Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Columbia Falls, Montana, 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 Falls? 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 Falls:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Columbia Falls?
The short-term rental market in Columbia Falls 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 $3,376 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $6,030 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $9,202+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,768
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Columbia Falls
The market in Columbia Falls 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 44% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 66% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 82%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 23%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Columbia Falls
Daily rates in Columbia Falls 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 $239 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $338 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $476+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $157
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Columbia Falls
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue peaks at $7466.28 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 70.44%
- Daily rates average $326.13
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4456.63 per month
- Occupancy maintains 45.33%
- Daily rates hold at $279.49
Low Season (December, January, November)
- Revenue drops to $2345.21 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 30.65%
- Daily rates adjust to $250.00
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Columbia Falls in 2025?
Yes! Columbia Falls demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 45% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4457 and With 499 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 Falls
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Glacier National Park | A stunning national park known for its breathtaking natural beauty, hiking, and outdoor activities. A prime destination for tourists seeking adventure and nature. | Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald, Grinnell Glacier, Many Glacier, Iceberg Lake |
| Columbia Falls City Center | The heart of Columbia Falls with a small-town charm. Close to local shops, restaurants, and the gateway to Glacier National Park. | Columbia Falls Golf Club, River View Park, local dining spots, art galleries, community events |
| West Glacier | The entry point to Glacier National Park, popular for its proximity to park activities and amenities. Ideal for nature lovers and park visitors. | Glacier Park Lodge, West Glacier Village, Flathead River, Rafting and boat tours |
| Hungry Horse | A charming area near the Hungry Horse Reservoir, it's great for those looking for lake activities and access to nature. Perfect for family getaways. | Hungry Horse Dam, Hungry Horse Reservoir, hiking trails, fishing spots |
| Camas Meadows | An area known for its scenic meadows and outdoor sports, ideal for travelers looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure. | Camas Meadows Golf Course, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, picnic areas |
| Whitefish | A vibrant mountain town known for its ski resort and outdoor activities year-round. A favorite for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. | Whitefish Mountain Resort, Whitefish Lake, Downtown Whitefish shops, restaurants and nightlife |
| Bigfork | Located near Flathead Lake, Bigfork offers a picturesque setting with arts, culture, and outdoor recreation opportunities. | Flathead Lake State Park, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, local art galleries, water sports |
| Flathead Lake | Known for its stunning lake views and recreational opportunities, Flathead Lake is ideal for water activities and relaxation. | Flathead Lake beaches, boating and fishing, picnic areas, scenic drives |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Columbia Falls?
We recommend checking directly with Columbia Falls'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 Falls
MTN View/On River w/Hot Tub/EV Charger
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Glacier Mountain Ranch Lodge
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Glacier Escape - Panoramic Mountain & River Views!
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Glacier Estate - Scenic Mountain & River Views!
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Silo - Unique and Spacious Cabin
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
Modern Tiny Home Close To Glacier, Skiing
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Columbia Falls
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 5 | $602,397 | 439 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Evolve | 17 | $573,413 | 372 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Swell | 10 | $523,615 | 595 | 4.88/5.0 |
| David | 4 | $488,823 | 298 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Ruis | 22 | $418,610 | 681 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Christie | 8 | $404,686 | 445 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Beyond | 7 | $395,219 | 140 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Wonderstone | 11 | $364,091 | 274 | 3.50/5.0 |
| Vacay | 7 | $355,259 | 104 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Rickie | 6 | $325,513 | 107 | 4.85/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Columbia Falls
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 (89.6%), with house and outdoor & mobile properties comprising 66.3% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (36.4%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in unique stays, others segments (4.4% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 499 properties in Columbia Falls shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 32.1% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 61.3% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (32.1%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (3.2%)
- Market concentration: 61.3% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 499 properties in Columbia Falls reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 31.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.8 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 6 guests make up 53.5% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (31.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.2% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.8 guests per property
- Market concentration: 53.5% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 499 properties in Columbia Falls, 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 (43.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (41.1%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (43.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 81.0%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 20.6%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
133 listings
28.7% of total
2 Nights
170 listings
36.6% of total
3 Nights
95 listings
20.5% of total
4-6 Nights
26 listings
5.6% of total
7-29 Nights
15 listings
3.2% of total
30+ Nights
25 listings
5.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 65.3%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 5.6% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (5.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 85.8% 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 30 Days
20 listings
4.3% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
26 listings
5.6% of total
Flexible
39 listings
8.4% of total
Moderate
71 listings
15.4% of total
Firm
158 listings
34.2% of total
Strict
148 listings
32% of total
Key Insights
- Firm is the preferred policy at 34.2% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 66.2% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Firm policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 4.3% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 66.2% 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 101 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Feb, Dec, Jan, averaging 45 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 94 days, while Winter has the shortest at 45 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 94 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 Falls
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Columbia Falls:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 92.2% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (4.6%) and DC (0.5%)
- English is the top language at 84%, followed by Spanish (8.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.7%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Missoula and New York 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 Falls. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Glacier | 75 | $4,754 | $442.48 | 57% |
| Whitefish | 970 | $3,727 | $404.49 | 41% |
| Rollins | 19 | $3,716 | $639.36 | 46% |
| Superior | 29 | $3,628 | $494.14 | 43% |
| Babb | 55 | $3,449 | $275.10 | 64% |
| Dayton | 17 | $3,263 | $398.23 | 46% |
| Martin City | 45 | $3,130 | $239.83 | 57% |
| Somers | 70 | $3,112 | $363.75 | 46% |
| Kalispell | 516 | $2,950 | $268.17 | 51% |
| Area B (Lake Koocanusa) | 28 | $2,912 | $355.20 | 41% |
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