Salem Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in South Carolina, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Salem in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Salem, South Carolina, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Salem, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 92 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Salem, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Salem Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Salem Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Salem (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Salem 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 Salem is typically July, while January often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Salem across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $5,664+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $3,628 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,215 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,172, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Salem
Salem Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Salem 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 Salem:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 68%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 53% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 35%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 21% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Salem
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Salem (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Salem involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Salem typically peaks in July and dips lowest during February. 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 $373+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $257 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $191 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $146 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Salem
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Salem (2025)
Peak Season (July, June, August)
- Revenue averages $4,342 per month
- Occupancy rates average 53.6%
- Daily rates average $247
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2,760 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 37.6%
- Daily rates hold near $236
Low Season (January, February, March)
- Revenue drops to average $1,396 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 23.3%
- Daily rates adjust to average $211
Seasonality Insights for Salem
- The Airbnb seasonality in Salem shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. 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 Salem's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $4,665, occupancy reaching a high of 61.8%, and ADRs peaking at $250.
- 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 $1,216, occupancy could drop to 20.0%, and ADRs may adjust down to $210.
- 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 Salem.
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 Salem seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Salem (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Salem? 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Salem | The heart of Salem, featuring a mix of historic charm and modern amenities. Great restaurants, shops, and easy access to events make this a prime location for travelers. | Salem State University, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, The Witch House, Derby Wharf, Salem Common |
| Salem Waterfront | A picturesque area along the water with beautiful views and a vibrant atmosphere. Ideal for tourists wanting to enjoy waterfront activities and dining. | Salem Willows Park, Winter Island Park, Salem Ferry, Maritime Historic District, Pickering Wharf, Salem Lighthouse |
| Salem Historic District | Known for its rich history and well-preserved architecture, this area attracts visitors looking to explore Salem's witch trials heritage and culture. | The House of the Seven Gables, Salem Witch Museum, Ropes Mansion, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Witch Dungeon Museum, Hamilton Hall |
| Lydia Pinkham's House | A unique historical site that has become a popular spot for those interested in the history of medicine in America, offering a different cultural experience. | The Lydia Pinkham House, Local Art Galleries, Historical Tours, Craft Beer Tasting Rooms |
| Salem Common | A great public park area in the middle of the city, perfect for families and social gatherings. Attracts visitors for its open space and local events. | Salem Common Park, Historic Bandstand, Local Food Festivals, Music in the Park Events |
| North Shore Beaches | Close proximity to the beaches, offers a chance for visitors to enjoy the sun and sand, plus various water activities. | Devereux Beach, Forest River Park, Beverly Harbor, Good Harbor Beach |
| West Salem | A quieter residential neighborhood that's appealing for families and longer-staying guests seeking comfort and facilities. | Local Parks, Family-friendly Restaurants, Quiet Green Spaces |
| Salem Art District | A thriving area known for its art galleries, studios, and creative spaces, attracting artists and art lovers. | Art Galleries, Local Craft Shops, Art Festivals, Gallery Strolls |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Salem (2025)
While Salem, South Carolina, United States currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Salem to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Salem (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Salembased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Lake Jocassee Private Cove and Cabin
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Large waterfront home in cove on Lake Jocassee!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Relaxing Salem House with Boat Slip & Mtn Views!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Cantrell Point Cottage on Keowee
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
New! Heart of Palmetto on Lake Keowee w/ Boat Dock
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
The Sunflower House at Lake Jocassee
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Salem (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Salem 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolve | 18 | $433,690 | 345 | 4.79/5.0 |
| April | 8 | $164,795 | 50 | 2.35/5.0 |
| Tyler | 2 | $129,487 | 62 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Howland | 1 | $93,711 | 23 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Anna | 1 | $92,198 | 50 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Jessica | 2 | $76,050 | 454 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Oconee Hospitality | 1 | $73,801 | 9 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Tina | 1 | $57,907 | 41 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Mary | 5 | $56,040 | 217 | 4.76/5.0 |
| Clemson Vacation Rentals | 2 | $55,899 | 24 | 4.70/5.0 |
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 Salem.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Salem STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Salem. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsSalem Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Salem
- The Salem Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 100% of the 92 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Salem, House properties are the most common (55.4%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 55.4% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- Smaller segments like unique stays, hotel/boutique (combined 5.4%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Salem Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Salem
- The dominant room capacity in Salem is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 46.7% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 2 bedrooms and 4 bedrooms properties represent 64.1% of the active Airbnb listings in Salem, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 38.0% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Salem.
Salem Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Salem
- The most common guest capacity trend in Salem vacation rentals is listings accommodating 4 guests (43.5%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely small families or groups.
- Properties designed for 4 guests and 8+ guests dominate the Salem STR market, accounting for 80.5% of listings.
- 54.4% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Salem.
- On average, properties in Salem are equipped to host 5.8 guests.
Salem Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Salem
- The most common availability pattern in Salem falls within the 181-270 days range, representing 42.4% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 81.5% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 91-180 days range is most frequent in Salem (44.6%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 19.6% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Salem Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
8 listings
8.8% of total
2 Nights
66 listings
72.5% of total
3 Nights
11 listings
12.1% of total
4-6 Nights
3 listings
3.3% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
1.1% of total
30+ Nights
2 listings
2.2% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Salem is 2 Nights, adopted by 72.5% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (81.3%) of the Salem Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- Dedicated monthly rentals (30+ nights) represent a small niche (2.2%), possibly an untapped area for hosts.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 2 Nights minimum stay, as 72.5% of Salem hosts use this setting.
- If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 8.8% currently do.
- A 2-night minimum appears standard (72.5%). Consider this for weekends or peak periods.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Salem.
Salem Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Super Strict 30 Days
4 listings
4.8% of total
Flexible
5 listings
6% of total
Moderate
22 listings
26.2% of total
Firm
20 listings
23.8% of total
Strict
33 listings
39.3% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Salem
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Salem is Strict, used by 39.3% of listings.
- A majority (63.1%) of hosts in Salem utilize Firm or Strict policies, indicating a market where hosts prioritize booking security.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Strict policy to align with the 39.3% market standard in Salem.
- With 39.3% using Strict terms, this is a viable option in Salem, particularly for high-value properties or during peak demand periods.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Salem.
Salem STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Salem
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Salem is 50 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during May (average 87 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in February (average 28 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (69 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (33 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (50 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Salem.
- For May stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 87 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 69 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Salem averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Salem (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Salem
- Essential amenities in Salem that guests expect include: Air conditioning, Smoke alarm, TV, Free parking on premises, Wifi, Hot water, Kitchen. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Dishes and silverware, Fire extinguisher, Refrigerator are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Salem: Air conditioning, Smoke alarm, TV, Free parking on premises, Wifi, Hot water, Kitchen.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: TV, Free parking on premises, Wifi, Hot water, Kitchen.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Dishes and silverware or Fire extinguisher 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 Salem to stay competitive.
Salem Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Salem
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Salem consists of primarily domestic travelers (99%), often arriving from nearby Charleston, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 98.6% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (98.6%) and United Kingdom (0.6%).
- Top languages spoken are English (78.3%) followed by Spanish (11.7%).
- 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 Charleston and Charlotte.
- 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 Salem 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Mills | 14 | $5,934 | $458.57 | 43% |
| Sevier County | 54 | $5,803 | $490.32 | 44% |
| Sevierville | 5,187 | $4,592 | $318.77 | 48% |
| Six Mile | 57 | $4,391 | $411.67 | 43% |
| West Union | 31 | $4,282 | $513.72 | 38% |
| Gatlinburg | 2,866 | $4,172 | $307.44 | 47% |
| Eatonton | 231 | $4,171 | $473.15 | 35% |
| Wears Valley | 192 | $4,135 | $299.08 | 44% |
| Bishop | 10 | $4,057 | $508.61 | 43% |
| Pigeon Forge | 2,546 | $3,982 | $295.10 | 46% |