Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Helena, 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 Helena? 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 Helena:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Helena?
The short-term rental market in Helena 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 $2,337 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,851 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $6,084+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,408
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Helena
The market in Helena 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 55% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 72% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 84%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 34%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Helena
Daily rates in Helena 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 $130 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $192 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $301+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $94
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Helena
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue peaks at $4239.67 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 69.97%
- Daily rates average $178.13
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3054.78 per month
- Occupancy maintains 52.31%
- Daily rates hold at $167.41
Low Season (February, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1985.33 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 39.62%
- Daily rates adjust to $159.04
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Helena in 2025?
Yes! Helena demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 52% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3055 and With 250 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 Helena
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Helena | The historic heart of the city, with a vibrant atmosphere and rich history. It's close to key attractions and amenities, making it popular among tourists and business travelers alike. | Montana State Capitol, Holter Museum of Art, Reeder's Alley, Helena Civic Center, Last Chance Gulch |
| East Helena | A rapidly growing area just outside of downtown, East Helena offers a quieter, suburban feel while still being close to Helena's main attractions. Ideal for families and longer stays. | East Helena Historical Museum, Parks and Recreation areas, Local eateries, Easy access to Helena's downtown |
| North Helena | A residential area with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, often appealing to nature lovers and those seeking outdoor activities. Close proximity to trails and parks. | Hauser Lake, Pioneer Park, North Hills trail heads, Local shops and cafes |
| South Helena | A more rural area that offers a peaceful atmosphere with quick access to natural attractions. Great for guests looking to escape city life while still being nearby. | MacDonald Pass, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, Outdoor hiking and biking trails |
| Lincoln | Located about 30 miles from Helena, this small town is great for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a retreat into the mountains. Ideal for short-term vacation rentals. | Scenic mountain views, Cabin rentals, Outdoor recreation, Blackfoot River |
| Clancy | A charming small town just south of Helena, known for its community feel and proximity to recreational activities. Attracts visitors interested in exploring nearby nature. | Local events, Outdoor activities, Biking and hiking trails |
| Canyon Creek | A scenic area with opportunities for fishing and hiking, popular among nature lovers. Offers a more secluded option for visitors. | Fishing spots, Hiking trails, Breathtaking landscapes |
| Augusta | A remote location about 60 miles from Helena, great for those looking for solitude and natural beauty. Perfect for unique Airbnb experiences away from urban life. | Scenic drives, Wildlife watching, Outdoor sports, Muddy Creek Trailhead |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Helena?
We recommend checking directly with Helena'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 Helena
Central 1890s Victorian, Artist's Home
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Orofino Lodge
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
The Hunter’s Lodge on Hauser Lake
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Gateway to the Great Northern
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Governor Leslie's Historic Home
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
The Heart of Helena Breckenridge Retreat for 14+
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Helena
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Pine | 17 | $470,634 | 764 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Garret | 9 | $322,344 | 456 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Evolve | 8 | $285,150 | 215 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Sue | 10 | $228,239 | 710 | 4.71/5.0 |
| Allie | 3 | $178,562 | 332 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Scott | 2 | $146,691 | 254 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Robert | 3 | $146,470 | 129 | 4.86/5.0 |
| Alicia | 5 | $138,280 | 272 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Kim | 3 | $132,507 | 100 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Kelly | 1 | $131,815 | 19 | 5.00/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Helena
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 (84.4%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 72.4% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (19.6%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 250 properties in Helena shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 33.2% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 65.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (33.2%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (3.6%)
- Market concentration: 65.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 250 properties in Helena reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 24.8% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.1 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 43.6% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (24.8% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (2.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 43.6% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 250 properties in Helena, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (34.4% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (34.4% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (34.4%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (34.4%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 53.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 48.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
101 listings
44.9% of total
2 Nights
85 listings
37.8% of total
3 Nights
27 listings
12% of total
4-6 Nights
3 listings
1.3% of total
7-29 Nights
5 listings
2.2% of total
30+ Nights
4 listings
1.8% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 82.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 1.3% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (1.8%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 94.7% 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 30 Days
2 listings
0.9% of total
Flexible
53 listings
23% of total
Moderate
77 listings
33.5% of total
Firm
72 listings
31.3% of total
Strict
26 listings
11.3% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 33.5% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (56.5%) and strict (42.6%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 0.9% 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 Jul, Jun, May, averaging 74 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Mar, Jan, Feb, averaging 35 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 73 days, while Winter has the shortest at 36 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 73 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Mar-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Helena
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Helena:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 94.1% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (3.5%) and United Kingdom (0.6%)
- English is the top language at 82.7%, followed by Spanish (10.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.4%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Missoula and Bozeman 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 Helena. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sky | 931 | $4,880 | $647.72 | 37% |
| Gallatin Gateway | 45 | $4,824 | $401.22 | 47% |
| Bozeman | 757 | $3,763 | $272.37 | 52% |
| Belgrade | 172 | $3,374 | $228.19 | 52% |
| Missoula County | 20 | $3,353 | $336.70 | 41% |
| Hamilton | 118 | $2,996 | $243.65 | 44% |
| Manhattan | 25 | $2,981 | $214.49 | 53% |
| Wolf Creek | 28 | $2,899 | $303.07 | 38% |
| Anaconda | 84 | $2,885 | $249.60 | 43% |
| Townsend | 17 | $2,665 | $223.13 | 47% |
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