Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Charleston, West Virginia, 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 $1,486 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,397 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $3,309+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $676
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 43% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 65% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 82%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 20%
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 $96 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $134 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $166+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $62
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Charleston
Peak Season (June, May, April)
- Revenue peaks at $2408.40 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 49.23%
- Daily rates average $116.40
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1798.30 per month
- Occupancy maintains 44.22%
- Daily rates hold at $110.19
Low Season (December, February, January)
- Revenue drops to $1241.07 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 33.68%
- Daily rates adjust to $104.59
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Charleston in 2025?
Yes! Charleston demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 44% and solid monthly revenue averaging $1798 and The market's 116 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Charleston | The vibrant heart of the city, filled with historic sites, restaurants, and shops. Perfect for tourists looking to explore Charleston's rich culture and history. | State Capitol, Capitol Market, Culture Center, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, Beni Kedem Shrine |
| South Hills | A charming residential area that offers local parks and a community atmosphere. It appeals to families and visitors looking for a quieter retreat close to the city. | South Hills Park, Oakwood Road Park, Holly Hills Park, Cedar Grove Park |
| East End | Known for its historic architecture and community vibe, this area attracts those interested in local arts and culture. It's great for visitors wanting an authentic Charleston experience. | Haddad Riverfront Park, East End Historic District, Charleston Area Alliance, The Charleston Light |
| North Charleston | An emerging area with a mix of industrial and creative spaces, North Charleston offers a unique experience with new dining options and entertainment venues. | North Charleston Coliseum, Riverfront Park, Charleston Area Convention Center, The Olde Village |
| Summerville | A short drive from downtown, Summerville offers a suburban feel with beautiful parks and historic homes. Ideal for families and travelers looking for more space. | Azalea Park, Summerville Museum, The Lavine Family Park, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site |
| West Side | An up-and-coming neighborhood known for its community spirit and close-knit atmosphere. It's a great location for visitors looking for a local experience. | Magic Island, West Side Historic District, Wheeling Avenue Park, Ridgewood Park |
| Kanawha City | Located near the Kanawha River, this area is perfect for those seeking outdoor activities and a more relaxed ambiance away from the busy downtown. | Kanawha City Park, Holly Grove Park, Civic Center, Kanawha River Trail |
| Shenandoah Junction | A small yet inviting area that boasts beautiful views and proximity to nature, ideal for visitors looking for peace and quiet near urban conveniences. | Shenandoah Valley, Cacapon State Park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park |
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
Cozy kanawha city home - Walk to CAMC Hospital
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Old Woodland Acres For Groups by Request
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Central Charleston Craftsman
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Fort Wychwood
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
1920's West Virginia Classic
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Cozy Family Apt In Downtown Charleston, WV
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Charleston
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles | 8 | $232,997 | 423 | 4.75/5.0 |
| C. Anthony | 4 | $131,534 | 761 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Nancy | 5 | $114,680 | 262 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Derrick And Angela | 3 | $103,639 | 787 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Jennifer | 3 | $81,991 | 328 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Michael | 8 | $72,850 | 197 | 4.17/5.0 |
| Eyoel | 4 | $72,500 | 67 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Rodger | 2 | $68,946 | 271 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Evolve | 2 | $55,049 | 78 | 4.58/5.0 |
| Sarah | 1 | $47,340 | 19 | 5.00/5.0 |
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 (75.9%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 96.6% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others segments (3.5% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 116 properties in Charleston shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 31% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 61.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (31%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.7%)
- Market concentration: 61.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 116 properties in Charleston reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 25% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 48.3% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (25% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (3.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 48.3% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 116 properties in Charleston, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (34.5% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (32.8% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (34.5%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (32.8%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 65.5%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 38.8%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
50 listings
46.7% of total
2 Nights
31 listings
29% of total
3 Nights
14 listings
13.1% of total
4-6 Nights
2 listings
1.9% of total
7-29 Nights
10 listings
9.3% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 75.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 1.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (0%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 88.8% 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
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
4 listings
3.7% of total
Non-refundable
2 listings
1.9% of total
Flexible
45 listings
42.1% of total
Moderate
18 listings
16.8% of total
Firm
15 listings
14% of total
Strict
23 listings
21.5% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 42.1% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (58.9%) and strict (35.5%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Non-refundable policies are least common at 1.9% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Flexible policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in May, Apr, Oct, averaging 50 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Aug, Jan, Feb, averaging 25 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 45 days, while Winter has the shortest at 28 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 45 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Aug-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Charleston
Every property in Charleston comes standard with Air conditioning, and Wifi. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 96.2% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: DC (1.2%) and Canada (0.6%)
- English is the top language at 81.9%, followed by Spanish (11.4%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.9%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Charleston and Pittsburgh 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creola | 11 | $6,771 | $397.51 | 58% |
| Rockbridge | 170 | $5,679 | $390.36 | 49% |
| Sugar Grove | 13 | $5,449 | $432.67 | 44% |
| South Bloomingville | 104 | $5,404 | $295.56 | 54% |
| Victor | 19 | $5,264 | $451.67 | 39% |
| Logan | 602 | $5,161 | $356.99 | 48% |
| New Plymouth | 13 | $4,929 | $525.44 | 33% |
| Laurelville | 122 | $4,814 | $330.39 | 45% |
| Swan Township | 88 | $4,687 | $311.85 | 50% |
| Radford | 28 | $4,529 | $356.81 | 45% |
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