Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Columbus, Ohio, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Columbus? 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 Columbus:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Columbus?
The short-term rental market in Columbus 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 $2,360 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,987 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $6,494+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,235
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Columbus
The market in Columbus 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 49% 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 28%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Columbus
Daily rates in Columbus 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 $135 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $212 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $335+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $90
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Columbus
Peak Season (June, May, July)
- Revenue peaks at $4153.28 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 60.45%
- Daily rates average $195.99
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3183.98 per month
- Occupancy maintains 49.26%
- Daily rates hold at $179.82
Low Season (September, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $1862.65 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 38.09%
- Daily rates adjust to $162.31
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Columbus in 2025?
Yes! Columbus demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 49% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3184 and As a mature market with 1975 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 Columbus
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Short North Arts District | A vibrant neighborhood known for its art galleries, boutiques, and nightlife. It attracts young professionals and tourists looking for culture and entertainment. | North Market, Columbus Museum of Art, Graffiti Alley, Linden Square, Numerous restaurants and bars |
| German Village | A historic neighborhood with brick streets and charming architecture. It appeals to visitors interested in history and local culture. | Schiller Park, German Village Meeting Haus, Brewery District, Cafe Napolitana, Historic brick houses |
| Downtown Columbus | The heart of the city, offering business, entertainment, and dining options. Ideal for business travelers and urban explorers. | Scioto Mile, Nationwide Arena, COSI, LeVeque Tower, Restaurants and shops |
| Clintonville | A residential area that offers a local feel with parks and family-friendly activities. It’s attractive for longer-term stays and family vacations. | Olentangy River Trail, Whetstone Park, Clintonville Farmers Market, Local shops and eateries, Parks and green spaces |
| Franklinton | An up-and-coming neighborhood known for its arts scene and community vibe. Attractive to young professionals and artists. | Franklinton Arts District, Brewery District, Local galleries, Sawyer Point, Historic buildings |
| Italian Village | A charming neighborhood with Italian heritage and a growing dining scene. It’s popular for its local restaurants and historic charm. | Julliard Park, Local pizzerias, Boutique shops, Clintonville area events, Art venues |
| The Scioto Mile | A scenic area along the river that features parks, trails, and entertainment options. Great for outdoor enthusiasts and families. | Scioto Audubon Metro Park, Civic Center, Festivals and events, Riverfront trails, Restaurants with river views |
| University District | Home to The Ohio State University, this area attracts students, faculty, and visitors to campus events. | Ohio Stadium, Thompson Library, The Wexner Center for the Arts, Local bars and eateries, Campus activities |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Columbus?
Yes, Columbus requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 78% 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 Columbus
Entire Mansion with Fireplaces
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
Short North • Convention • King Bed •Free Parking
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
This is it! Pool -2 King Bed Suites -Private oasis
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Glenmont Inn-Whole House! Outdoor oasis-Pool,Fire
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
The Pearl
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Stylish Stay on Oak - Columbus!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Columbus
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GH Hospitality | 77 | $4,627,698 | 3374 | 4.59/5.0 |
| Nicole | 46 | $1,959,472 | 9384 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Sergio | 26 | $1,575,365 | 3911 | 4.17/5.0 |
| Tom | 50 | $1,354,153 | 1684 | 4.53/5.0 |
| Ingrid & Mike | 15 | $984,297 | 3740 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Joel | 8 | $853,274 | 938 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Evan | 14 | $846,241 | 690 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Darren | 15 | $737,843 | 1388 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Charlotte | 6 | $661,998 | 509 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Dom | 20 | $660,029 | 1588 | 4.87/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Columbus
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 (83.8%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 95.3% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (4.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,975 properties in Columbus shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 28.3% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 54.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (28.3%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (4.6%)
- Market concentration: 54.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,975 properties in Columbus reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 21.4% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 4 guests make up 41.0% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (21.4% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.5% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 41.0% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 1,975 properties in Columbus, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (33.2% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (33.5% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (33.2%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (33.5%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 54.5%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 48.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
699 listings
39.4% of total
2 Nights
544 listings
30.7% of total
3 Nights
84 listings
4.7% of total
4-6 Nights
57 listings
3.2% of total
7-29 Nights
107 listings
6% of total
30+ Nights
281 listings
15.9% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 70.1%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 3.2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (15.9%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 74.8% 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 60 Days
7 listings
0.4% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
11 listings
0.7% of total
Flexible
355 listings
21% of total
Moderate
649 listings
38.5% of total
Firm
262 listings
15.5% of total
Strict
403 listings
23.9% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 38.5% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (59.5%) and strict (39.4%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.4% 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, Jun, Nov, averaging 57 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Feb, Jan, averaging 29 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 48 days, while Winter has the shortest at 29 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 48 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 Columbus
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Columbus:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 95.7% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (1.4%) and DC (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 6.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Columbus and Cincinnati 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 Columbus. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creola | 11 | $6,771 | $397.51 | 58% |
| Rockbridge | 170 | $5,679 | $390.36 | 49% |
| Sugar Grove | 13 | $5,449 | $432.67 | 44% |
| South Bloomingville | 104 | $5,404 | $295.56 | 54% |
| Victor | 19 | $5,264 | $451.67 | 39% |
| Berlin Township | 11 | $5,242 | $361.55 | 43% |
| Logan | 602 | $5,161 | $356.99 | 48% |
| New Plymouth | 13 | $4,929 | $525.44 | 33% |
| Laurelville | 122 | $4,814 | $330.39 | 45% |
| Swan Township | 88 | $4,687 | $311.85 | 50% |
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