Chicago Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Illinois, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Chicago in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Chicago, Illinois, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Chicago, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the bustling market of 5,573 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Chicago, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Chicago Airbnb data is crucial. Navigating the high regulation landscape is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Chicago Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Chicago (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Chicago is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Chicago is typically June, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Chicago across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $7,970+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $4,856 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,841 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,404, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Chicago
Chicago Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Chicago STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Augustsees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while January experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Chicago:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 87%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 73% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 54%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 31% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Chicago
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Chicago (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Chicago involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Chicago typically peaks in June and dips lowest during February. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $406+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $251 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $152 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $98 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Chicago
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Chicago (2025)
Peak Season (June, August, May)
- Revenue averages $5,095 per month
- Occupancy rates average 59.2%
- Daily rates average $227
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3,950 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 54.2%
- Daily rates hold near $216
Low Season (January, February, March)
- Revenue drops to average $2,199 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 39.8%
- Daily rates adjust to average $185
Seasonality Insights for Chicago
- The Airbnb seasonality in Chicago shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Chicago's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $5,305, occupancy reaching a high of 65.0%, and ADRs peaking at $230.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $1,866, occupancy could drop to 37.0%, and ADRs may adjust down to $178.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Chicago.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Chicago seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Chicago (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Chicago? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Park | A vibrant neighborhood known for its beautiful park, cultural attractions, and proximity to Lake Michigan. Popular with families and tourists looking for green spaces and cultural experiences. | Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Lincoln Park Boat House, LAKEVIEW neighborhood |
| The Loop | Chicago's central business district, offering easy access to attractions, restaurants, and public transportation. Ideal for business travelers and tourists wanting to be in the heart of the city. | Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower, Chicago Riverwalk, The Magnificent Mile |
| Wicker Park | A hip neighborhood known for its vibrant arts scene, diverse restaurants, and nightlife. A great choice for young professionals and tourists wanting to experience local culture. | Wicker Park, Milwaukee Avenue shops, Big Star tacos, The Empty Bottle, David Bowie mural |
| River North | Known for its upscale dining, art galleries, and proximity to the Magnificent Mile. A prime location for tourists looking for a luxurious experience and great nightlife. | Chicago River, The Merchandise Mart, The House of Blues, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Shaw's Crab House |
| West Loop | A trendy neighborhood famous for its food scene and vibrant nightlife. Attracts foodies and young professionals looking for unique dining experiences and local culture. | Fulton Market, The Chicago French Market, Girl & The Goat, The United Center, Skinny Pop |
| Pilsen | Culturally rich neighborhood known for its Mexican heritage, vibrant street art, and creative community. Attracts those interested in culture and art. | National Museum of Mexican Art, Pilsen Street Murals, Cermak Plaza, The Thalia Hall, Mural Project |
| Navy Pier | A major attraction for tourists with restaurants, entertainment options, and stunning lakeside views. Great for family stays and vacationers. | Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, Chicago Children's Museum, Lake Michigan boat tours, Fireworks show, Restaurants and shops |
| Hyde Park | Home to the University of Chicago and known for its historic architecture and beautiful parks. Ideal for academics and families visiting the area. | University of Chicago, The Museum of Science and Industry, Jackson Park, Frank Lloyd Wright homes, The Court Theatre |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Chicago (2025)
Yes, Chicago, Illinois, United States enforces high STR regulations. Obtaining a license and ensuring compliance is almost certainly required according to current 2025 STR laws. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Chicago to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 81% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Chicago (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Chicagobased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Lincoln Park Joyful Home for 12
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Downtown Mich Ave - 6 Penthouses, Sleep 25
Entire Place • 10 bedrooms
Unique Luxury Fulton Market Penthouse | Sleeps 32
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
Luxury Loft Collection COMBO 902/903 Terrace
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Chicago Gold Coast Grand Luxury Home Best Location
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Luxury Loft Collection COMBO 01/03 | Terrace
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Chicago (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Chicago based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud9 | 66 | $6,017,843 | 1828 | 4.07/5.0 |
| Milan | 66 | $6,009,464 | 3894 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Chicago Hospitality Club | 34 | $3,793,218 | 3152 | 4.38/5.0 |
| Hubbard Holdings | 20 | $3,561,500 | 775 | 4.43/5.0 |
| Staywell | 24 | $3,486,794 | 3714 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Studebecker | 39 | $3,216,188 | 1820 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Sonder (Chicago) | 41 | $2,344,456 | 6546 | 4.57/5.0 |
| Patty | 24 | $2,186,985 | 1052 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Innesa | 28 | $2,040,438 | 1066 | 4.57/5.0 |
| Nicole And Matt | 19 | $1,953,251 | 1658 | 4.91/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Chicago.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Chicago STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Chicago. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsChicago Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Chicago
- The Chicago Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 78.4% of the 5,573 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Chicago, Apartment/Condo properties are the most common (74.4%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 19.8% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- Smaller segments like hotel/boutique, others, outdoor/unique (combined 5.9%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Chicago Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Chicago
- The dominant room capacity in Chicago is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 28.4% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom properties represent 54.8% of the active Airbnb listings in Chicago, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 26.6% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Chicago.
Chicago Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Chicago
- The most common guest capacity trend in Chicago vacation rentals is listings accommodating 4 guests (20.1%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely small families or groups.
- Properties designed for 4 guests and 8+ guests dominate the Chicago STR market, accounting for 37.0% of listings.
- 34.5% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Chicago.
- On average, properties in Chicago are equipped to host 4.1 guests.
Chicago Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Chicago
- The most common availability pattern in Chicago falls within the 91-180 days range, representing 34.3% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 54.7% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 181-270 days range is most frequent in Chicago (35%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 47.1% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Chicago Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
110 listings
2.1% of total
2 Nights
2800 listings
54.6% of total
3 Nights
475 listings
9.3% of total
4-6 Nights
165 listings
3.2% of total
7-29 Nights
205 listings
4% of total
30+ Nights
1369 listings
26.7% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Chicago is 2 Nights, adopted by 54.6% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A significant segment (26.7%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Chicago, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 2 Nights minimum stay, as 54.6% of Chicago hosts use this setting.
- If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 2.1% currently do.
- A 2-night minimum appears standard (54.6%). Consider this for weekends or peak periods.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 26.7% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Chicago.
Chicago Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Non-refundable
14 listings
0.3% of total
Refundable
11 listings
0.2% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
12 listings
0.2% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
20 listings
0.4% of total
Flexible
711 listings
14.6% of total
Moderate
1290 listings
26.5% of total
Firm
1021 listings
21% of total
Strict
1786 listings
36.7% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Chicago
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Chicago is Strict, used by 36.7% of listings.
- A majority (57.7%) of hosts in Chicago utilize Firm or Strict policies, indicating a market where hosts prioritize booking security.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Strict policy to align with the 36.7% market standard in Chicago.
- With 36.7% using Strict terms, this is a viable option in Chicago, particularly for high-value properties or during peak demand periods.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Chicago.
Chicago STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Chicago
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Chicago is 42 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during July (average 64 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in February (average 26 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (60 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (31 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (42 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Chicago.
- For July stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 64 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 60 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Chicago averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Chicago (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Chicago
- Essential amenities in Chicago that guests expect include: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Heating, Carbon monoxide alarm. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Kitchen, Hot water, TV are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Chicago: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Heating, Carbon monoxide alarm.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Heating, Carbon monoxide alarm.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Kitchen or Hot water to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Chicago to stay competitive.
Chicago Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Chicago
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Chicago consists of primarily domestic travelers (87%), often arriving from nearby Chicago, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 86.7% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (86.7%) and Canada (2.7%).
- Top languages spoken are English (63.3%) followed by Spanish (15.4%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from Chicago and New York.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Chicago Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Sugar Creek | 17 | $8,213 | $658.36 | 50% |
| Twin Lakes | 26 | $6,719 | $515.43 | 45% |
| Fennville | 10 | $5,326 | $372.77 | 44% |
| Saugatuck Township | 140 | $5,282 | $462.94 | 43% |
| Laketown Township | 62 | $5,207 | $457.63 | 45% |
| Port Sheldon Township | 27 | $5,185 | $511.35 | 52% |
| Lake Geneva | 167 | $4,958 | $408.65 | 44% |
| Lake Villa | 10 | $4,889 | $294.85 | 57% |
| McHenry | 31 | $4,820 | $436.41 | 44% |
| New Buffalo Township | 253 | $4,731 | $602.57 | 36% |