Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Destin, Florida, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Destin? 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 Destin:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Destin?
The short-term rental market in Destin 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 $3,842 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $6,700 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $10,907+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,878
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Destin
The market in Destin 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 34% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 58% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 76%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 17%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Destin
Daily rates in Destin 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 $296 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $431 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $659+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $219
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Destin
Peak Season (June, July, May)
- Revenue peaks at $8854.29 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 59.33%
- Daily rates average $457.44
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $5177.13 per month
- Occupancy maintains 38.98%
- Daily rates hold at $369.88
Low Season (November, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $2187.20 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 24.41%
- Daily rates adjust to $298.34
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Destin in 2025?
Yes! Destin demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 39% and strong monthly revenue averaging $5177 and As a mature market with 3780 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 Destin
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Miramar Beach | A beautiful beach community known for its stunning emerald waters and sugar-white sand. It's a favorite among tourists for family vacations and couples' getaways, ideal for beachside rentals. | Miramar Beach, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Henderson Beach State Park, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Frangista Beach |
| Crystal Beach | A charming coastal neighborhood with a relaxed atmosphere and access to pristine beaches. It appeals to families and vacationers looking for a quieter beach experience, making it great for Airbnb hosting. | Crystal Beach Park, Destin Commons, The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Destin Harbor Boardwalk, Emerald Coast Wine Cellars |
| HarborWalk Village | A vibrant waterfront area in Destin with shops, restaurants, and activities. It's a popular hub for tourists, offering exciting nightlife and entertainment options right by the marina. | Destin Harbor, HarborWalk Village, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Water activities like parasailing and fishing, Local dining options |
| 31 Avenue | An upscale shopping and dining area that attracts visitors looking for luxury experiences and unique shops. Ideal for hosting high-end travelers and families. | The Beach House, Shopping at 31 Avenue, Dining at local bistros and cafes, Nearby beaches, Live music events |
| Emerald Coast Parkway | The main thoroughfare leading to the beach, packed with attractions and restaurants. It's an ideal spot for tourists seeking easy access to numerous activities and beachfront properties. | Gulf Coast beaches, Shopping and dining options, Water sports, Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park, Destin's fishing opportunities |
| Destin Point | A quiet residential area near the beach that offers a more relaxed experience for visitors. Perfect for families wanting a home-away-from-home close to the ocean. | Destin Point Beach, Scenic trails, Local seafood markets, Family-friendly parks, Private beach access |
| Dune Allen Beach | A beautiful area that is less crowded, known for its natural beauty and proximity to the scenic Highway 30A. Attracts tourists looking for tranquility and stunning landscapes. | Dune Allen Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Local art galleries, Cozy beachside cafes |
| Okaloosa Island | A barrier island with gorgeous beaches and a laid-back vibe. It provides unique waterfront views and is popular with families and friends looking for a beach getaway. | Okaloosa Island Pier, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Brooks Bridge, Nearby water sports, Relaxed beach atmosphere |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Destin?
We recommend checking directly with Destin'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 Destin
The Life Aquatic | Pool | Elevator | Free Parasail
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Million-Dollar Views - Gulf Front & Private Pool
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
Monarch by AvantStay | Estate, 1min walk to Beach!
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Luxury-Sleeps 26! Beach-Pool-Hot Tub-Free GolfCart
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Nautilus! Sleeps 22! Ocean view! Rooftop deck!
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Luxury Beach Estate- Private Pool/Beach,Much More!
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Destin
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RealJoy | 292 | $14,310,985 | 4877 | 4.32/5.0 |
| Newman-Dailey | 88 | $6,346,073 | 800 | 4.24/5.0 |
| Compass Resorts | 299 | $4,543,422 | 10 | 0.03/5.0 |
| Matthew | 43 | $4,469,782 | 3554 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Holiday Isle | 149 | $3,787,618 | 1589 | 3.96/5.0 |
| Scenic Stays | 166 | $3,658,790 | 1254 | 3.83/5.0 |
| AvantStay | 23 | $3,102,726 | 695 | 4.64/5.0 |
| Southern Vacation | 85 | $2,946,681 | 303 | 2.59/5.0 |
| Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals | 93 | $2,827,625 | 599 | 2.43/5.0 |
| Todd | 13 | $2,711,701 | 819 | 4.53/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Destin
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 (99.3%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 99.2% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others, outdoor & mobile segments (0.9% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,780 properties in Destin shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 41.4% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms together representing 62.1% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (41.4%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (7.1%)
- Market concentration: 62.1% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,780 properties in Destin reveals that 6 guests properties dominate the market, representing 42.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 6.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 6 guests and 8+ guests make up 82.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 6 guests (42.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (0.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 6.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 82.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 3,780 properties in Destin, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (52.6% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (31.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (52.6%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (31.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 80.8%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 20.2%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
456 listings
13.2% of total
2 Nights
710 listings
20.5% of total
3 Nights
1422 listings
41.2% of total
4-6 Nights
188 listings
5.4% of total
7-29 Nights
115 listings
3.3% of total
30+ Nights
564 listings
16.3% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 33.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 5.4% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (16.3%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 74.9% 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
Super Strict 30 Days
241 listings
9% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
296 listings
11.1% of total
Flexible
55 listings
2.1% of total
Moderate
430 listings
16.1% of total
Firm
850 listings
31.8% of total
Strict
799 listings
29.9% of total
Key Insights
- Firm is the preferred policy at 31.8% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 61.7% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Firm policies
- Flexible policies are least common at 2.1% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 61.7% using Firm or Strict terms
- Strong market preference for Firm policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in May, Jun, Feb, averaging 83 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Aug, Sep, averaging 53 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 77 days, while Fall has the shortest at 62 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 77 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Destin
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Destin:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 98.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (0.4%) and DC (0.2%)
- English is the top language at 79%, followed by Spanish (17.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.4%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Atlanta and Houston markets
- Develop localized content for Canada and DC
- 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 Destin. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inlet Beach | 73 | $5,404 | $458.66 | 41% |
| Alys Beach | 445 | $5,320 | $605.90 | 39% |
| Seaside | 597 | $5,193 | $701.47 | 35% |
| Seacrest Beach | 354 | $5,170 | $527.64 | 40% |
| Watersound | 83 | $4,738 | $411.58 | 40% |
| Rosemary Beach | 520 | $4,704 | $565.99 | 37% |
| Gulf County | 11 | $4,340 | $412.00 | 35% |
| Santa Rosa Beach | 2,768 | $4,183 | $453.34 | 39% |
| Port St. Joe | 568 | $4,122 | $450.38 | 38% |
| Cape San Blas | 87 | $4,014 | $464.72 | 37% |
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