulder. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen | 551 | $7,064 | $1002.81 | 37% |
| Blue River | 203 | $6,534 | $501.46 | 48% |
| Clear Creek County | 11 | $6,147 | $356.77 | 54% |
| Black Hawk | 121 | $5,571 | $302.81 | 58% |
| Grand County | 10 | $5,246 | $476.54 | 48% |
| Indian Hills | 11 | $5,111 | $354.76 | 52% |
| Snowmass | 17 | $5,022 | $597.66 | 37% |
| Conifer | 43 | $4,754 | $336.67 | 49% |
| Bailey | 112 | $4,710 | $265.66 | 57% |
| Alma | 93 | $4,617 | $294.14 | 51% |
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