Salem Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Virginia, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Salem in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Salem, Virginia, 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 26 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 May, while March 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 $4,430+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $2,848 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $1,802 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $928, 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, Maysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while March 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 72%+ 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 36%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 20% 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 November 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 $234+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $195 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $130 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $92 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Salem
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Salem (2025)
Peak Season (May, April, June)
- Revenue averages $3,270 per month
- Occupancy rates average 44.8%
- Daily rates average $159
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2,206 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 40.5%
- Daily rates hold near $159
Low Season (January, March, August)
- Revenue drops to average $1,520 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 28.1%
- Daily rates adjust to average $154
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 $3,541, occupancy reaching a high of 50.5%, and ADRs peaking at $169.
- 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 $1,140, occupancy could drop to 24.5%, and ADRs may adjust down to $150.
- 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 local shops, restaurants, and historic sites. Ideal for visitors looking to explore the local culture and history of the city. | Salem Museum, Winston Link Museum, Roanoke College, Historic Salem, Local restaurants and shops |
| South Salem | A residential area close to parks and nature, great for families and those seeking a tranquil stay with easy access to outdoor activities. | Sherwood Park, South Salem Park, The Roanoke River Greenway, Local hiking trails |
| North Salem | A quieter area with beautiful landscapes and larger properties, ideal for longer stays or family vacations away from the busy downtown. | Local farms, Natural scenic views, Hiking trails, Community markets |
| West Salem | A suburban area with a mix of residential homes and commercial spots, popular with visitors looking for convenience and accessibility to nearby attractions. | Local shopping centers, Community parks, Proximity to downtown Salem |
| East Salem | Offers a blend of residential comfort and access to outdoor activities; great for Airbnb hosts who want to provide a nature-centric experience. | Green Hill Park, Walking trails, Local wildlife areas |
| Salem Historic District | Rich in history and charm, this area attracts tourists interested in heritage, making it a prime spot for Airbnb rentals focused on historical experiences. | Historic homes, Cultural sites, Walking tours, Local festivals |
| Salem Fairgrounds | A vibrant spot for events and fairs, hosting various festivals throughout the year; great for short-term rentals during high-traffic events. | Annual Salem Fair, Concerts, Community events |
| Near Roanoke | Just a short drive from Roanoke, offers guests the opportunity to explore both Salem and the larger city amenities while enjoying a quieter stay. | Mill Mountain Park, Hiking paths, Cultural venues in Roanoke |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Salem (2025)
While Salem, Virginia, 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.
Guest House on Harborwood Farm
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Highlanders Haven
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Historic Downtown Salem
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Highway Hideaway
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Boutique 3-Bedroom Suite in Downtown Salem
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Garage Apt 30 min VT/15 Roanoke College
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott | 1 | $102,784 | 28 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Jason | 2 | $70,582 | 151 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Emily | 4 | $68,796 | 168 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Jay | 1 | $43,842 | 14 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Michael | 1 | $34,570 | 17 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Giulia | 1 | $32,904 | 24 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Host #245319318 | 1 | $30,882 | 5 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Emily | 1 | $28,080 | 182 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Cindi Lou | 4 | $27,971 | 147 | 3.70/5.0 |
| Jerri | 1 | $24,726 | 609 | 4.95/5.0 |
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 65.4% of the 26 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- However, a notable 34.6% share for Private Rooms suggests opportunities for budget-conscious travelers or hosts renting out spare rooms.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Salem, Hotel/Boutique properties are the most common (42.3%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 38.5% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 42.3% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
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 1 bedroom listings, making up 38.5% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 3 bedrooms properties represent 61.6% of the active Airbnb listings in Salem, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 26.9% 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 (34.6%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely small families or groups.
- Properties designed for 4 guests and 2 guests dominate the Salem STR market, accounting for 50.0% of listings.
- 19.1% 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 3.7 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 271-366 days range, representing 42.3% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 76.9% 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 (34.6%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 23.1% 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
12 listings
46.2% of total
2 Nights
6 listings
23.1% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
3.8% of total
30+ Nights
7 listings
26.9% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Salem is 1 Night, adopted by 46.2% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (69.3%) of the Salem Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- A significant segment (26.9%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Salem, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 46.2% of Salem hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 26.9% of the market seeking extended stays.
- 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)
Flexible
9 listings
42.9% of total
Moderate
4 listings
19% of total
Firm
2 listings
9.5% of total
Strict
6 listings
28.6% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Salem
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Salem is Flexible, used by 42.9% of listings.
- There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (61.9%) and stricter (38.1%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 42.9% market standard in Salem.
- 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 41 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during April (average 78 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in March (average 20 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Spring (58 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (36 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (41 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Salem.
- For April stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 78 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Spring season well in advance (at least 58 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: Essentials, Heating, Air conditioning, Hot water, Wifi, Free parking on premises, TV, Dishes and silverware. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Microwave, Coffee maker are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Salem: Essentials, Heating, Air conditioning, Hot water, Wifi, Free parking on premises, TV, Dishes and silverware.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Hot water, Wifi, Free parking on premises, TV, Dishes and silverware.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Microwave or Coffee maker 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 (96%), often arriving from nearby Greenville, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 96.4% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (96.4%) and Australia (0.7%).
- Top languages spoken are English (79.7%) followed by Spanish (8.1%).
- 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 Greenville and Richmond.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penhook | 19 | $5,435 | $545.46 | 37% |
| Victor | 19 | $4,783 | $435.08 | 37% |
| Goodview | 24 | $4,485 | $367.02 | 51% |
| Slaty Fork | 37 | $4,450 | $384.61 | 37% |
| State Road | 14 | $4,430 | $252.14 | 47% |
| Rockbridge Baths | 11 | $4,352 | $286.42 | 45% |
| Radford | 29 | $4,276 | $381.36 | 44% |
| Blacksburg | 284 | $3,990 | $475.43 | 40% |
| Leasburg | 16 | $3,895 | $277.89 | 53% |
| Semora | 48 | $3,815 | $355.46 | 41% |