Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines? 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 Des Moines:

Average Daily Rate

$136

Occupancy Rate

49.27%

Annual Revenue

$24,562

Revenue Growth YoY

56.59%

Best Month

June

Worst Month

January

Regulation

Low

Active Listings

480

How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Des Moines?

The short-term rental market in Des Moines 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 $2,008 per month
Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,190 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $5,305+ monthly
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,055

Revenue Variations by Month

Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Des Moines

The market in Des Moines 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 48% occupancy rates
Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 69% or higher
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 83%+occupancy
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 29%

Occupancy Variations by Month

Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Des Moines

Daily rates in Des Moines 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 $108 per night
Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $162 or more
Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $252+ per night
Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $78

Daily Rate Variations by Month

Get Live Des Moines Market Intelligence 👇

🏠

Explore Real-time Analytics

Seasonality patterns in Des Moines

Peak Season (June, May, August)

Revenue peaks at $3476.26 per month
Occupancy rates reach 61.36%
Daily rates average $143.68

Shoulder Season

Revenue averages $2536.52 per month
Occupancy maintains 48.70%
Daily rates hold at $135.23

Low Season (September, December, January)

Revenue drops to $1427.82 per month
Occupancy decreases to 35.06%
Daily rates adjust to $129.03

Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Des Moines in 2025?

Yes! Des Moines demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 49% and strong monthly revenue averaging $2537 and With 480 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 Des Moines

Area	Why Choose This Area	Key Attractions
Downtown Des Moines	The vibrant heart of the city, Downtown Des Moines is known for its cultural and entertainment offerings. It attracts both business travelers and tourists with its lively atmosphere and proximity to major attractions.	Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines Art Center, Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines Civic Center, Outlets of Des Moines
East Village	A trendy neighborhood that offers a mix of boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. It's popular with young professionals and visitors looking for a unique urban experience.	State Capitol, East Village boutiques, Cafes and breweries, Culinary District, Farmers Market
West Des Moines	A suburban area with easy access to downtown Des Moines, West Des Moines offers a quieter atmosphere with family-friendly amenities. It's attractive for longer-term stays and corporate housing.	Jordan Creek Town Center, Valley Junction, Parks and recreational areas, Kelley Park, The Knapp Center
Historic Valley Junction	Known for its charming historic buildings and local shops, this district is perfect for visitors looking for a quaint experience and regular events like farmers' markets and festivals.	Historic shops, Art galleries, Valley Junction Arts Festival, Parks, Dining options
Ingersoll Avenue	A lively street filled with trendy shops, restaurants, and bars that offers a mix of local and national brands. It's popular among both locals and visitors for its vibrant social scene.	Ingersoll Wine and Spirits, Local eateries, Brewery District, Iowa Taproom, Dining and nightlife
Merle Hay Road	A well-known retail corridor that attracts a mix of shoppers and diners. This area is convenient for families and tourists looking for accessibility to various amenities.	Merle Hay Mall, Shopping centers, Restaurants, Close proximity to parks, Family-friendly activities
South Side	A growing area in Des Moines that offers a more suburban feel, ideal for families and long-term visitors seeking a peaceful environment yet with access to city amenities.	Various parks, Family-oriented events, Historic neighborhoods, Local dining, Community festivals
North End	An up-and-coming neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial spaces, this area attracts those looking for affordable options and a diverse community atmosphere.	Community parks, Local businesses, Cultural diversity, Historic homes, Emerging dining options

Do you need a license for Airbnb in Des Moines?

$359.51

Daily Rate

Top Performing Professional Hosts in Des Moines

Host Name	Properties	Grossing Revenue	Stay Reviews	Avg Rating
Sheryl	33	$749,620	442	3.80/5.0
Michael	19	$647,800	712	4.79/5.0
Dan	13	$548,927	837	4.85/5.0
Jesse	4	$342,721	218	4.97/5.0
Sleepover	26	$297,323	998	4.34/5.0
Seth	5	$276,776	498	4.81/5.0
Elijah	4	$276,732	180	4.85/5.0
Josiah	7	$253,892	316	4.76/5.0
Sarah	5	$226,130	183	4.64/5.0
Anna And Blake	6	$220,235	233	4.81/5.0

Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Des Moines

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:

Show Advanced Metrics

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Key Insights

Market dominated by entire home listings (86.5%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 95.6% of inventory
Untapped potential in others, boutique & hotels, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (4.3% combined)

Room Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 480 properties in Des Moines shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 30.4% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 56.7% of all listings.

Key Insights

Most common: 1 bedroom (30.4%)
Least common: 5+ bedrooms (3.5%)
Market concentration: 56.7% in top 2 sizes
Market skew: Favors smaller properties

Guest Capacity Distribution

Analysis of 480 properties in Des Moines reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 21.7% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 8+ guests make up 41.3% of the market.

Key Insights

Most common capacity: 4 guests (21.7% of market)
Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.6% of market)
Average guest capacity: 4.5 guests per property
Market concentration: 41.3% in top 2 capacity sizes
Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities

Booking and Availability Patterns

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Among 480 properties in Des Moines, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (34.8% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (36% of properties).

Key Insights

Most common availability window: 91-180 days (34.8%)
Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (36%)
Properties with high availability (180+ days): 52.5%
Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 50.0%

Minimum Stay Distributions

1 Night (54.1%)

1 Night

239 listings

54.1% of total

2 Nights (26.2%)

2 Nights

116 listings

26.2% of total

3 Nights (7.2%)

3 Nights

32 listings

7.2% of total

4-6 Nights (2.5%)

4-6 Nights

11 listings

2.5% of total

7-29 Nights (4.1%)

7-29 Nights

18 listings

4.1% of total

30+ Nights (5.9%)

30+ Nights

26 listings

5.9% of total

Key Insights

Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 80.3%
Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 2.5% of listings
Monthly+ stays (5.9%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
High market flexibility with 87.5% 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
Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays

Cancellation Policy Distribution

Super Strict 60 Days (1%)

Super Strict 60 Days

4 listings

1% of total

Flexible (20.8%)

Flexible

87 listings

20.8% of total

Moderate (26.8%)

Moderate

112 listings

26.8% of total

Firm (24.6%)

Firm

103 listings

24.6% of total

Strict (26.8%)

Strict

112 listings

26.8% of total

Key Insights

Moderate is the preferred policy at 26.8% of listings
The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (47.6%) and strict (51.4%) policies
Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 1.0% of listings

Recommendations

Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline

Booking Lead Time Trends

Key Insights

Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, Aug, May, averaging 57 days
Shortest booking windows are in Nov, Dec, Jan, averaging 27 days
Summer shows the longest average booking window at 57 days, while Winter has the shortest at 28 days

Recommendations

Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 57 days in advance
Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Nov-Jan when lead times are shortest

Popular Airbnb Amenities in Des Moines

Every property in Des Moines comes standard with Air conditioning, and Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:

Traveler Demographics

Guest Origin Distribution

Top 5 Cities of Origin

Top 5 Countries of Origin

Top 5 Languages Spoken

Age Distribution

Key Insights

Domestic travelers make up 97.3% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
Primary international markets: Canada (0.5%) and DC (0.4%)
English is the top language at 82.7%, followed by Spanish (12.2%)
Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.8%

Recommendations

Target marketing campaigns for Des Moines and Minneapolis markets
Develop localized content for Canada and DC
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 Des Moines. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:

Market	Properties	Monthly Revenue	Daily Rate	Occupancy
Moravia	10	$3,006	$230.71	42%
Urbandale	25	$2,756	$253.56	46%
Ames	85	$2,728	$194.63	46%
Pella	43	$2,590	$169.99	48%
Grimes	14	$2,439	$155.88	41%
Ankeny	59	$2,430	$174.77	49%
Waverly	16	$2,353	$155.44	51%
Oskaloosa	13	$2,340	$154.75	50%
West Des Moines	108	$2,316	$157.27	53%
Knoxville	14	$2,237	$190.31	37%

How is your STR performing?

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Enjoy the best-in-class AI-powered analytics for free!

Discover Insights