Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Columbia, Missouri, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Columbia? 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 Columbia:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Columbia?
The short-term rental market in Columbia 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 $2,009 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,333 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $5,181+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,123
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Columbia
The market in Columbia 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 45% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 65% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 83%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 25%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Columbia
Daily rates in Columbia 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 $118 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $192 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $314+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $77
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Columbia
Peak Season (June, August, November)
- Revenue peaks at $3003.73 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 58.00%
- Daily rates average $178.57
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2618.30 per month
- Occupancy maintains 45.95%
- Daily rates hold at $158.86
Low Season (February, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1645.62 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 35.29%
- Daily rates adjust to $143.92
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Columbia in 2025?
Yes! Columbia demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 46% and strong monthly revenue averaging $2618 and With 349 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 Columbia
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| University District | Vibrant area surrounding the University of Missouri, popular among students, faculty, and visitors. Great for short-term rentals catering to university events and activities. | University of Missouri, Mizzou Botanic Garden, The Columns, Faurot Field, Missouri Theatre |
| Downtown Columbia | The heart of Columbia featuring a lively atmosphere with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Ideal for tourists exploring the city and attending local events. | Columbia Farmers Market, The Blue Note, Museum of Art and Archaeology, Cherry Hill, Shelter Gardens |
| Old North Columbia | Historic neighborhood known for its charming homes and community feel. Attracts visitors looking for a quieter stay while being close to downtown. | Old North AIDS Memorial, Fairview Park, North Village Arts District, Stephens Lake Park |
| East Columbia | A developing area with shopping centers and family-friendly activities. Suitable for guests looking for suburban convenience close to amenities. | Columbia Mall, Latter-day Saints Temple, Stephens Lake Park, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park |
| West Columbia | Residential area with easy access to parks and recreational facilities, appealing to families and travelers seeking tranquility. | Rock Bridge State Park, Clear Creek Trail, Twin Lakes Recreation Area, City of Refuge Gardens |
| South Providence | A bustling area with diverse dining options and proximity to parks, popular among travelers looking for convenience and variety. | Grindstone Nature Area, Cosmic Cafe, Hagan and Fernandez Park, Columbia Country Club |
| North Central Columbia | A mix of residential and recreational areas providing easy access to nature and community spaces, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and families. | Gans Creek Recreation Area, Lake of the Woods, Bear Creek Trail, Southwest Park |
| Northwest Columbia | Primarily residential but close to major attractions and outlets, making it a good choice for families visiting for events or shopping. | Northwest Park, Columbia Sports Fieldhouse, Kirkwood Park, Honeywell Aerospace |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Columbia?
We recommend checking directly with Columbia'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 Columbia
Mega retreat
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Stunning Freshly Remodeled Historic Home- Downtown
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Newly Built Home w/ Fresh Design
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Briarwood Central
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
The Yellow House in Columbia MO
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
The Walter Miller House
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Columbia
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan | 19 | $367,750 | 1958 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Matthew | 8 | $278,208 | 977 | 4.32/5.0 |
| Nathan | 2 | $254,215 | 154 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Cassy | 3 | $228,764 | 96 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Nick | 4 | $217,829 | 318 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Stephen | 4 | $194,929 | 76 | 3.69/5.0 |
| Morgan | 2 | $157,780 | 67 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Cory | 3 | $138,549 | 335 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Lola And Babak | 8 | $135,465 | 540 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Michael | 3 | $130,864 | 152 | 4.83/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Columbia
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 (80.8%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 87.9% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, boutique & hotels segments (5.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 349 properties in Columbia shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 24.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms together representing 47.6% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (24.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (3.4%)
- Market concentration: 47.6% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 349 properties in Columbia reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 20.6% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.4 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 4 guests make up 40.4% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (20.6% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.4 guests per property
- Market concentration: 40.4% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 349 properties in Columbia, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (31.8% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (34.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (31.8%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (34.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 56.4%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 46.1%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
163 listings
50.8% of total
2 Nights
106 listings
33% of total
3 Nights
15 listings
4.7% of total
4-6 Nights
14 listings
4.4% of total
7-29 Nights
15 listings
4.7% of total
30+ Nights
8 listings
2.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 83.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 4.4% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (2.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 88.5% 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
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 60 Days
2 listings
0.6% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
3 listings
1% of total
Flexible
84 listings
26.9% of total
Moderate
99 listings
31.7% of total
Firm
61 listings
19.6% of total
Strict
63 listings
20.2% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 31.7% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (58.6%) and strict (39.8%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.6% 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
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in May, Oct, Nov, averaging 66 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Feb, Aug, Jan, averaging 36 days
- Fall shows the longest average booking window at 60 days, while Winter has the shortest at 39 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Fall bookings at least 60 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Feb-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Columbia
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Columbia:
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 DC (0.2%)
- English is the top language at 85.3%, followed by Spanish (8.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for St. Louis and Kansas City 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 Columbia. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innsbrook | 173 | $4,234 | $353.68 | 38% |
| Linn Creek | 22 | $4,213 | $346.72 | 42% |
| Friedenswald | 11 | $3,898 | $392.46 | 44% |
| Sunrise Beach | 228 | $3,829 | $417.21 | 41% |
| Roach | 28 | $3,415 | $364.11 | 45% |
| Gravois Mills | 117 | $3,340 | $326.55 | 42% |
| Climax Springs | 32 | $3,005 | $349.55 | 36% |
| Rocky Mount | 103 | $2,945 | $327.07 | 38% |
| Union | 13 | $2,738 | $209.34 | 47% |
| Washington | 73 | $2,581 | $238.43 | 38% |
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