Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in West 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 West 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 West Des Moines:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in West Des Moines?
The short-term rental market in West 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 $2,571 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,870 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $6,053+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,402
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in West Des Moines
The market in West 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 54% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 70% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 85%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 31%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in West Des Moines
Daily rates in West 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 $119 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $175 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $258+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $83
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in West Des Moines
Peak Season (June, April, July)
- Revenue peaks at $4229.99 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 61.63%
- Daily rates average $165.74
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3113.34 per month
- Occupancy maintains 51.99%
- Daily rates hold at $149.71
Low Season (October, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1661.11 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 40.56%
- Daily rates adjust to $132.59
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in West Des Moines in 2025?
Yes! West Des Moines demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 52% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3113 and The market's 108 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 West Des Moines
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Valley Junction | Charming historic district known for its unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Popular with visitors looking for a quaint, local experience and proximity to community events. | Valley Junction Farmers Market, Art Walks, Unique boutiques, Restaurants and cafes, Historic architecture |
| Jordan Creek | Modern retail and residential area with abundant shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Great for families and travelers seeking convenient access to amenities. | Jordan Creek Town Center, Lake Hachnins, Movie theaters, Diverse dining options, Parks and recreational areas |
| Downtown West Des Moines | Vibrant urban center with a mix of business, dining, and entertainment. Attractive to both business travelers and leisure seekers. | Meredith Corporation, City Center Park, Restaurants and bars, Civic Center, Concerts and events |
| Lake Ankeny | Scenic area surrounding a lake that offers outdoor activities and relaxation. Ideal for families and nature enthusiasts. | Lake Ankeny, Parks and trails, Fishing and boating, Picnic areas, Wildlife viewing |
| Grand Avenue | Main thoroughfare lined with shops and local businesses, providing a good mix of local flavor and convenience. Easy access to residential neighborhoods. | Local restaurants, Shops and services, Community events, Proximity to residential areas, Year-round activities |
| Southwest Willow Estates | Residential neighborhood known for its family-friendly atmosphere and parks. Suitable for visitors looking for a home-like experience. | Parks, Family-friendly amenities, Community centers, Quiet streets, Close to schools |
| Westown Parkway | Commercial hub serving both locals and visitors, with a variety of dining and shopping options. Great for convenience and access. | Shops and restaurants, Business centers, Convenient location, Nearby hotels, Local parks |
| Saylorville Lake | Outdoor recreational area offering a range of activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. Attractive for outdoor enthusiasts. | Saylorville Lake, Parks and trails, Camping sites, Water activities, Wildlife watching |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in West Des Moines?
We recommend checking directly with West Des Moines'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 West Des Moines
West Des Moines modern mansion!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
430 Raccoon River Retreat
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
436 Raccoon River Retreat
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
440 Raccoon River Retreat
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Executive Living 2min to Jordan Creek 6 bed/5 bath
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Gem in West Dsm | 4BD/3BA Home | Perfect Location
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in West Des Moines
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest Hospitality | 32 | $919,511 | 1062 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Scott | 3 | $373,095 | 78 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Universal BNB | 2 | $213,176 | 72 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Josiah | 11 | $199,262 | 318 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Dan | 2 | $180,370 | 131 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Neil | 3 | $78,058 | 89 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Melissa | 1 | $74,622 | 45 | 4.80/5.0 |
| 470570119 | 10 | $74,330 | 116 | 4.58/5.0 |
| Nichole | 2 | $69,655 | 125 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Brenda & Michael | 1 | $63,854 | 86 | 5.00/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in West 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:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (92.6%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 98.2% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others segments (1.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 108 properties in West Des Moines shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 38% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 70.4% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (38%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (4.6%)
- Market concentration: 70.4% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 108 properties in West Des Moines reveals that 6 guests properties dominate the market, representing 22.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 6 guests and 4 guests make up 43.5% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 6 guests (22.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.2 guests per property
- Market concentration: 43.5% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 108 properties in West Des Moines, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (33.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (34.3% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (33.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (34.3%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 57.4%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 42.6%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
20 listings
21.5% of total
2 Nights
32 listings
34.4% of total
3 Nights
15 listings
16.1% of total
4-6 Nights
5 listings
5.4% of total
7-29 Nights
12 listings
12.9% of total
30+ Nights
9 listings
9.7% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 55.9%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 5.4% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (9.7%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 72.0% 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
Flexible
13 listings
14.1% of total
Moderate
22 listings
23.9% of total
Firm
46 listings
50% of total
Strict
11 listings
12% of total
Key Insights
- Firm is the preferred policy at 50.0% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 62.0% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Firm policies
- Strict policies are least common at 12.0% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 62.0% using Firm or Strict terms
- Strong market preference for Firm policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Jun, May, averaging 39 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Mar, Sep, Jan, averaging 18 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 38 days, while Winter has the shortest at 20 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 38 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 West Des Moines
Every property in West Des Moines comes standard with Air conditioning, and Smoke alarm. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.5% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (0.5%) and Canada (0.4%)
- English is the top language at 86%, followed by Spanish (10.7%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Des Moines and Chicago 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 West Des Moines. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
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