Wondering how much you can make on Airbnb? From real-world host stories to insider tips and data-driven strategies, this guide breaks down everything you need to know to maximize your short-term rental income.

The average U.S. Airbnb host earned $14,000 in supplemental income in 2023, with monthly revenues averaging $4,300.

Location, property type, amenities, price tier, seasonality, and local regulations affect your income estimations.

AirDNA’s Airbnb calculator helps hosts pinpoint their property’s earning potential and plan for success.

So, you’re thinking about renting out a short-term rental (STR) on Airbnb—or maybe you’ve already dipped your toes in and are wondering what your property’s true earning potential could be. The question on most beginner hosts’ minds is: how much can you make on Airbnb?

The short answer? It depends—on you as a host, your property, and your market. Don’t worry, though—we’ll break it all down for you. Whether you’re curious about the average Airbnb income or you want to know how to earn money as an Airbnb host, this guide will help you understand the possibilities and realities of running a vacation rental.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, the good news is that there’s data to help set your expectations. According to Airbnb’s internal data, the average host in the U.S. earned about $14,000 in supplemental income in 2023.

How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month?

Airbnb hosts in the U.S. earned an average monthly revenue of $4,300 between November 2023 and December 2024. You may look at this number and scratch your head, wondering how $4,300 monthly could possibly add up to the $14,000 in annual earnings that Airbnb reported for 2023. Shouldn't hosts be making closer to $50,000 with that kind of monthly revenue?

While we can explain our methodology, there's no way to know exactly what calculations and data cleaning informs Airbnb's report. AirDNA's monthly earnings number is an average of all Airbnb and Vrbo listings. The short-term rentals informing that average range in bedroom count from studios to 6+ bedrooms and annual availability from 30 days to year-round. It's possible Airbnb weighted the most common listing type in their calculation of average earnings. If the most common listing is a 2-bedroom home available 90 days per year, then it's no surprise that the booking platform came to a much different conclusion about the average Airbnb host's earnings.

While $4,300 is the average monthly revenue for all Airbnb and Vrbo listings combined, that number varies greatly depending on both the time of year and the listing size, among other variables. For example, the average revenue in January of 2024 was only $3,300, but soared to $6,000 in July. Budget tier 1-bedroom properties average $1,400 in monthly revenue, while budget-friendly 3-bedroom properties bring in $2,500 on average. 

When it comes down to it, average monthly earnings for all Airbnb listings is just that: an average. What's realistic for your short-term rental requires you to look at revenue performance for properties that most closely match your own.

With those caveats in mind, here’s a snapshot of monthly average Airbnb earnings in other regions:

These figures provide a helpful starting point for setting your Airbnb earnings expectations, though actual results will depend on your property, market, management style, and other factors.

Maximizing your Airbnb revenue isn’t as simple as listing your property and watching the bookings flood in. A variety of factors work together to determine your earning potential, including location, amenities, seasonal demand, past reviews, and availability. 

Let’s take a look at a few of the factors that will impact how much you can make on Airbnb:

Nothing impacts Airbnb earnings more than location. 

STRs in bustling urban hubs like New York or Los Angeles can command premium nightly rates thanks to high demand. But they also come with their fair share of risks and challenges, including fierce competition and complex regulations. 

Meanwhile, rural or suburban areas might offer less competition but typically require a more creative approach to attract consistent bookings. Before you begin your STR business, don’t go with your gut. Instead, research the best places to invest to make sure you acquire a property in a lucrative location.

The type of property you offer and the experience it provides significantly impact your earning potential.

Unique properties: Average $2,200 per month (think tiny homes, treehouses, yurts, etc.) 

Adding desirable amenities like hot tubs, parking, or premium furnishings can boost your income substantially. Remember to do your research when determining which amenities guests in your areas will pay a premium for!

Without hot tub: Average $3,800 per month

Without parking: Average $4,000 per month

Take these figures with a grain of salt, though—an amenity’s impact on earning potential is entirely location-specific. For example, hot tubs will command higher nightly rates in cold mountain destinations, but probably won’t move the needle in a tropical destination. Similarly, parking will probably help increase earnings for an Airbnb in an urban market more than one in a rural destination. 

Price tiers play a major role in shaping your property’s earning potential. Logically, a high-end Airbnb will command higher nightly rates than one targeting budget travelers, and therefore yield higher monthly revenue.

Your property’s availability is a key driver of your earning potential. More days on the market generally means more opportunities to generate income. Of course, even part-time listings can bring in significant revenue when strategically priced and marketed.

Properties rented up to 180 days per year: $3,100/month

Properties rented year-round: $4,800/month

Travel demand ebbs and flows throughout the year, with peak seasons offering the perfect opportunity to boost occupancy and raise nightly rates. But with opportunity comes competition—other hosts are vying for the same bookings. Staying one step ahead means keeping a close watch on local competitors and adjusting your pricing strategy to stand out while staying competitive.

Your dedication as a host matters. Whether hosting is your full-time gig or you have an Airbnb side hustle, you’ll earn more by providing excellent guest experiences, maintaining high ratings, and achieving Superhost status. 

Going above and beyond—offering concierge services or becoming an Airbnb Experiences host—can also boost your income.

Local and federal regulations can make or break your earning potential. Rules such as permits, zoning laws, and occupancy taxes often add to operating costs and directly influence how much money you can make on Airbnb.

In some markets, caps on rental nights or guest limits may restrict how often you can host, tightening the earning ceiling even further. The level of regulation varies dramatically—hosts in urban hubs like New York or San Francisco tend to face far stricter rules than those in smaller, less regulated markets.

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Connect your Airbnb listing to AirDNA to see its Booking Performance Score.

Here are some anecdotal accounts from hosts who have shared their experiences on Reddit:

A host with a 3-bedroom house near a major university reports earning approximately $3,500 per month during the academic year, with higher occupancy during graduation and homecoming events. However, they note a significant drop in bookings during summer months, highlighting the impact of seasonality on income.

Another host managing a 2-bedroom apartment in a popular tourist city center mentions earning around $4,200 monthly. They experience consistent bookings year-round but face increased competition during off-peak seasons, which sometimes requires them to lower their nightly rates to maintain occupancy.

A host with a quaint cottage located just off a major interstate shares that they earn about $2,000 per month. They attract travelers seeking one-night stays during road trips but struggle to secure longer bookings, affecting overall income stability.

Of course, it’s also important to note that while gross earnings can appear substantial, net operating income (NOI) often tells a different story due to a slew of expenses. Operating costs—like cleaning fees, maintenance, utilities, property management fees, and platform service charges—significantly reduce take-home profits.

How to Evaluate Airbnb Property Potential

Unlocking your property’s potential starts with understanding your market’s unique dynamics. The good news? You don’t need to guess. By leveraging data and analytics, you can make informed decisions about pricing, marketing, and investment strategies to maximize your take-home pay.

Evaluating a property’s earning power starts with understanding key metrics that influence revenue. Let’s break them down:

Nightly Rate: How much can you charge for a night’s stay? This depends on all the factors we discussed above, like property type, location, and amenities. For example, a luxury property with a hot tub in a high-demand market will command a higher rate than a budget apartment in a less touristy area.

Occupancy Rate: This measures how often your property is booked. High occupancy rates are great, but they need to align with a competitive nightly rate to optimize overall revenue.

Competition: The number of similar listings in your area will impact how much you can make on Airbnb. High competition might force you to lower prices, while unique offerings or a standout location can give you an edge.

AirDNA’s Airbnb calculator is like having a crystal ball for income forecasting. With data-driven insights customized to your property and market, it takes the guesswork out of planning your STR venture.

Input your property details: Add the basics—your property’s location, type, and size.

Analyze market data: The calculator taps into millions of Airbnb and Vrbo listings, compiling a list of properties close to you and creating an index based on relevance. The more similar a property, the more weight it has on the calculation.

Get customized insights: You’ll receive a detailed projection of potential monthly revenue, giving you a clear, realistic view of your earning potential based on real-world data.

Take a 2-bedroom apartment in downtown Austin, for example. The calculator might reveal an average nightly rate of $250 with a 70% occupancy rate. It even considers seasonality, helping you anticipate peak periods and quieter months so you can optimize your strategy year-round.

Pinpoint the perfect time to invest in a property.

Forecast performance to understand how a property is likely to perform over time.

Gauge property value trends, estimating how yours might appreciate or depreciate.

Accurate income forecasting is the backbone of a successful short-term rental strategy. Overestimating your potential earnings will lead to financial stress, dashed expectations, and missed opportunities to grow your business. On the flip side, underestimating can cause you to set prices too low or miss out on high-ROI upgrades that elevate your property’s appeal.

Here’s why nailing your forecasts is a key skill for any investor:

Avoid financial pitfalls and budget accurately for ongoing costs like cleaning, maintenance, and property management.

Navigate seasonality by preparing for slow months and maximizing revenue during peak travel seasons.

Make smarter investments, whether on a new property or on upgrades for an existing one.

Knowing how much a vacation rental could earn used to be a guessing game, but not anymore. Get data-backed insights into how much a property could earn as a short-term rental.

Discover how much you can make on Airbnb with insights on average earnings, real host experiences, and expert tips to maximize your short-term rental income.

Research Solutions

Features

Host

Enterprise Solutions

Investing Resources

Experienced Investors

Free Tools

Hosting Resources

Experienced Hosts

How Much Can You Really Make on Airbnb?

ARTICLE SUMMARY

QUICK NAVIGATION