Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Missoula, 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 Missoula? 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 Missoula:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Missoula?
The short-term rental market in Missoula 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 $2,683 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,410 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $6,709+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,583
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Missoula
The market in Missoula 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 52% 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 33%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Missoula
Daily rates in Missoula 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 $152 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $235 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $338+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $104
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Missoula
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue peaks at $5077.13 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 73.98%
- Daily rates average $211.65
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3369.91 per month
- Occupancy maintains 51.72%
- Daily rates hold at $189.66
Low Season (February, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1702.90 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 33.99%
- Daily rates adjust to $172.98
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Missoula in 2025?
Yes! Missoula demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 52% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3370 and As a mature market with 565 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 Missoula
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Missoula | The heart of the city with a vibrant atmosphere, historic buildings, shops, and restaurants. Ideal for tourists looking to experience Missoula's culture and nightlife. | Caras Park, Missoula Art Museum, Brewery District, Historic Wilma Theatre, Clark Fork River, Riverside Park |
| University District | Home to the University of Montana, this area attracts students, families, and visitors for events. Popular with short-term renters during the school year and summer events. | University of Montana, Missoula Children's Theatre, Sports events at the Adams Center, Grizzly Bear Park, University Village |
| Fairview | A residential area that offers a local vibe along with easy access to outdoor activities. Great for families and tourists seeking a more suburban living experience. | Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Kim Williams Trail, Montana Natural History Center |
| Northside | Known for its eclectic vibe and close-knit community feel. This area features unique shops, art spaces, and easy access to the river trails, attracting young creatives. | North Missoula Community Development Corporation, Higgins Street Bridge, Benson's Landing, Waterworks Hill |
| Southside | This residential neighborhood is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and proximity to parks and the river. Popular for those looking for family-friendly accommodations. | Brockway Park, Playfair Park, Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, Fort Missoula Park, Southgate Mall |
| East Missoula | A growing area with affordable housing and proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities. Appeals to budget-conscious travelers and those looking for homey stays. | Mullan Trail, East Missoula Park, Clark Fork River Access |
| Lolo | Situated just south of Missoula, this area offers stunning mountain views and outdoor recreational opportunities, perfect for nature lovers and visitors wanting a getaway. | Lolo National Forest, Lolo Hot Springs, Fish Creek Trail |
| Pattee Canyon | Known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities, this area attracts hikers and nature enthusiasts. Great for hosting guests who enjoy the outdoors. | Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, Hiking trails, Wildlife viewing spots |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Missoula?
Yes, Missoula requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 66% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Missoula
5 bdrm/gas fireplaces/3 blks to UM/close to dwntwn
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Modern home with views, sleeps 8, game room
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Views for Days! Welcome to the Missoula Lookout 🏔
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Panoramic views, 4 lg bdrms, new remodel
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Spacious | Game Room | Hot Tub | Wildlife views
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Fairway Family Retreat
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Missoula
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greg | 25 | $1,164,833 | 1828 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Jennifer | 13 | $429,022 | 1160 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Courtney | 6 | $415,883 | 796 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Plum Property Management | 11 | $403,642 | 227 | 4.77/5.0 |
| Garden City Stays | 7 | $400,017 | 2064 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Scott And Rachel | 4 | $372,177 | 452 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Evolve | 7 | $321,114 | 228 | 4.76/5.0 |
| Tom | 4 | $229,112 | 364 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Brendan & Kristin | 5 | $222,594 | 689 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Laura | 6 | $206,624 | 1059 | 4.94/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Missoula
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 house and apartment & condo properties comprising 84.4% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (3.0% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 565 properties in Missoula shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 32.4% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 60.7% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (32.4%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.1%)
- Market concentration: 60.7% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 565 properties in Missoula reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 27.3% 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 51.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (27.3% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.5% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 51.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 565 properties in Missoula, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (39.1% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (39.5% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (39.1%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (39.5%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 53.3%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 48.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
184 listings
36% of total
2 Nights
187 listings
36.6% of total
3 Nights
35 listings
6.8% of total
4-6 Nights
13 listings
2.5% of total
7-29 Nights
72 listings
14.1% of total
30+ Nights
20 listings
3.9% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 72.6%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 2.5% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (3.9%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 79.4% 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
Flexible
153 listings
28.8% of total
Moderate
175 listings
33% of total
Firm
120 listings
22.6% of total
Strict
83 listings
15.6% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 33.0% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 61.8% of the market
- Strict policies are least common at 15.6% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Moderate policy to align with market preferences
- 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 Jun, Jul, Aug, averaging 83 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Nov, Feb, Jan, averaging 36 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 83 days, while Winter has the shortest at 37 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 83 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Nov-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Missoula
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Missoula:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 96% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (2.4%) and DC (0.3%)
- English is the top language at 83.4%, followed by Spanish (9.7%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.6%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Bozeman and Billings 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 Missoula. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rollins | 19 | $3,716 | $639.36 | 46% |
| Superior | 29 | $3,628 | $494.14 | 43% |
| Missoula County | 20 | $3,353 | $336.70 | 41% |
| Dayton | 17 | $3,263 | $398.23 | 46% |
| Hamilton | 118 | $2,996 | $243.65 | 44% |
| Big Arm | 13 | $2,905 | $454.36 | 50% |
| Anaconda | 84 | $2,885 | $249.60 | 43% |
| Polson | 126 | $2,879 | $326.72 | 48% |
| Victor | 18 | $2,813 | $247.40 | 48% |
| Clinton | 15 | $2,551 | $265.99 | 42% |
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