Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake? 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 Clear Lake:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Clear Lake?
The short-term rental market in Clear Lake 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 $2,537 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,476 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $7,249+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,310
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Clear Lake
The market in Clear Lake 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 34% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 56% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 76%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 17%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Clear Lake
Daily rates in Clear Lake 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 $201 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $279 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $407+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $156
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Clear Lake
Peak Season (June, July, August)
- Revenue peaks at $5152.59 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 56.46%
- Daily rates average $262.03
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3410.51 per month
- Occupancy maintains 38.59%
- Daily rates hold at $236.25
Low Season (September, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1722.98 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 25.21%
- Daily rates adjust to $216.78
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Clear Lake in 2025?
Yes! Clear Lake demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 39% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3411 and The market's 124 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 Clear Lake
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake City Park | A popular area for tourists who enjoy outdoor activities, boating, and scenic walks along the lakeshore. Ideal for families and nature enthusiasts. | Clear Lake State Park, Lakeview Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Clear Lake Beach, Boat rentals |
| Downtown Clear Lake | The vibrant heart of Clear Lake, featuring local shops, restaurants, and cafes. A prime location for visitors seeking to explore the local culture and community. | Clear Lake Arts Center, Historic Surf Ballroom, Local dining spots, Shops and boutiques, Summer festivals |
| Clear Lake Waterfront | An attractive spot for those looking to enjoy waterfront activities and stunning lake views. Great choice for a relaxing getaway. | Clear Lake Marina, Waterfront trails, Fishing spots, Swimming areas, Parks with picnic facilities |
| South Shore | Known for its beautiful homes and scenic views, this residential area is perfect for guests who seek a peaceful, upscale retreat near the lake. | Clear Lake Golf Course, Lakefront homes, Quiet beaches, Nature trails, Picnic areas |
| North Shore | A quieter, more residential area that offers charming cottages and easy access to Clearwater. It's ideal for families and groups looking for a homey environment. | Northern State Park, Biking and walking paths, Scenic views of the lake, Local wildlife observation, Community events |
| The Surf District | Famous for the Surf Ballroom and its musical history, this area draws music lovers and history buffs interested in the legacy of rock and roll. | Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake Historical Society, Music festivals, Historical walking tours, Local music venues |
| Clear Lake State Park | A family-friendly destination with camping facilities and outdoor activities. Perfect for nature lovers and those wanting a more rustic experience. | Camping sites, Hiking trails, Wildlife observation, Lake activities, Picnic areas |
| West Lake | A serene part of Clear Lake that offers spacious homes and easy access to the water. Attractive for those wanting a quiet retreat away from the busy areas. | Lake access, Nature trails, Quiet residential streets, Fishing spots, Neighborhood parks |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Clear Lake?
We recommend checking directly with Clear Lake'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 Clear Lake
Luxury 5-Bed Lakefront, 52-ft Walkout Beach
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Rustic 8 Bed+Arcade+Near Lake+Firepit+Poker table
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
North Shore Retreat
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Lakehouse Villa on Clear Lake in Northern Iowa
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Papa's Place By The Lake - CL
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Clear Lake Condo close to downtown & lake (160)
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Clear Lake
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heidi | 3 | $200,021 | 24 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Kiley | 1 | $164,194 | 55 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Abby | 5 | $160,936 | 108 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Stephanie | 1 | $144,241 | 45 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Lori | 1 | $140,014 | 15 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Myron | 2 | $115,810 | 106 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Matthew | 7 | $108,615 | 37 | 3.53/5.0 |
| Alyse | 2 | $108,473 | 107 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Lakeside | 4 | $102,225 | 27 | 3.48/5.0 |
| Paxton | 3 | $99,456 | 167 | 4.90/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Clear Lake
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 (95.2%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 90.3% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, outdoor & mobile, others, unique stays segments (9.6% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 124 properties in Clear Lake shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 36.3% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms together representing 66.1% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (36.3%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (9.7%)
- Market concentration: 66.1% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 124 properties in Clear Lake reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 49.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 6.3 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 66.1% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (49.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (1.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 6.3 guests per property
- Market concentration: 66.1% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 124 properties in Clear Lake, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (41.1% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (41.9% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (41.1%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (41.9%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 80.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 20.2%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
24 listings
21.4% of total
2 Nights
72 listings
64.3% of total
3 Nights
12 listings
10.7% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
0.9% of total
7-29 Nights
2 listings
1.8% of total
30+ Nights
1 listings
0.9% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 85.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (0.9%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 96.4% 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
1 listings
0.9% of total
Flexible
16 listings
14.2% of total
Moderate
21 listings
18.6% of total
Firm
35 listings
31% of total
Strict
40 listings
35.4% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 35.4% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 66.4% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.9% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 66.4% 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 Jul, May, Jun, averaging 108 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Nov, Mar, Sep, averaging 42 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 105 days, while Fall has the shortest at 44 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 105 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Nov-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Clear Lake
Every property in Clear Lake comes standard with Air conditioning, and TV. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.9% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (0.6%) and Canada (0.5%)
- English is the top language at 85.4%, followed by Spanish (11%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 8.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Des Moines and Minneapolis markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom 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 Clear Lake. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings | 15 | $5,917 | $328.38 | 50% |
| Excelsior | 28 | $5,720 | $434.03 | 56% |
| Hudson | 21 | $5,405 | $547.05 | 48% |
| Wayzata | 16 | $4,725 | $359.87 | 55% |
| Inver Grove Heights | 17 | $4,349 | $348.48 | 50% |
| Afton | 10 | $4,129 | $307.99 | 42% |
| Minnetonka | 35 | $4,029 | $293.44 | 50% |
| Burnsville | 26 | $3,844 | $242.26 | 48% |
| Chanhassen | 13 | $3,673 | $258.66 | 51% |
| Wells Township | 11 | $3,420 | $220.93 | 56% |
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