Airbnb Occupancy Rate: Benchmarks and How to Improve — ChargeAutomation

Airbnb Occupancy Rate: Benchmarks, Calculator and Tips

Knowing your Airbnb occupancy rate is one of the most important steps to running a profitable short-term rental. AirDNA says U.S. Airbnb occupancy averaged 54.9% in the first half of 2025 and has since climbed to about 55.5%.

That is still down from the 57% average reported in 2024 as new supply keeps growing faster than demand (Source: AirDNA STR Data Lab Podcast; AirROI).

Whether you run one home or many, it helps to know how you compare with national and city benchmarks. That lets you make smarter choices on pricing, marketing and daily work.

Airbnb occupancy data changes a lot by market, season and property type. So a one-size-fits-all plan rarely works for hosts who want to grow revenue.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. Airbnb occupancy rates may reach about 55.5% as of mid-2025, according to AirDNA. But this varies a lot by city, season and property type.
  • Among the largest listing markets, Airbnb occupancy rate by city can range from about 34% in Ocean City, MD to around 65% in Honolulu, HI. Outliers like New York City reach about 70% due to Local Law 18 (Source: Mashvisor; AirDNA; AirROI).
  • To find your Airbnb occupancy rate, divide booked nights by available nights. Track it monthly with ADR and RevPAN for a fuller picture of how your home performs.
  • Properties using ChargeAutomation's upselling features usually report a 15 to 20% conversion rate on add-on offers. Some report add-on revenue growth of up to 490% year over year, which can offset slower months.
  • A better guest experience through online check-in, digital ID checks and automatic payments may lead to stronger reviews and repeat bookings. Studies suggest these are key drivers of higher Airbnb occupancy over time.

Airbnb Occupancy Rate Benchmarks by City and Season

Average Airbnb occupancy rate figures can mislead you if you only look at national numbers. Across the 25 largest U.S. listing markets, rates range from about 34% in Ocean City, MD to 65% in Honolulu, HI, according to Mashvisor.

At the top end, New York City short-term rentals average around 70% occupancy. They earn a $247 daily rate and about $26,601 in monthly revenue (Source: AirDNA; AirROI).

Part of the reason is NYC Local Law 18. It cut the number of active listings sharply and pushed occupancy higher for hosts who follow the rules.

Business-focused markets like Raleigh, Charlotte, Columbus, Indianapolis and Kansas City usually show occupancy between 52% and 62%. Their ADR sits in the $164 to $190 range, according to iGMS and AirDNA data.

Sun Belt cities like Phoenix, Tampa, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston mostly fall between 52% and 59% occupancy. These numbers show why you should research Airbnb occupancy rate by city before you set prices or judge a new market.

Seasons make average Airbnb occupancy even harder to read. AirDNA reports that U.S. Airbnb occupancy swings from about 41% in January to a peak of about 67.5% in July.

So hosts who plan only for summer may miss a lot of revenue in the shoulder months. Check your Airbnb occupancy rate trends month by month, not as one yearly average, to forecast well.

The main factors that shape your occupancy rate against city and seasonal benchmarks include:


How to Calculate and Track Your Airbnb Occupancy Rate

Finding your own Airbnb occupancy rate is simple once you know the formula. Divide the number of nights booked by the total nights available in a period, then multiply by 100.

For example, say your home was booked 18 nights out of 30 available nights in a month. Your occupancy rate would be 60%. An Airbnb occupancy rate calculator or a spreadsheet makes this easy to track over time.

Airbnb gives you basic performance data in the host dashboard. This includes occupancy, average daily rate and total earnings.

For deeper market data, tools like AirDNA, Mashvisor and iGMS offer benchmarks. They show how your home compares with similar listings in your area. They help you learn the average Airbnb occupancy rate in your neighborhood, and whether you are ahead of or behind local comps.

Track occupancy along with revenue per available night (RevPAN). Occupancy alone does not tell the full story. A high occupancy rate at a low nightly rate may earn less than moderate occupancy at a premium price.

Aim to review your occupancy data at least monthly. Compare it with the same period in past years to spot trends.

The core metrics to watch along with your Airbnb occupancy rate include:


How ChargeAutomation Helps Improve Your Airbnb Occupancy Rate

ChargeAutomation gives short-term rental hosts practical tools to help increase occupancy rate on Airbnb. It improves the guest experience, makes daily work smoother and earns extra revenue from every booking.

Online check-in includes digital ID collection, selfie biometric checks and a digital signature. It can reach up to a 93% completion rate. It makes arrival easy for guests and builds the five-star stays that lead to good reviews and repeat bookings.

Strong reviews are one of the most reliable ways to rank higher and fill more nights on Airbnb. Beyond check-in, ChargeAutomation’s AI upselling engine uses machine learning to time offers. These include early check-in, late checkout, airport pickup and local experiences, shown when guests are most likely to say yes.

Properties using the platform usually report a 15 to 20% upsell conversion rate. They have seen add-on revenue grow by up to 490% year over year. So even months with moderate occupancy can bring in much more total revenue per booking.

The guest portal and personal guidebook also cut support requests. That frees you to focus on marketing and pricing instead of answering the same questions.

Payment tools also help protect your revenue. Payment scheduling, retries for failed charges and pre-authorized security deposits with a 30-day authorization window all lower the risk of no-shows and chargebacks. These quietly wear down your real occupancy.

ChargeAutomation offers 50+ PMS integrations, covering Cloudbeds, Guesty, Hostaway, Lodgify and Hostfully. It also supports 130+ payment gateways, so it connects easily with the tools most STR hosts already use.

The key ways ChargeAutomation supports a stronger Airbnb occupancy rate plan include:


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in the U.S. for 2025?

AirDNA says the average U.S. Airbnb occupancy rate was about 54.9% in the first half of 2025 and has since climbed to around 55.5%. That is down from the 57% average reported in 2024, which AirROI links to supply growing faster than demand. Seasons matter a lot, with occupancy from about 41% in January to about 67.5% in July (Source: AirDNA).

How do I calculate my Airbnb occupancy rate as a vacation rental host?

Divide the nights your home was booked by the total nights it was available in the same period, then multiply by 100. For example, 18 booked nights out of 30 available nights equals a 60% occupancy rate. Track it over time with an Airbnb occupancy rate calculator, a spreadsheet or your Airbnb host dashboard.

How do Airbnb occupancy rates vary by city for short-term rental operators?

It varies widely. Mashvisor says rates in the 25 largest U.S. listing markets range from about 34% in Ocean City, MD to 65% in Honolulu, HI. New York City stands out at about 70%, partly because Local Law 18 cut active listings (Source: AirDNA; AirROI). Business hubs like Raleigh and Charlotte usually see 52% to 62%, according to iGMS and AirDNA data.

How can a property manager find out Airbnb occupancy rates for their market?

Your Airbnb host dashboard gives basic data for your own listings. Tools like AirDNA, Mashvisor and iGMS offer market-level Airbnb occupancy data. Their benchmarks let you compare your home with similar listings by location, property type and season. Check these tools monthly to see how to increase occupancy rate on Airbnb in your area.

How can ChargeAutomation help increase my Airbnb occupancy rate?

ChargeAutomation improves the guest experience with online check-in, biometric ID checks and a personal guest portal, which can lead to better reviews and repeat bookings. Its AI upselling engine usually converts 15 to 20% of offers, so even slower periods stay profitable. Payment scheduling and deposits with a 30-day authorization window also cut no-shows and chargebacks that quietly wear down real occupancy. Start for free at chargeautomation.com