Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Cedar Falls? 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 Cedar Falls:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Cedar Falls?
The short-term rental market in Cedar Falls 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 $1,723 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,191 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $5,974+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,030
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Cedar Falls
The market in Cedar Falls 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 43% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 66% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 82%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 22%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Cedar Falls
Daily rates in Cedar Falls 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 $82 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $170 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $293+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $59
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Cedar Falls
Peak Season (June, May, March)
- Revenue peaks at $3540.42 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 56.25%
- Daily rates average $136.13
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2468.14 per month
- Occupancy maintains 44.63%
- Daily rates hold at $127.36
Low Season (September, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1265.88 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 29.74%
- Daily rates adjust to $119.80
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Cedar Falls in 2025?
Yes! Cedar Falls demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 45% and solid monthly revenue averaging $2468 and With 100 active listings, this emerging market offers significant first-mover advantages. 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 Cedar Falls
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Cedar Falls | Vibrant area with a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Close to the University of Northern Iowa, making it attractive for both tourists and business travelers. | Cedar Falls Historical Society, Isle of Iowa, Downtown Farmers Market, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Pinecrest Village |
| University Area | Proximity to the University of Northern Iowa attracts families, students, and alumni. Great for short-term rentals during school events and graduation. | University of Northern Iowa, McLeod Center, Cedar Falls Community Theatre, Campanile |
| Cedar Falls Historic District | Charming area with historic homes and unique shops. Offers a quaint atmosphere for visitors looking for a smaller-town experience. | Cedar Falls Historic District, Cedar Falls Civic Center, Old Town Hall, Pioneer Village |
| Parks and Nature Areas | Family-friendly neighborhoods close to parks attract guests looking for recreational activities. Ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. | Big Woods Lake, Cedar Falls Dog Park, Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Cedar Falls Recreation Department |
| Main Street | Main Street has a lively atmosphere filled with local shops, cafes, and is a cultural hub in Cedar Falls. Perfect for hosting visitors seeking local experiences. | Valiant Vineyards, The Falls Aquatic Center, Cedar Falls Community Center, Local art galleries |
| Cedar Heights | Residential neighborhood offering a quieter stay while still being close to Cedar Falls' main attractions. Suited for families and longer rentals. | Cedar Heights Park, Pinecrest Park, Golfing at Pheasant Ridge |
| North Cedar Falls | A diverse area which includes parks and residential spaces. It's ideal for families and business travelers who want easy access to amenities and parks. | Cedar River, Cedar Falls Community Center, North Cedar Park |
| South Cedar Falls | Growing area featuring newer developments and close proximity to major highways. A good investment for future growth and accessibility. | Cedar Falls Business Park, CFU Stadium, Black Hawk Park |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Cedar Falls?
We recommend checking directly with Cedar Falls'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 Cedar Falls
Luxurious Cedar Falls Home w/ Pool Table & Theatre
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Brick Beauty Downtown: 3BR + Fenced Yard + Garage!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Modern style large family home.
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Riverfront|sunroom|projector|contractors welcome
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Best for family and friends. Everything you need.
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Cedar Falls Neighborhood House
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Cedar Falls
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirJB | 18 | $429,112 | 323 | 2.89/5.0 |
| Denice | 16 | $171,697 | 418 | 4.15/5.0 |
| Sandy | 3 | $127,322 | 99 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Austin | 1 | $95,935 | 82 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Lindell | 4 | $88,019 | 111 | 4.38/5.0 |
| Tom | 1 | $86,501 | 11 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Mitchell | 1 | $84,457 | 30 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Michael | 1 | $79,852 | 35 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Nathan | 3 | $77,602 | 169 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Kris | 2 | $72,807 | 61 | 4.96/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Cedar Falls
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 (91%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 96.0% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others segments (4.0% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 100 properties in Cedar Falls shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 33% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 3 bedrooms together representing 50.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (33%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (3%)
- Market concentration: 50.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 100 properties in Cedar Falls reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 52% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.7 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 6 guests make up 66.0% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (52% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.7 guests per property
- Market concentration: 66.0% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 100 properties in Cedar Falls, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (38% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (35% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (38%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (35%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 60.0%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 41.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
48 listings
57.1% of total
2 Nights
19 listings
22.6% of total
3 Nights
2 listings
2.4% of total
4-6 Nights
3 listings
3.6% of total
7-29 Nights
8 listings
9.5% of total
30+ Nights
4 listings
4.8% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 79.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 3.6% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (4.8%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 82.1% 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
Super Strict 60 Days
2 listings
2.8% of total
Flexible
15 listings
21.1% of total
Moderate
12 listings
16.9% of total
Firm
21 listings
29.6% of total
Strict
21 listings
29.6% of total
Key Insights
- Firm is the preferred policy at 29.6% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (38.0%) and strict (59.2%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Firm policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 2.8% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Firm policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, Jul, May, averaging 60 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Mar, Feb, Jan, averaging 31 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 56 days, while Winter has the shortest at 36 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 56 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Mar-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Cedar Falls
Every property in Cedar Falls comes standard with Wifi, and Heating. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 98.2% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (0.4%) and United Kingdom (0.3%)
- English is the top language at 84.8%, followed by Spanish (10%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.3%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Des Moines and Chicago markets
- Develop localized content for Canada and United Kingdom
- 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 Cedar Falls. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Heights | 14 | $3,936 | $318.01 | 39% |
| Town of Freeman | 16 | $3,469 | $210.42 | 49% |
| Dorchester | 10 | $3,143 | $250.03 | 44% |
| Urbandale | 25 | $2,756 | $253.56 | 46% |
| De Soto | 25 | $2,754 | $207.60 | 40% |
| Town of Campbell | 18 | $2,739 | $185.41 | 51% |
| Harpers Ferry | 23 | $2,734 | $214.30 | 40% |
| Ames | 85 | $2,728 | $194.63 | 46% |
| Lanesboro | 33 | $2,702 | $262.89 | 41% |
| Iowa City | 124 | $2,680 | $223.04 | 46% |
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