Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Washington? 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 Washington:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Washington?
The short-term rental market in Washington 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 $2,949 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,709 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $7,469+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,656
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Washington
The market in Washington 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 60% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 80% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 90%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 32%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Washington
Daily rates in Washington 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 $148 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $243 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $394+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $99
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Washington
Peak Season (May, October, June)
- Revenue peaks at $4493.41 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 63.14%
- Daily rates average $268.36
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3757.26 per month
- Occupancy maintains 55.41%
- Daily rates hold at $206.81
Low Season (December, January, February)
- Revenue drops to $2805.98 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 35.65%
- Daily rates adjust to $181.14
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Washington in 2025?
Yes! Washington demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 55% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3757 and As a mature market with 4266 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 Washington
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. - Capitol Hill | Historic neighborhood famous for its proximity to the U.S. Capitol, offering a vibrant community with a rich history. Popular among tourists interested in politics and history. | U.S. Capitol, Capitol Hill Historic District, Eastern Market, Library of Congress, Supreme Court |
| Georgetown | Charming historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets, upscale shops, and waterfront views. It attracts tourists and locals alike for its vibrant atmosphere and rich history. | Georgetown University, C&O Canal, The Exorcist Steps, Georgetown Waterfront Park, M Street shopping |
| Dupont Circle | Culturally vibrant area known for its historic architecture, diverse eateries, and art galleries. A popular spot for tourists and young professionals alike. | Dupont Circle Fountain, Smithsonian Museums, Phillips Collection, The Kreeger Museum, 17th Street |
| Adams Morgan | Eclectic neighborhood famous for its nightlife, diverse food scene, and cultural events. It's a hotspot for younger crowds and tourists seeking vibrant nightlife. | Adams Morgan Historic District, Kalorama Park, Restaurants and bars on 18th Street, The Bird and The Bee, Banneker Recreation Center |
| Logan Circle | Victorian neighborhood with a historic park and beautiful townhouses. It appeals to those looking for a quieter, residential atmosphere with easy access to downtown. | Logan Circle Park, The Studio Theatre, P street Northwest, Historic Victorian homes, Cafes and boutiques |
| The Wharf | A waterfront neighborhood with modern development, dining, and entertainment options. It offers a unique blend of urban living and waterfront experiences. | The Wharf Marina, National Mall, Restaurants and shops, Concerts and events, Water taxis |
| Eastern Market | A historic market district known for its fresh produce, artisanal goods, and community events. Attracts both locals and tourists interested in food culture. | Eastern Market, Capitol Hill, Local artisanal vendors, Food festivals, Weekend farmer's market |
| National Mall | Home to iconic memorials and museums, this area attracts millions of visitors each year, making it a prime location for short-term rentals. | Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, National Gallery of Art, National World War II Memorial |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Washington?
Yes, Washington requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 72% 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 Washington
Luxury 8BR/7BA Rowhouse | Logan Circle Mansion
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Beautiful new Georgetown home
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Luxurious Mansion in Logan Circle~Private Parking
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Stately DC Rowhome | Spacious 7BR/4.5BA US Capitol
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Historic & Stately 7BR/4.5BA-Chefs Kitchen+Parking
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Luxe 7-BR Victorian Castle in the Nation's Capital
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Washington
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sojourn | 197 | $7,560,625 | 10779 | 3.53/5.0 |
| Home Sweet City | 83 | $5,264,100 | 8037 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Stay Bubo | 34 | $1,954,666 | 3527 | 4.76/5.0 |
| Jay | 23 | $1,476,497 | 876 | 4.63/5.0 |
| Douglas | 19 | $1,442,610 | 2876 | 4.51/5.0 |
| Bluebird | 56 | $1,413,080 | 106 | 0.69/5.0 |
| Corporate | 21 | $1,345,798 | 282 | 3.37/5.0 |
| Mary'S Stay | 40 | $1,280,926 | 871 | 4.50/5.0 |
| Evolve | 28 | $1,233,147 | 486 | 3.96/5.0 |
| Adam | 6 | $1,109,426 | 865 | 4.93/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Washington
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 (81.5%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 86.9% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels segments (4.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 4,266 properties in Washington shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 41.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 65.6% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (41.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.2%)
- Market concentration: 65.6% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 4,266 properties in Washington reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 23.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.6 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 43.9% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (23.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.6 guests per property
- Market concentration: 43.9% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 4,266 properties in Washington, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (30.6% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (27.7% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (30.6%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (27.7%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 51.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 49.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
926 listings
24% of total
2 Nights
1123 listings
29.1% of total
3 Nights
493 listings
12.8% of total
4-6 Nights
188 listings
4.9% of total
7-29 Nights
181 listings
4.7% of total
30+ Nights
948 listings
24.6% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 53.1%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 4.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (24.6%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 65.9% 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
Refundable
1 listings
0% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
27 listings
0.7% of total
Non-refundable
2 listings
0.1% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
18 listings
0.5% of total
Flexible
559 listings
15.4% of total
Moderate
1264 listings
34.7% of total
Firm
746 listings
20.5% of total
Strict
1021 listings
28.1% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 34.7% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (50.1%) and strict (48.6%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Refundable policies are least common at 0.0% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in May, Apr, Jan, averaging 61 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Sep, Dec, Feb, averaging 40 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 59 days, while Winter has the shortest at 45 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 59 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Sep-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Washington
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Washington:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 81.6% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: DC (3.5%) and United Kingdom (2.3%)
- English is the top language at 70%, followed by Spanish (15.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for New York and Washington markets
- Develop localized content for DC and United Kingdom
- 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 Washington. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centreville | 15 | $7,494 | $523.22 | 48% |
| Mayo | 13 | $6,087 | $438.91 | 52% |
| Lower Windsor Township | 12 | $5,880 | $350.59 | 44% |
| Chester | 18 | $5,821 | $494.88 | 42% |
| Arundel on the Bay | 24 | $5,741 | $527.94 | 40% |
| Piney Point | 15 | $5,727 | $387.92 | 43% |
| Stevensville | 68 | $5,542 | $505.75 | 42% |
| Easton | 45 | $5,262 | $677.92 | 38% |
| Shannondale | 49 | $5,229 | $280.14 | 56% |
| Middletown Township | 10 | $5,004 | $391.34 | 53% |
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