Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Cambridge? 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 Cambridge:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Cambridge?
The short-term rental market in Cambridge 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 $2,942 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,342 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $8,976+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,653
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Cambridge
The market in Cambridge 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 62% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 81% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 91%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 34%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Cambridge
Daily rates in Cambridge 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 $155 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $256 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $395+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $94
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Cambridge
Peak Season (October, May, July)
- Revenue peaks at $5182.46 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 68.47%
- Daily rates average $224.87
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4152.08 per month
- Occupancy maintains 56.90%
- Daily rates hold at $205.82
Low Season (February, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $2174.80 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 40.64%
- Daily rates adjust to $188.07
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Cambridge in 2025?
Yes! Cambridge demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 57% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4152 and As a mature market with 669 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. 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 Cambridge
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Square | A historic and cultural hub, home to Harvard University. It attracts students, faculty, and tourists interested in education and history. | Harvard University, Harvard Art Museums, The Harvard Coop, Brattle Theatre, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology |
| Central Square | A vibrant area filled with diverse restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Popular with young professionals and students due to its proximity to MIT and Harvard. | The Sinclair, Central Square Theatre, MIT Museum, Toscanini's Ice Cream, Cambridge Community Center |
| Kendall Square | Known as 'the most innovative square mile on the planet', this area hosts many biotech companies and startups. Great for business travelers and tech enthusiasts. | MIT Media Lab, The Cambridge Innovation Center, Kendall Square Restaurants, Harvard Museum of Natural History, CambridgeSide Galleria |
| Inman Square | A lively neighborhood known for its local eateries and community vibe. It enjoys a mix of long-time residents and younger people. | Sullivan's Theatre, Inman Oasis, MZC Sports Bar, Cambridge Community Television, Various local restaurants and coffee shops |
| Porter Square | A bustling commercial area with a mix of retail, dining, and access to the T train. Attractive to families and commuters. | Porter Square Shopping Center, Harvard Law School, Alewife Reservation, Brattle Film Foundation, Various bookstores and shops |
| Alewife | A suburban enclave with parks and trails, it's appealing to families and those who enjoy outdoor activities while still being connected to the city. | Alewife Brook Reservation, Fresh Pond Reservation, ACMI (Arlington Community Media, Inc.), Lesley University, Various suburban restaurants |
| East Cambridge | An area characterized by its proximity to the Charles River and a mix of residential and commercial spaces, attracting younger residents and professionals. | CambridgeSide Galleria, Charles River Esplanade, Various restaurants, Kendall Square, Regatta Riverview |
| Regent Theatre | A historic performing arts venue area, offering a mix of entertainment options and an artsy vibe popular with culture enthusiasts. | Regent Theatre, Parker's Revenge, Local Art Galleries, Cambridge Historical Society, Performances and live music events |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Cambridge?
Most likely, Cambridge requires a license for Airbnb operations. With 40% of current listings showing licensing information, we recommend checking Cambridge's short-term rental regulations and starting the licensing process before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Cambridge
Exceptional Modern-Yet-Cozy Cambridge Home
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
4BR 3BA Cambridge Oasis - Harvard/MIT/Boston
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Ideal location parking Harvard mansion 4+br 3.5 ba
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Comfy Condo w/River View, Shared Gym, King Bed
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Lux 3 Bedroom Apartment Boston
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Luxury 4BR near Harvard/MIT w/ King Beds+Parking!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Cambridge
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve | 44 | $1,635,447 | 1119 | 2.55/5.0 |
| Johna Magno | 12 | $1,542,020 | 278 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Liya | 48 | $791,724 | 654 | 4.13/5.0 |
| Thatch | 19 | $750,679 | 456 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Adam | 9 | $726,659 | 218 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Hong | 19 | $525,166 | 1310 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Philip | 3 | $497,316 | 329 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Kris | 16 | $386,324 | 322 | 4.63/5.0 |
| Taskin | 21 | $381,195 | 1672 | 4.24/5.0 |
| STARS Of | 7 | $343,255 | 59 | 3.16/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Cambridge
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 private room listings (52.6%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 87.5% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile segments (2.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 669 properties in Cambridge shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 32.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 50.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (32.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (0.9%)
- Market concentration: 50.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 669 properties in Cambridge reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 21.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 2.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 33.3% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (21.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (3.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 2.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 33.3% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 669 properties in Cambridge, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (29% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (26.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (29%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (26.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 55.8%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 46.5%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
122 listings
19.8% of total
2 Nights
104 listings
16.9% of total
3 Nights
77 listings
12.5% of total
4-6 Nights
40 listings
6.5% of total
7-29 Nights
122 listings
19.8% of total
30+ Nights
151 listings
24.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 36.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 6.5% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (24.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 49.2% 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
2 listings
0.3% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
4 listings
0.7% of total
Flexible
60 listings
10.5% of total
Moderate
90 listings
15.7% of total
Firm
161 listings
28.1% of total
Strict
256 listings
44.7% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 44.7% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 72.8% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.3% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 72.8% 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 May, Apr, Jul, averaging 73 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Feb, Jan, averaging 38 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 67 days, while Winter has the shortest at 38 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 67 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Cambridge
Every property in Cambridge comes standard with Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 74.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (4.1%) and United Kingdom (4%)
- English is the top language at 65.2%, followed by Spanish (13.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.3%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for New York and Boston 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 Cambridge. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 11 | $7,203 | $539.76 | 62% |
| Nantucket | 560 | $6,766 | $978.35 | 41% |
| Town of East Hampton | 1,437 | $6,201 | $979.48 | 37% |
| Milton | 12 | $6,009 | $437.69 | 52% |
| Pomfret | 15 | $5,871 | $468.18 | 51% |
| Middletown | 381 | $5,774 | $551.70 | 45% |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea | 14 | $5,528 | $467.31 | 53% |
| Westminster | 11 | $5,502 | $390.76 | 57% |
| Hanover | 25 | $5,431 | $761.11 | 37% |
| Scituate | 84 | $5,295 | $535.40 | 48% |
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