Ames Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Iowa, United States

Source: AirROI
Last updated: 2025-03-31

Is Airbnb profitable in Ames in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Ames, Iowa, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Ames, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 84 active listings.

Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Ames, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Ames Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.

Key Ames Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview

Avg. Daily Rate (ADR)(?)
$198
The average rental revenue earned for an occupied room per day in Ames.
Occupancy Rate(?)
46.0%
Moderate demand with booking opportunities.
Median Annual Revenue(?)
$30,811
Typical annual income for an Airbnb listing in Ames. Factors like property type, size, and location influence actual earnings.
Revenue Growth YoY(?)
65.8%
Strong growth (65.8%) vs. last year.
Peak Revenue Month(?)
May
The month with the highest average earnings, indicating peak season in Ames.
Lowest Revenue Month(?)
March
The month with the lowest average earnings, indicating the low season in Ames.
STR Regulation Level(?)
Low
Fewer regulations, offering more operational flexibility.
Active Airbnb Listings(?)
84
Total number of active short-term rentals listed.

Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Ames (2025)

Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Ames 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 Ames is typically May, while March often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Ames across different performance tiers:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $5,825+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $3,869 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
  • Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,286 per month, representing the average market performance.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,026, often with potential for optimization.

Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Ames

Ames Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)

Maximize your bookings by understanding the Ames STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Augustsees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while April 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 Ames:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 76%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 59% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
  • Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 41%.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 24% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.

Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Ames

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Ames (2025)

Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Ames involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Ames typically peaks in December and dips lowest during April. 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 $376+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $219 or more.
  • Typical properties (Median) charge around $140 per night.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $100 per night.

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Ames

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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Ames (2025)

Peak Season (May, June, August)
  • Revenue averages $3,817 per month
  • Occupancy rates average 49.4%
  • Daily rates average $173
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $2,930 per month
  • Occupancy maintains around 42.2%
  • Daily rates hold near $182
Low Season (January, February, March)
  • Revenue drops to average $1,840 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to average 38.0%
  • Daily rates adjust to average $194

Seasonality Insights for Ames

  • The Airbnb seasonality in Ames 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 Ames's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $3,980, occupancy reaching a high of 62.7%, and ADRs peaking at $204.
  • 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 $1,719, occupancy could drop to 30.8%, and ADRs may adjust down to $168.
  • 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 Ames.

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 Ames seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.

Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Ames (2025)

Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Ames? 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 / AreaWhy Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal)Key Attractions & Landmarks
Downtown Ames
The cultural and commercial heart of Ames, offering a mix of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Ideal for travelers looking for accessibility to local attractions and amenities.
Reiman Gardens, Ames City Hall, Furman Aquatic Center, Historic Main Street, Octagon Center for the Arts
ISU Campus Area
Proximity to Iowa State University makes this area popular with students, faculty, and visitors attending university events. Strong demand for short-term rentals year-round.
Iowa State University, Hilton Coliseum, Jack Trice Stadium, Brunnier Art Museum, Reiman Gardens
North Ames
A residential area with parks and family-friendly amenities. Attractive for families visiting or relocating to Ames, and has a quieter atmosphere.
Ames Middle School, Beyer Park, Ada Hayden Heritage Park, North River Valley Trail
South Ames
Known for its suburban charm and close-knit community feel, South Ames hosts several parks and is ideal for longer stays.
Brookside Park, Ames Golf and Country Club, Ames Public Library, South River Valley Trail
East Ames
A developing area with new shopping complexes and residential developments. Great for guests looking to be near amenities without the hustle of downtown.
Ames Mall, Gateway Hills Park, East Lincoln Way
West Ames
A quieter area with ample residential facilities and parks. Attractive for guests who prefer a more laid-back environment but with quick access to the city.
Basset Creek Park, Sawyer School, Ames Roller Hockey
Ames Industrial Park
Ideal for business travelers and corporate guests, due to its proximity to various companies and business centers in the industrial area.
Ames Industrial Park, Business Innovation Zone
Story City
Just a short drive from Ames, this charming community offers a quiet escape with local shops and parks, appealing to guests who want a small-town feel close to Ames.
Story City Carousel, Story City Historical Society, Pioneer Park

Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Ames (2025)

While Ames, Iowa, United States currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Ames to ensure full compliance before hosting.

(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Ames (2025)

Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Amesbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.

The Scarlet-Fitness Zone-Kng Bed

The Scarlet-Fitness Zone-Kng Bed

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$118,005
Revenue
54.5%
Occupancy
$409.19
Daily Rate
A Renovated Gathering House

A Renovated Gathering House

Entire Place • 5 bedrooms

$92,671
Revenue
52.0%
Occupancy
$514.36
Daily Rate
The Gathering House

The Gathering House

Entire Place • 5 bedrooms

$91,033
Revenue
34.5%
Occupancy
$777.77
Daily Rate
Family-Friendly Retreat: Cozy & Spacious Haven

Family-Friendly Retreat: Cozy & Spacious Haven

Entire Place • 6 bedrooms

$82,727
Revenue
46.9%
Occupancy
$504.59
Daily Rate
Lots of Room close to Action in AMES!

Lots of Room close to Action in AMES!

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$78,669
Revenue
53.1%
Occupancy
$538.63
Daily Rate
Downtown Renovated Charmer, near ISU

Downtown Renovated Charmer, near ISU

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$78,414
Revenue
47.3%
Occupancy
$351.37
Daily Rate

Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.

Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Ames (2025)

Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Ames based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
Allan2$183,704695.00/5.0
DeAndre1$118,005334.61/5.0
Sam3$116,0861214.88/5.0
Vector5$115,143833.68/5.0
Epic Stays3$101,3111924.87/5.0
Gina2$90,2431004.96/5.0
Host #4796704871$82,72764.17/5.0
Jill1$78,66945.00/5.0
Austin1$78,414355.00/5.0
Ashley2$70,4367164.99/5.0

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 Ames.

Dive Deeper: Advanced Ames STR Market Data (2025)

Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Ames. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.

Explore Advanced Metrics

Ames Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Market Composition Insights for Ames

  • The Ames Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 83.3% of the 84 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
  • Looking at the property type distribution in Ames, House properties are the most common (71.4%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
  • Houses represent a significant 71.4% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
  • Smaller segments like outdoor/unique, others, hotel/boutique (combined 4.8%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.

Ames Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution

Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms

Room Capacity Insights for Ames

  • The dominant room capacity in Ames is 3 bedrooms listings, making up 27.4% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for families or small groups.
  • Together, 3 bedrooms and 4 bedrooms properties represent 45.3% of the active Airbnb listings in Ames, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
  • A significant 53.6% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Ames.

Ames Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)

Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity

Guest Capacity Insights for Ames

  • The most common guest capacity trend in Ames vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (32.1%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
  • Properties designed for 8+ guests and 4 guests dominate the Ames STR market, accounting for 48.8% of listings.
  • 51.2% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Ames.
  • On average, properties in Ames are equipped to host 5.0 guests.

Ames Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Booking Pattern Insights for Ames

  • The most common availability pattern in Ames falls within the 91-180 days range, representing 40.5% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
  • Approximately 53.5% 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 Ames (40.5%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
  • A notable 47.6% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.

Ames Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis

Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement

1 Night (50%)

1 Night

37 listings

50% of total

2 Nights (37.8%)

2 Nights

28 listings

37.8% of total

3 Nights (5.4%)

3 Nights

4 listings

5.4% of total

30+ Nights (6.8%)

30+ Nights

5 listings

6.8% of total

Key Insights

  • The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Ames is 1 Night, adopted by 50% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
  • A strong majority (87.8%) of the Ames Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.

Recommendations

  • Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 50% of Ames hosts use this setting.
  • Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 6.8% of the market seeking extended stays.
  • Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Ames.

Ames Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)

Super Strict 30 Days

1 listings

1.3% of total

Flexible (34.2%)

Flexible

26 listings

34.2% of total

Moderate (34.2%)

Moderate

26 listings

34.2% of total

Firm (19.7%)

Firm

15 listings

19.7% of total

Strict (10.5%)

Strict

8 listings

10.5% of total

Cancellation Policy Insights for Ames

  • The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Ames is Flexible, used by 34.2% of listings.
  • There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (68.4%) and stricter (30.2%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 34.2% market standard in Ames.
  • Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 10.5% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
  • Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Ames.

Ames STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)

Average Booking Lead Time by Month

Booking Lead Time Insights for Ames

  • The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Ames is 41 days.
  • Guests book furthest in advance for stays during May (average 107 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
  • The shortest booking windows occur for stays in February (average 28 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
  • Seasonally, Spring (76 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (34 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Use the overall average lead time (41 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Ames.
  • For May stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 107 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
  • Target marketing efforts for the Spring season well in advance (at least 76 days) to capture early planners.
  • Monitor your own booking lead times against these Ames averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.

Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Ames (2025)

Amenity Prevalence

Amenity Insights for Ames

  • Essential amenities in Ames that guests expect include: Wifi, Air conditioning, Smoke alarm, Heating. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
  • Popular amenities like Kitchen, Refrigerator, Carbon monoxide alarm are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Ames: Wifi, Air conditioning, Smoke alarm, Heating.
  • Prioritize adding missing essentials: Air conditioning, Smoke alarm, Heating.
  • Consider adding popular differentiators like Kitchen or Refrigerator 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 Ames to stay competitive.

Ames Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)

Guest Origin: Domestic vs. International
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Guest Age Distribution (Birth Decade)

Guest Profile Summary for Ames

  • The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Ames consists of primarily domestic travelers (95%), often arriving from nearby Minneapolis, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
  • Domestic travelers account for 94.6% of guests.
  • Key international markets include United States (94.6%) and Canada (0.6%).
  • Top languages spoken are English (73.9%) followed by Spanish (9.9%).
  • 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 Minneapolis and Chicago.
  • 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 Ames 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.

MarketActive PropertiesMonthly RevenueDaily RateAvg. Occupancy
Urbandale25$2,721$254.4447%
Clear Lake120$2,590$247.6741%
Windsor Heights10$2,512$139.0861%
Pella44$2,272$165.8546%
Ankeny58$2,212$174.0348%
Oskaloosa15$2,210$154.3251%
Waverly17$2,119$152.8049%
Ventura11$2,115$200.7139%
Grimes14$2,044$148.1639%
West Des Moines109$1,996$143.8654%

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