Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Charleston? 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 Charleston:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Charleston?
The short-term rental market in Charleston 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 $4,948 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $8,326 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $12,953+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $2,650
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Charleston
The market in Charleston 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 59% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 77% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 88%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 37%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Charleston
Daily rates in Charleston 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 $244 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $397 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $641+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $142
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Charleston
Peak Season (June, May, March)
- Revenue peaks at $7739.95 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 63.55%
- Daily rates average $360.30
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $6467.51 per month
- Occupancy maintains 55.79%
- Daily rates hold at $327.34
Low Season (December, February, January)
- Revenue drops to $4121.78 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 37.88%
- Daily rates adjust to $290.15
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Charleston in 2025?
Yes! Charleston demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 56% and strong monthly revenue averaging $6468 and As a mature market with 1854 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 Charleston
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Downtown | The heart of Charleston, featuring cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and vibrant culture. Ideal for tourists wanting to explore history and local cuisine. | The Battery, Rainbow Row, Charleston City Market, Waterfront Park, Historic King Street |
| West Ashley | A suburban area that offers convenience and proximity to downtown, with many parks and family-friendly neighborhoods. Attracts families and long-term rentals. | Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Folly Beach, Charleston Tea Garden, Ashley River Road, The Shops at Saint Andrews |
| Mount Pleasant | A bustling suburb with beautiful views of the Charleston Harbor, ideal for families and vacationers looking for a quieter stay with access to nature. | Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Shem Creek, Isle of Palms Beach, Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park, Palmetto Islands County Park |
| Folly Beach | A laid-back beach town perfect for vacationers wanting sun and surf. Popular among beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts. | Folly Beach County Park, Morris Island Lighthouse, Folly Beach Fishing Pier, Local seafood restaurants, Surfing and paddleboarding |
| James Island | A friendly residential neighborhood providing a balance between beach access and city life. Ideal for families and those wanting a local experience. | James Island County Park, Folly Beach nearby, Historic sites, Local eateries, Outdoors recreation opportunities |
| North Charleston | A growing area with industrial and commercial developments, offering unique attractions and affordable accommodations. Attracts business travelers and families. | North Charleston Coliseum, Riverfront Park, Historic College Park, Charleston Area Convention Center, Shopping and dining options |
| Summerville | Known as the Flowertown in the Pines, this suburb is famous for its gardens and park spaces, perfect for families and nature lovers. | Azalea Park, Summerville Museum, Historic downtown Summerville, Nearby plantations, Annual Azalea Festival |
| Daniel Island | A modern, planned community that provides a variety of outdoor activities and a tranquil lifestyle, attracting families and professionals alike. | Daniel Island Park, Credit One Stadium, Brittlebank Park, Golf courses, Marina and waterfront activities |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Charleston?
We recommend checking directly with Charleston'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 Charleston
THE INNS - 10 BR Downtown Home - Amazing Location!
Entire Place • 10 bedrooms
Historic Downtown Home, Outdoor Space Galore.
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Cannonborough Court
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Thomas Waring House | Historic Elegance
Entire Place • 11 bedrooms
Large Groups - Downtown Charleston - 13BR/13BA
Entire Place • 13 bedrooms
The Juliette-Entire Luxury Residence
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Charleston
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StayDuvet | 217 | $21,081,057 | 20410 | 4.60/5.0 |
| YourPad | 74 | $8,545,219 | 5915 | 4.54/5.0 |
| Yourpad | 53 | $6,098,506 | 5847 | 4.85/5.0 |
| The Inns | 24 | $4,513,370 | 3067 | 4.86/5.0 |
| Town & Island Co. | 24 | $4,435,114 | 2616 | 4.65/5.0 |
| Guesthouse | 38 | $4,081,789 | 1449 | 4.73/5.0 |
| Curated Vacation Properties | 47 | $3,810,584 | 2908 | 4.29/5.0 |
| The Boroughs | 33 | $3,538,504 | 2828 | 4.36/5.0 |
| Charleston | 22 | $2,313,139 | 1649 | 4.21/5.0 |
| CHC Vacation Rentals | 53 | $1,783,371 | 6232 | 4.77/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Charleston
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 (89.2%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 84.2% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (4.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,854 properties in Charleston shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 30% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 54.9% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (30%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (9%)
- Market concentration: 54.9% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 1,854 properties in Charleston reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 26% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.9 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 4 guests make up 49.9% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (26% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.9 guests per property
- Market concentration: 49.9% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 1,854 properties in Charleston, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (35.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (34.5% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (35.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (34.5%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 47.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 53.6%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
343 listings
20.3% of total
2 Nights
698 listings
41.3% of total
3 Nights
142 listings
8.4% of total
4-6 Nights
16 listings
0.9% of total
7-29 Nights
82 listings
4.9% of total
30+ Nights
408 listings
24.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 61.6%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (24.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 70.0% 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
59 listings
3.7% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
88 listings
5.5% of total
Refundable
1 listings
0.1% of total
Flexible
108 listings
6.7% of total
Moderate
295 listings
18.3% of total
Firm
580 listings
36% of total
Strict
478 listings
29.7% of total
Key Insights
- Firm is the preferred policy at 36.0% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 65.7% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Firm policies
- Refundable policies are least common at 0.1% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 65.7% 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 May, Apr, Jun, averaging 79 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Sep, Aug, Jan, averaging 48 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 75 days, while Winter has the shortest at 49 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 75 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Sep-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Charleston
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Charleston:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 95% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: DC (1.1%) and Canada (1%)
- English is the top language at 82.2%, followed by Spanish (10.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.6%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Charlotte and New York markets
- Develop localized content for DC and Canada
- 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 Charleston. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folly Beach | 890 | $6,935 | $512.49 | 48% |
| Sullivan's Island | 25 | $6,312 | $784.12 | 42% |
| Isle of Palms | 906 | $6,251 | $667.10 | 41% |
| Talahi Island | 47 | $6,149 | $324.47 | 50% |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 405 | $6,012 | $600.66 | 40% |
| Mount Pleasant | 440 | $4,268 | $273.28 | 55% |
| Tybee Island | 1,286 | $4,121 | $387.59 | 41% |
| Fripp Island | 126 | $3,990 | $419.99 | 38% |
| Edisto Island | 24 | $3,934 | $321.74 | 44% |
| Kiawah Island | 592 | $3,930 | $563.90 | 35% |
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