Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Hilo? 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 Hilo:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Hilo?
The short-term rental market in Hilo 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 $2,513 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,112 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $6,274+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,285
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Hilo
The market in Hilo 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 86%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 29%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Hilo
Daily rates in Hilo 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 $141 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $199 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $306+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $97
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Hilo
Peak Season (March, June, August)
- Revenue peaks at $3546.01 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 59.30%
- Daily rates average $190.57
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3245.81 per month
- Occupancy maintains 52.19%
- Daily rates hold at $178.79
Low Season (May, November, September)
- Revenue drops to $2660.53 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 46.09%
- Daily rates adjust to $174.68
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Hilo in 2025?
Yes! Hilo demonstrates strong year-round potential with stable demand, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 52% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3246 and With 363 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 (spring breakers, nature enthusiasts, conference attendees, couples)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Hilo
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Liliuokalani Park and Gardens | A beautiful Japanese garden and park area, offering scenic views and tranquility. It attracts visitors looking for peace and nature, making it a desirable spot for vacation rentals. | Liliuokalani Gardens, Coconut Island, Hilo Bay, Hilo Farmers Market, Hilo Art Museum |
| Hilo Town | The heart of Hilo, filled with local shops, restaurants, and cultural sites. It is convenient for tourists wanting to explore local Hawaiian life and attractions. | Hilo Farmers Market, Hilo Downtown Historic District, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Nani Mau Gardens, Imiloa Astronomy Center |
| Kaumana Caves | A natural wonder with lava tubes accessible for tours. Adventure-seeking tourists are drawn to this geological site, making it a unique hosting opportunity. | Kaumana Caves, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls |
| Punalu'u Black Sand Beach | Known for its stunning black sand and sea turtles, this beach attracts eco-tourists and those wanting to experience Hawaii's unique beaches. | Punalu'u Beach, Punalu'u Bake Shop, Volcano, Hawaii |
| Akaka Falls State Park | Famous for its stunning waterfalls and lush scenery, it's a popular hiking destination that attracts nature lovers and photographers. | Akaka Falls, Kahuna Falls, Scenic hiking trails |
| Mauna Kea | Offers breathtaking views and stargazing opportunities. Tourists looking for unique experiences flock here, especially for observatory visits. | Mauna Kea Observatories, Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station |
| Hawaiian Beaches | A residential area close to the beach perfect for family vacations, attracting those interested in beachfront accommodations and local experiences. | Hawaiian Beaches, Pahoa Town, Kalapana Lava Viewing Area |
| Volcano Village | The gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, popular with tourists wanting to explore active volcanoes and unique landscapes. | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, Volcano Art Center |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Hilo?
Most likely, Hilo requires a license for Airbnb operations. With 43% of current listings showing licensing information, we recommend checking Hilo's short-term rental regulations and starting the licensing process before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Hilo
Eccentric Historic Mansion steps to beach with AC
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
The Falls at Reed's Island: Luxury Waterfall Oasis
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Lux.Beach House-5 Bdrm, 5 Bth, Sleeps 16. Hilo Bay
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Oceanfront House with Panoramic Views of Hilo Bay!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Barefoot Beach House at Richardson Beach
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Hilo Villa w/pool- 16 guests max
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Hilo
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard | 6 | $647,846 | 285 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Terry | 12 | $497,553 | 445 | 4.43/5.0 |
| Jessica | 8 | $453,158 | 118 | 4.76/5.0 |
| Maggie | 11 | $433,019 | 778 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Garden Manor | 5 | $346,719 | 319 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Robert And Erinn | 2 | $268,163 | 52 | 4.99/5.0 |
| Robert | 9 | $203,555 | 223 | 4.64/5.0 |
| Jeffrey Keith | 1 | $196,711 | 7 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Evolve | 6 | $184,884 | 133 | 4.42/5.0 |
| Jason | 2 | $177,502 | 36 | 4.91/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Hilo
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 (76%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 74.6% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (17.6%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (3.6% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 363 properties in Hilo shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 34.2% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 61.7% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (34.2%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.5%)
- Market concentration: 61.7% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 363 properties in Hilo reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 27% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.6 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 48.5% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (27% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.8% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.6 guests per property
- Market concentration: 48.5% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 363 properties in Hilo, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (30.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (30% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (30.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (30%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 51.5%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 49.6%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
103 listings
30.5% of total
2 Nights
105 listings
31.1% of total
3 Nights
62 listings
18.3% of total
4-6 Nights
17 listings
5% of total
7-29 Nights
17 listings
5% of total
30+ Nights
34 listings
10.1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 61.6%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 5% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (10.1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 79.9% 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 60 Days
1 listings
0.3% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
4 listings
1.2% of total
Flexible
57 listings
16.6% of total
Moderate
69 listings
20.1% of total
Firm
99 listings
28.9% of total
Strict
113 listings
32.9% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 32.9% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 61.8% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.3% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 61.8% 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 Apr, Aug, Jun, averaging 85 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Feb, Oct, Sep, averaging 57 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 78 days, while Fall has the shortest at 60 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 78 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Feb-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Hilo
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Hilo:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 82.1% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (5.3%) and Australia (1.9%)
- English is the top language at 72.2%, followed by Spanish (11.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.7%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Honolulu and Los Angeles markets
- Develop localized content for Canada and Australia
- 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 Hilo. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nīnole | 14 | $7,944 | $924.55 | 48% |
| Hana | 69 | $7,353 | $401.09 | 65% |
| Kailua Kona | 11 | $6,984 | $1262.57 | 31% |
| Paia | 85 | $6,963 | $506.34 | 54% |
| Waimea | 380 | $6,637 | $717.26 | 43% |
| Puakō | 65 | $6,617 | $723.50 | 49% |
| Honalo | 22 | $6,440 | $399.04 | 57% |
| Waikoloa Beach Resort | 26 | $6,199 | $463.70 | 52% |
| Kula | 15 | $6,171 | $313.70 | 68% |
| Haiku | 51 | $5,641 | $416.13 | 48% |
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