Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Ottawa, Illinois, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Ottawa? 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 Ottawa:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Ottawa?
The short-term rental market in Ottawa 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 $1,965 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,357 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $4,938+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,102
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Ottawa
The market in Ottawa 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 36% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 57% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 77%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 19%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Ottawa
Daily rates in Ottawa 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 $173 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $247 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $311+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $115
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Ottawa
Peak Season (June, July, May)
- Revenue peaks at $3160.91 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 49.61%
- Daily rates average $209.22
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2591.78 per month
- Occupancy maintains 39.56%
- Daily rates hold at $194.50
Low Season (November, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1966.74 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 32.01%
- Daily rates adjust to $183.72
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Ottawa in 2025?
Yes! Ottawa demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 40% and strong monthly revenue averaging $2592 and The market's 140 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. 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 Ottawa
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Ottawa | The heart of the city with a rich history, vibrant arts scene, and many dining options. Ideal for tourists wanting to explore local culture and history. | Ottawa Historic District, Reddick Mansion, Starved Rock State Park, North Central Illinois Regional Museum, Fox River |
| Starved Rock State Park | A natural wonder known for its stunning canyons and scenic views. Popular for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers seeking hiking and adventure. | Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park, Illinois River, Hiking Trails, Waterfalls |
| Lake Holiday | A picturesque lake community offering swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Great for families looking for recreational activities and a relaxing getaway. | Lake Holiday, Fishing and boating, Picnic areas, Trails around the lake, Community events |
| Ottawa Historic Downtown | Known for its charming shops and restaurants, this area attracts visitors interested in historic architecture and a quaint shopping experience. | Ottawa Historic District, Restaurants and Cafes, Local Shops, Art Galleries, Riverfront Park |
| Illinois Riverfront | A beautiful area along the Illinois River, attractive for people looking to enjoy waterfront activities and scenic views. | Illinois River, River Walk, Fishing, Parks along the river, Boating |
| Washington Park | A peaceful neighborhood with a large park that offers outdoor activities and community events. Suitable for families and local visitors. | Washington Park, Playgrounds, Picnic areas, Community events, Walking paths |
| South Ottawa | A quieter residential area with easy access to downtown and local attractions, appealing to those seeking a more subdued vacation experience. | Local restaurants, Community parks, Shopping centers, Quiet neighborhoods, Proximity to downtown |
| Bishop Hill | A historic village known for its art galleries and Swedish heritage, appealing to those interested in culture and history. | Bishop Hill Crafts, Historic buildings, Art galleries, Museums, Cultural festivals |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Ottawa?
We recommend checking directly with Ottawa'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 Ottawa
La Dolce Vita
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Amazing Victorian Home
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
The Cora Pope House
Private Room • 5 bedrooms
Gated Waterfront Retreat 5 min to Starved Rock
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Historic Home near Starved Rock - Selah House
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Ottawa Oasis. Billiards. Pool. King Bed!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Ottawa
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor Inn | 49 | $881,937 | 183 | 2.23/5.0 |
| Ellie | 11 | $272,864 | 423 | 4.70/5.0 |
| Matthew And Stephanie | 5 | $198,238 | 260 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Theresa | 3 | $125,116 | 452 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Taneva | 4 | $95,071 | 250 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Laurie | 4 | $91,734 | 506 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Melissa | 2 | $87,036 | 219 | 4.96/5.0 |
| 92015515 | 1 | $73,662 | 2 | 0.00/5.0 |
| 64565740 | 1 | $71,258 | 34 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Amy | 1 | $69,285 | 29 | 5.00/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Ottawa
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 (95%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 86.4% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, boutique & hotels segments (2.1% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 140 properties in Ottawa shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 45.7% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 65.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (45.7%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.9%)
- Market concentration: 65.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 140 properties in Ottawa reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 32.9% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 6 guests make up 58.6% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (32.9% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (1.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.2 guests per property
- Market concentration: 58.6% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 140 properties in Ottawa, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (37.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (33.6% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (37.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (33.6%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 71.4%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 30.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
42 listings
31.3% of total
2 Nights
75 listings
56% of total
3 Nights
8 listings
6% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
0.7% of total
7-29 Nights
2 listings
1.5% of total
30+ Nights
6 listings
4.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 87.3%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.7% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (4.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 93.3% 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
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
27 listings
25.7% of total
Moderate
24 listings
22.9% of total
Firm
23 listings
21.9% of total
Strict
31 listings
29.5% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 29.5% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (48.6%) and strict (51.4%) policies
- Policy distribution is relatively even, suggesting no strong market preference
- Firm policies are least common at 21.9% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Diverse policy distribution indicates an opportunity to differentiate through policy choice
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Aug, May, averaging 80 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Mar, Jan, averaging 31 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 79 days, while Winter has the shortest at 33 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 79 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 Ottawa
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Ottawa:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.1% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Mexico (0.5%) and Canada (0.4%)
- English is the top language at 79%, followed by Spanish (15.1%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Chicago and Ottawa markets
- Develop localized content for Mexico 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 Ottawa. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Sugar Creek | 17 | $8,462 | $656.67 | 50% |
| Twin Lakes | 29 | $6,383 | $496.08 | 43% |
| Town of Geneva | 50 | $5,456 | $390.81 | 47% |
| Lake Geneva | 166 | $5,240 | $423.13 | 44% |
| McHenry | 33 | $5,151 | $479.42 | 45% |
| Lake Villa | 10 | $5,010 | $301.45 | 58% |
| Schaumburg | 33 | $4,834 | $251.86 | 58% |
| Fontana-on-Geneva Lake | 68 | $4,719 | $499.37 | 38% |
| Addison Township | 14 | $4,686 | $345.39 | 50% |
| Elmhurst | 15 | $4,603 | $317.71 | 52% |
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