Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Kiawah Island, 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 Kiawah Island? 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 Kiawah Island:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Kiawah Island?
The short-term rental market in Kiawah Island 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 $4,497 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $8,074 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $13,406+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $2,184
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Kiawah Island
The market in Kiawah Island 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 28% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 51% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 71%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 16%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Kiawah Island
Daily rates in Kiawah Island 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 $424 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $689 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $1,047+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $297
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Kiawah Island
Peak Season (July, June, May)
- Revenue peaks at $8797.85 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 45.84%
- Daily rates average $637.07
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $6345.67 per month
- Occupancy maintains 34.85%
- Daily rates hold at $559.80
Low Season (November, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $3057.65 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 21.90%
- Daily rates adjust to $488.85
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Kiawah Island in 2025?
Yes! Kiawah Island demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 35% and strong monthly revenue averaging $6346 and As a mature market with 592 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 Kiawah Island
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| The Beach Club | A prime location for beach lovers, offering direct access to pristine shores and family-friendly amenities. It's an ideal spot for relaxing vacations and water activities. | Kiawah Island Beach, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Night Heron Park, Turtle Point Golf Course |
| East Beach | This area is popular for its beautiful natural landscapes and close proximity to various outdoor activities. It's favored by nature enthusiasts and families. | East Beach, Kiawah Island Nature Center, Mingo Point |
| West Beach | Known for its beautiful residences and golf courses, West Beach is attractive for travelers looking for a peaceful retreat with easy access to local amenities. | West Beach Village, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Cougar Point Golf Course |
| Night Heron Park | An ideal family destination featuring nature trails, playgrounds, and wildlife. Great for families looking for a mix of outdoor adventures and relaxation. | Night Heron Park, Kayaking and Canoeing, Nature Trails |
| The Sanctuary | A luxurious resort area providing high-end accommodations and amenities. It's perfect for guests willing to spend more for exceptional service and relaxation. | The Sanctuary Hotel, Spa at The Sanctuary, Ocean Course |
| Bohicket Marina | Great for those looking to engage in water sports and fishing, with a charming marina atmosphere. It's good for adventure enthusiasts. | Bohicket Marina, Fishing Charters, Boat Rentals |
| Vanderhorst Plantation | A quieter residential area that offers luxury homes and a peaceful environment, ideal for visitors looking to escape the crowds. | Vanderhorst Plantation, Kiawah Island Golf Club |
| Kiawah Island Golf Resort | Famous for its world-class golf courses and activities, attracting golf enthusiasts and visitors looking for sports and leisure experiences. | Turtle Point Golf Course, Ocean Course, Osprey Point |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Kiawah Island?
We recommend checking directly with Kiawah Island'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 Kiawah Island
The Hideaway at Kiawah
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
The Birdie - Luxury Kiawah Beach House
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Oceanfront Surfsong Rd: Luxury Kiawah Estate!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Turtle Beach | 4 Bedroom Beachfront Home | Kiawah
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Brand New 5BR, Kiawah, Luxury, Private Pool!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
194 Ballybunion: Newly Built 6BR Home with Pool
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Kiawah Island
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akers Ellis | 156 | $6,292,069 | 360 | 2.01/5.0 |
| Sweetgrass | 94 | $5,624,812 | 695 | 3.74/5.0 |
| Espm | 78 | $5,314,505 | 744 | 3.84/5.0 |
| Kiawah | 75 | $2,132,695 | 138 | 1.40/5.0 |
| ITrip Charleston Beaches | 21 | $639,208 | 149 | 4.39/5.0 |
| 19507642 | 11 | $564,209 | 1 | 0.00/5.0 |
| Vacasa South Carolina | 26 | $414,074 | 629 | 4.45/5.0 |
| StayDuvet | 4 | $409,284 | 86 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Jeffrey | 1 | $356,768 | 17 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Sewee | 5 | $320,751 | 60 | 3.96/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Kiawah Island
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 (100%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 100.0% of inventory
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 592 properties in Kiawah Island shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 28.7% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 3 bedrooms and 4 bedrooms together representing 48.5% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (28.7%)
- Least common: 1 bedroom (15.2%)
- Market concentration: 48.5% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 592 properties in Kiawah Island reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 47% of all listings. The average property accommodates 6.4 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 73.6% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (47% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (1.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 6.4 guests per property
- Market concentration: 73.6% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 592 properties in Kiawah Island, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (63.7% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (41.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (63.7%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (41.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 90.2%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 10.3%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
6 listings
1.2% of total
2 Nights
70 listings
14.3% of total
3 Nights
294 listings
60% of total
4-6 Nights
38 listings
7.8% of total
7-29 Nights
11 listings
2.2% of total
30+ Nights
71 listings
14.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 15.5%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 7.8% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (14.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 75.5% 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
33 listings
7.4% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
218 listings
48.8% of total
Flexible
1 listings
0.2% of total
Moderate
42 listings
9.4% of total
Firm
94 listings
21% of total
Strict
59 listings
13.2% of total
Key Insights
- Super Strict 60 Days is the preferred policy at 48.8% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (9.6%) and strict (34.2%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Super Strict 60 Days policies
- Flexible policies are least common at 0.2% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Super Strict 60 Days policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in May, Jun, Apr, averaging 120 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Sep, Feb, Jan, averaging 74 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 112 days, while Winter has the shortest at 80 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 112 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 Kiawah Island
Every property in Kiawah Island comes standard with TV, Kitchen, Air conditioning, and Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 97.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: DC (1.4%) and Canada (0.6%)
- English is the top language at 85.7%, followed by Spanish (7.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.0%
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 Kiawah Island. 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% |
| Charleston | 1,854 | $5,123 | $344.84 | 53% |
| Whitemarsh Island | 73 | $4,363 | $256.42 | 53% |
| 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% |
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