Columbus Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Ohio, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Columbus in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Columbus, Ohio, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Columbus, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the bustling market of 1,981 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Columbus, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Columbus Airbnb data is crucial. Navigating the high regulation landscape is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Columbus Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Columbus (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Columbus is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Columbus is typically May, while January often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Columbus across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $5,738+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $3,726 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,269 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,193, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Columbus
Columbus Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Columbus STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Julysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while January experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Columbus:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 85%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 70% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 50%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 28% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Columbus
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Columbus (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Columbus involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Columbus typically peaks in July and dips lowest during January. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $311+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $205 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $136 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $91 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Columbus
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Columbus (2025)
Peak Season (May, June, July)
- Revenue averages $3,813 per month
- Occupancy rates average 53.8%
- Daily rates average $184
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2,921 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 50.3%
- Daily rates hold near $177
Low Season (January, February, March)
- Revenue drops to average $2,079 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 43.1%
- Daily rates adjust to average $160
Seasonality Insights for Columbus
- The Airbnb seasonality in Columbus shows moderate seasonality with distinct peak and low periods. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Columbus's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $3,948, occupancy reaching a high of 60.4%, and ADRs peaking at $185.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $1,917, occupancy could drop to 41.5%, and ADRs may adjust down to $155.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Columbus.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Columbus seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Columbus (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Columbus? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Short North | Vibrant arts and dining district known for its galleries, boutiques, and nightlife. Draws tourists and locals alike for its unique cultural vibe and events. | North Market, Galleries and Street Art, Restaurant and Bar Scene, Goodale Park, Columbus Museum of Art |
| German Village | Historic neighborhood with charming brick streets and traditional architecture. Popular for its rich history, eateries, and proximity to downtown Columbus. | Schiller Park, Brewery District, German Village Meeting Haus, The Book Loft, Historic Brick Streets |
| Downtown Columbus | The central business district, attracting both business travelers and tourists with its mix of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment options. Close to major landmarks. | Scioto Mile, Columbus Convention Center, Nationwide Arena, Ohio Statehouse, Cultural Arts Center |
| University District | Home to The Ohio State University, making it ideal for hosting students, alumni, and visiting families. Offers vibrant dining and nightlife options. | Ohio Stadium, The Ohio State University, Mirror Lake, Goodale Park, Local Breweries |
| Clintonville | Charming residential area with a mix of urban and suburban vibes. Known for its parks and local shops, attracting families and young professionals. | Olentangy River Greenway, Clintonville Farmers' Market, Parks and Nature Trails, Local Restaurants, Shopping Districts |
| Bexley | Affluent suburb with beautiful homes and a close-knit community feel. Attractive for families and those seeking a quiet, upscale atmosphere. | Bexley Historic District, St. Charles Preparatory School, Capital University, Local Parks, Shopping Areas |
| Dublin | Family-friendly suburban area with excellent schools and parks. Known for its annual events and festivals, appealing to families and tourists. | Bridge Park, Dublin Irish Festival, Scioto Park, Historic Dublin, Local Shops and Eateries |
| Franklinton | Emerging artistic neighborhood with a growing community of creatives and entrepreneurs. Attractive for those looking for unique local experiences and events. | Franklinton Arts District, Local Studios and Galleries, Scioto Audubon Metro Park, Events and Festivals, Nearby Waterfront |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Columbus (2025)
Yes, Columbus, Ohio, United States enforces high STR regulations. Obtaining a license and ensuring compliance is almost certainly required according to current 2025 STR laws. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Columbus to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 78% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Columbus (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Columbusbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Spacious 5-Bedroom Home with Hot Tub
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Entire Mansion with Fireplaces
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
5 Bedrooms | Sleeps 14 | Hot Tub | Fire Pit
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
The Werner House w/ Gym, Spa & Speakeasy
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Glenmont Inn-Whole House! Outdoor oasis-Pool,Fire
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Large Private Yard | Hot Tub | Chefs Kitchen!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Columbus (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Columbus based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GH Hospitality | 75 | $3,654,517 | 3296 | 4.53/5.0 |
| Nicole | 46 | $1,875,941 | 9384 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Sergio | 25 | $1,393,435 | 3911 | 4.33/5.0 |
| Charles | 6 | $1,204,573 | 82 | 4.05/5.0 |
| Tom | 46 | $1,121,498 | 1628 | 4.51/5.0 |
| Ingrid & Mike | 15 | $1,046,838 | 3740 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Joel | 8 | $827,294 | 938 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Evan | 14 | $754,770 | 690 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Charlotte | 6 | $694,543 | 509 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Dom | 19 | $645,113 | 1551 | 4.87/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Columbus.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Columbus STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Columbus. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsColumbus Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Columbus
- The Columbus Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 83.6% of the 1,981 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Columbus, House properties are the most common (60.6%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 60.6% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- Smaller segments like hotel/boutique, others, outdoor/unique, unique stays (combined 4.6%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Columbus Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Columbus
- The dominant room capacity in Columbus is 1 bedroom listings, making up 28% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 54.0% of the active Airbnb listings in Columbus, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 33.3% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Columbus.
Columbus Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Columbus
- The most common guest capacity trend in Columbus vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (21.3%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
- Properties designed for 8+ guests and 4 guests dominate the Columbus STR market, accounting for 40.8% of listings.
- 40.8% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Columbus.
- On average, properties in Columbus are equipped to host 4.5 guests.
Columbus Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Columbus
- The most common availability pattern in Columbus falls within the 181-270 days range, representing 33.6% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 57.4% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 181-270 days range is most frequent in Columbus (33.3%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 44.3% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Columbus Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
663 listings
36.2% of total
2 Nights
504 listings
27.5% of total
3 Nights
74 listings
4% of total
4-6 Nights
47 listings
2.6% of total
7-29 Nights
151 listings
8.2% of total
30+ Nights
395 listings
21.5% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Columbus is 1 Night, adopted by 36.2% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (63.7%) of the Columbus Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- A significant segment (21.5%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Columbus, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 36.2% of Columbus hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 21.5% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Columbus.
Columbus Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Super Strict 60 Days
8 listings
0.5% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
12 listings
0.7% of total
Flexible
352 listings
20.8% of total
Moderate
642 listings
38% of total
Firm
269 listings
15.9% of total
Strict
407 listings
24.1% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Columbus
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Columbus is Moderate, used by 38% of listings.
- There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (58.8%) and stricter (40.0%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Moderate policy to align with the 38% market standard in Columbus.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Columbus.
Columbus STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Columbus
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Columbus is 37 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during May (average 62 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in January (average 26 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (47 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (30 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (37 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Columbus.
- For May stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 62 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 47 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Columbus averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Columbus (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Columbus
- Essential amenities in Columbus that guests expect include: Air conditioning, Wifi, Smoke alarm, Heating, TV, Kitchen, Hot water. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Essentials, Carbon monoxide alarm, Refrigerator are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Columbus: Air conditioning, Wifi, Smoke alarm, Heating, TV, Kitchen, Hot water.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Air conditioning, Wifi, Smoke alarm, Heating, TV, Kitchen, Hot water.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Essentials or Carbon monoxide alarm to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Columbus to stay competitive.
Columbus Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Columbus
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Columbus consists of primarily domestic travelers (96%), often arriving from nearby Columbus, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 95.6% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (95.6%) and Canada (1.3%).
- Top languages spoken are English (76.3%) followed by Spanish (10.1%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from Columbus and Cincinnati.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Columbus Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creola | 11 | $6,407 | $395.56 | 56% |
| Rockbridge | 171 | $5,219 | $376.08 | 48% |
| Sugar Grove | 13 | $5,141 | $429.33 | 42% |
| Berlin Township | 11 | $5,075 | $369.51 | 44% |
| South Bloomingville | 104 | $5,049 | $287.03 | 51% |
| Logan | 592 | $4,882 | $353.20 | 47% |
| Victor | 19 | $4,783 | $435.08 | 37% |
| Swan Township | 89 | $4,488 | $313.93 | 49% |
| New Plymouth | 13 | $4,411 | $524.37 | 29% |
| Laurelville | 120 | $4,344 | $322.30 | 44% |