Maximize your Airbnb profits by understanding seasonality's impact on your rental market. We explore seasonal patterns in various markets and provide strategies for leveraging peak, shoulder, and off-seasons.

Master Airbnb Seasonality for Bigger Profits Year-Round

Seasonality refers to the cyclical variation in traveler demand throughout the year.

High seasonality markets can offer lucrative peak periods but come with increased risk, while low seasonality markets provide more consistent year-round income.

Understanding seasonality helps hosts optimize pricing, attract diverse guest segments, and stay profitable across different times of the year.

If you're an Airbnb host in a beach town, ski resort, or any destination where bookings surge and ebb with the seasons, you know the impact of seasonality on your bottom line. But how well do you really understand these patterns, and are you making the most of them?

Airbnb seasonality in the short-term rental (STR) market isn’t just about identifying peak months—it's about recognizing the shifting patterns that can make or break your investment.

While some markets still heavily rely on peak seasons, others see more consistent demand throughout the year. Understanding where your property fits in this spectrum is crucial for maximizing your revenue.

At AirDNA, we've analyzed millions of listings to uncover the most and least seasonal markets in the U.S. We'll explore what makes a market "seasonal," how it affects your property's performance, and strategies to thrive no matter the season.

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.

Seasonality is the cyclical variance in traveler demand throughout the year that's unique to each vacation rental market. Think of ski towns bustling with visitors every winter, then quieting down as the snow melts. It's arguably the most defining characteristic of a short-term vacation rental market.

While some markets enjoy a steady stream of bookings year-round, others earn the lion's share of their revenue in a short window. But here's the catch: high seasonality can be a double-edged sword. Those lucrative peak seasons? They come with increased vulnerability. Relying on such a short time frame can be a gamble.

That's why understanding and leveraging your market's seasonality (or lack thereof) is crucial for maximizing profits. 

Let's explore how seasonal patterns play out across different markets.

Peak season is when demand—and revenue—hit their highest points. However, the timing of peak season varies significantly depending on the location.

In Telluride, Colorado, for example, the winter months reign supreme. Our data shows that Telluride hosts can earn upwards of $700 per night during ski season, making it a true winter wonderland for short-term rental income.

However, the national trend tells a different story. As you can guess, summer is America’s peak STR season. 

Across the U.S., July emerges as the peak season, with RevPAR (Revenue per Available Rental) reaching its highest point. This aligns with traditional summer vacation patterns when warm weather destinations see a surge in visitors.

Use Smart Rates™ to optimize your pricing strategy.

The shoulder season—the period between peak and off-peak—is becoming increasingly influential in the vacation rental market.

We're seeing evidence of expanding shoulder seasons in some markets. The Jersey Shore provides a great example. Prior to the pandemic, visitors to Jersey Shore peaked in August. The average occupancy rate for that month was 78.6% in 2019. From there, occupancy rates fell below 30% between October and December of that year. 

Since the pandemic, occupancy trends have shifted in Jersey Shore. August did not reach as high of a peak in 2023, and vacation rentals are seeing more guests in the fall shoulder reason. Occupancy during the months of October and December grew by approximately 20% while November occupancy increased by almost 50% between 2019 and 2023. 

This change provides some subtle clues that travelers are less beholden to an arbitrary vacation schedule than they used to be, in part due to remote work. The data also suggests that some travelers are purposely avoiding the busiest times of year to escape crowds and high prices. 

For property owners in areas seeing this trend, it's a chance to make more money during what used to be slower months. Keep in mind, though, that every location is different. If you’re looking to succeed in STR hosting for the long-haul in a seasonal market, it’s important to keep a close eye on trends over time. 

The off-season is typically when demand and prices are at their lowest. However, the timing of the off-season can vary dramatically depending on the location.

Take Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for example. 

The data shows that Myrtle Beach follows a pattern similar to the national trend, with peak RevPAR in July and August. However, it gets an interesting boost in March and April, likely due to Spring Break travelers. The off-season here is clearly visible from November through February, when RevPAR drops to its lowest levels.

Now, let's look at Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Here, we see a completely different pattern. The peak season is actually in February and March, when RevPAR reaches upwards of $265. Summer is the off-season in this desert destination, with June through August bringing in about $120 in RevPAR. 

Why the inverse graph? An Airbnb seasonality pattern like this is likely due to the extreme summer heat in the region. With average summer temperatures over 100 degrees fahrenheit, it’s no surprise that travelers to the area clamor for rentals during the 70-degree midwinter and early spring months.

Whether you're dealing with a traditional summer peak or a wintertime boom, adapting your Airbnb seasonality strategy to these trends can positively impact your success as a short-term rental host.

Let's face it—timing is everything in the vacation rental game. How do you know when to expect those booking bonanzas or prepare for the quiet times? AirDNA's data provides valuable insights into which U.S. markets experience the most and least seasonal fluctuations in demand.

AirDNA's Seasonality Score reflects how much seasonality affects a market's bookings throughout the year. A high score indicates strong seasonality, while a lower score suggests more consistent demand.

Here’s a closer look at American markets and how their Airbnb Seasonality Scores shape up:

The most seasonal markets have distinct high seasons related to outdoor recreation in their area. Park City, Utah and Colorado destinations Telluride and Crested Butte are all home to ski resorts that welcome an influx of visitors during the winter months. 

On the other hand, vacation markets that lean heavily on their water features for visitor appeal—Lake Norman, Lake of Ozarks, and coastal Michigan, for instance—are busy in the summertime and hard-pressed to find visitors during the winter months. 

The least seasonal markets likely benefit from a mix of business and leisure travel, as well as diverse attractions that appeal to visitors throughout the year.  Flagstaff, Arizona, has mountains, desert and ponderosa pine forests, offering outdoor adventure year-round for visitors passing through. The main attractions for the typical Las Vegas visitor are indoors and therefore unaffected by high summer temperatures. 

Unsurprisingly, destinations with relatively consistent temperatures year-round are some of the least seasonal markets. This includes Hawaiian markets like Oahu, Kauai, and Big Island as well as Sacramento, California. 

Understanding your market's Airbnb seasonality can help inform pricing strategies, maintenance scheduling, and property selection. While highly seasonal markets may offer opportunities for higher peak-season rates, markets with low seasonality scores may provide more predictable year-round income. 

Know exactly how much to charge based on your vacation rental pricing strategy.

Does Low Airbnb Seasonality Mean a Market Is Better?

No. When comparing markets in the U.S. and Europe, we see that highly seasonal markets can actually achieve high average monthly RevPAR despite having pronounced low seasons. Many of these seasonal markets are traditional resort areas where travelers book larger homes at premium prices.

Managing a vacation rental in a highly seasonal market can be quite profitable. However, success hinges on understanding how to price your property effectively during both high seasons and low seasons. It's also crucial to prepare for market conditions beyond your control. For instance, if you own a luxury home in a ski resort town, a poor snow season could significantly impact bookings for extended periods.

On the other hand, if you prefer consistent income throughout the year (even if it means a lower average RevPAR), a market with low Airbnb seasonality might be more suitable. In these markets, you're less likely to face dramatic revenue dips. However, you'll also miss out on those peak periods where demand allows for substantially higher pricing.

Take Kauai, Hawaii, for example. This island destination demonstrates remarkable stability in RevPAR throughout the year. With its steady stream of visitors across seasons, Kauai offers property owners more predictable income. This consistency stems from the island's year-round appeal to various traveler types, from summer vacationers to winter sun-seekers and even digital nomads.

Ultimately, the choice between a highly seasonal or more stable market depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and management style. Both can be profitable with the right strategy and understanding of market dynamics.

Fine-tuning your Airbnb pricing strategy to reflect seasonal fluctuations can boost your revenue and keep your property competitive. Each season presents unique challenges and opportunities, from capitalizing on peak demand during the high season to attracting guests during slower periods. Here’s how you can optimize your pricing strategy year-round, using data-driven insights and targeted approaches for each season.

During peak times, demand is at its highest and travelers are often willing to pay a premium. Utilize AirDNA's Pacing Data, accessible through your Host Tools in the AirDNA dashboard, to predict demand spikes and adjust your pricing accordingly. Pacing is a category of analytics that looks at projected performance. 

With this feature, you can look ahead to any specific date to analyze your competition’s median booked rate, see how many listings are booked, and check occupancy rates. This helps you to confidently set the right price and maximize your revenue.

Don’t forget to regularly monitor booking trends and competitor rates to stay competitive without undervaluing your property. Highly seasonal destinations often have long booking lead times, meaning that vacationers secure their accommodations well in advance. With this in mind, it’s important to set your prices well in advance.

This strategy helps to reduce turnover costs and maximize revenue by ensuring longer bookings. For instance, during holiday weekends or local events, a three-night minimum stay can prevent short, less profitable reservations from blocking your calendar.

Emphasize what sets your property apart to justify higher rates. Whether it’s a stunning view, luxurious amenities, or a prime location, make sure these features are prominently displayed in your listing. High-quality photos and detailed descriptions can help potential guests see the value and uniqueness of your property, making them more likely to book at a higher price.

AirDNA’s powerful yet easy-to-use tools make hosting and investing a breeze. This means having every insight you need, all in one place, always up-to-date.

Instead of slashing prices to rock-bottom levels during the off-peak months, conduct thorough market research. Use AirDNA's tools to analyze local demand and competitor pricing. Take a look at the average booking lead time, which can be found in Pacing Data under Host Tools in your AirDNA account. If most guests are booking their accommodations close to the date of their stay, it may be wise to resist the temptation to lower your rates. Short booking lead times suggest that guests are willing to pay high prices for last-minute reservations. 

In addition to analyzing demand and booking trends, consider offering strategic discounts for extended stays to attract longer bookings without devaluing your property. This approach appeals to guests seeking longer-term accommodations, such as remote workers or retirees. It also helps you to maintain a reasonable nightly rate and ensure a consistent income stream. 

Shift your marketing focus to attract guests who are less influenced by traditional vacation seasons. Business travelers, digital nomads, and people relocating temporarily might find your property appealing during low seasons. Tailor your amenities and listing description to highlight features that cater to these groups, such as fast Wi-Fi, a comfortable workspace, and proximity to business districts.

Make your listing stand out by providing additional amenities or experiences. Guided tours, local attraction passes, or meal packages can make your listing more attractive. Partner with local businesses to offer exclusive deals or experiences that guests can’t find elsewhere.

Identify local events, festivals, and attractions that occur during the low or shoulder season. Adjust your pricing around these events to attract more guests. Creating event-specific promotions or packages can draw in attendees and make your property the go-to choice for event attendees.

Know your market’s seasonality score: Use AirDNA to identify your location's peak, shoulder, and off-seasons. Analyze occupancy and average daily rate (ADR) patterns to build a strong pricing strategy foundation.

Set your base price wisely: Calculate your break-even point, including all fixed costs. Research comparable properties to ensure your price is competitive, and factor in unique features to justify a premium. Use this base price for seasonal adjustments.

Factor in local events: Create a calendar of local events that drive demand. Adjust pricing for event days and the surrounding period using AirDNA’s Pacing Data to anticipate booking trends.

Use Dynamic Pricing tools: Utilize AirDNA's Dynamic Pricing to adjust prices based on factors like day of the week, local events, and competitor pricing. Automate changes with custom rules.

Conduct regular reviews: Set quarterly reminders to review your pricing strategy. Analyze booking patterns, revenue, and guest feedback. Stay updated on market changes and trends.

Monitor competition: Use AirDNA's Comp Set feature to track similar listings. Analyze their pricing, amenities, and reviews. Adjust your rates to remain competitive and use competitor insights as a starting point for making targeted improvements to your property.

At AirDNA, we've developed a comprehensive approach to measuring Airbnb seasonality in the short-term rental market. Our analysis covers an extensive dataset of over 15 million properties across both Airbnb and Vrbo, spanning 80,000 regions worldwide. This breadth of data allows us to paint a detailed picture of market trends and fluctuations.

As part of our in-depth market analysis, we assign each region a Market Grade. A key component of this grade is the Seasonality Score, which provides crucial insights into a market's demand patterns throughout the year.

We examine the variance in travel demand between peak and low seasons to calculate a market's seasonality. Specifically, the Seasonality Score represents the percentage difference between the minimum and maximum monthly RevPAR (Revenue per Available Rental) over the past year. Markets with minimal fluctuation in demand throughout the year receive a higher seasonality score on a scale of 1-100, indicating more consistent booking patterns.

This measure is particularly valuable for investors and managers seeking steady revenue with reduced risk. Low-seasonality markets generally offer more consistent income, while highly seasonal markets can provide lucrative peak periods but are more vulnerable to external factors. By providing this seasonality insight, AirDNA equips industry professionals with crucial data for making informed decisions in the dynamic short-term rental market.

Plan your STR strategy based on real booking activity and trends—plus, see how things change year over year.

Is your rental booming in summer but dead in winter? Discover strategies to master Airbnb seasonality and keep guest bookings consistent.

Master Airbnb Seasonality for Bigger Profits Year-Round

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