AirROI ranking · 20265 markets ranked
Best Places to Buy an Airbnb in Rarotonga, Cook Islands (2026)
Ngatangiia is the best place to buy an Airbnb in Rarotonga in 2026, according to AirROI's ranking of 5 markets. Its listings averaged NZ$78,400 in revenue over the 12 months to October 2026 and were booked on 58% of nights. It also earns the most per listing of any ranked market. Takitumu and Avarua come next.
- Markets tracked
- 5
- Active Airbnb listings
- 488
- Avg. revenue per listing
- NZ$66,600
- Occupancy rate
- 57%
- Avg. nightly rate
- NZ$385
- Revenue change, typical market
- +8%
The short answer
Rarotonga Airbnb Market at a Glance
Across Rarotonga, the 488 active Airbnb listings tracked by AirROI, a short-term-rental data firm, averaged NZ$66,600 over the same period. They were booked on 57% of nights at about NZ$385 a night; the ranking covers the 5 markets with at least 30 active listings.
The ranking weighs revenue per listing most, then occupancy and market size, then how evenly income spreads across the year and how it changed on the year. It reflects rental performance, not purchase prices or local short-term rental rules. How the ranking works.
Where the top 5 Airbnb markets in Rarotonga are
Each dot is one of the 5 markets AirROI tracks in Rarotonga, sized by active listings and coloured by average revenue per listing. Select a number to jump to its profile.
Money figures on this page are in New Zealand dollars, converted from US dollars at NZ$1.72 per US$, the typical rate from November 2025 to October 2026.
Top 5
The Top 5 Airbnb Markets in Rarotonga
Each profile draws on the market's full AirROI report: how it earns, when in the year, who books and what sells. Monthly figures are averages per listing active in that month, so twelve of them add up to more than the annual average, which also counts listings that operated for only part of the year.
| # | Market | Avg. revenue | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ngatangiia High earnings · Large market | NZ$78,400 | 58% | |
 Takitumu High occupancy · Year-round demand | NZ$73,900 | 59% | |
 Avarua Growing revenue · Large market | NZ$55,400 | 58% | |
| 4 |  Arorangi | NZ$60,600 | 55% |
| 5 |  Matavera Year-round demand · Growing revenue | NZ$56,300 | 52% |
1. Ngatangiia
Known for: High earnings · Large market
Top-earning Airbnb listings in Ngatangiia - Avg. revenue
- NZ$78,400 +4% vs. last year
- Occupancy
- 58%
- Nightly rate
- NZ$440
- Active listings
- 124
Where it places among the 5 ranked markets in Rarotonga
- Revenue 1st of 5
- Occupancy 3rd of 5
- Market size 1st of 5
- Year-round 3rd of 5
- Growth 5th of 5
- How it earns
- Ngatangiia is Rarotonga's largest Airbnb market, with 124 active listings to price against. Listings averaged NZ$78,400 in revenue over the year, the highest of the 5 ranked markets. A typical listing takes in about NZ$5,940 a month; the top quarter clear NZ$10,600 or more.
- When it earns
- Ngatangiia's season runs from May to October, peaking in August at about NZ$10,900 per listing; February, the quietest month, brings in about NZ$5,800.
- What sells
- The most common entire home has 1 bedroom (35% of entire homes), and houses make up 73% of supply.
Revenue per listing by month
NZ$10,900 NZ$5,800- Median listing
- NZ$5,940/mo
- Top 25% of listings
- NZ$10,600+/mo
- Booked ahead
- 131 days
- Average stay
- 7 nights
- Most common home size
- 1 bedroom
- Superhosts
- 49%
2. Takitumu
Known for: High occupancy · Year-round demand
Top-earning Airbnb listings in Takitumu - Avg. revenue
- NZ$73,900 +7% vs. last year
- Occupancy
- 59%
- Nightly rate
- NZ$385
- Active listings
- 112
Where it places among the 5 ranked markets in Rarotonga
- Revenue 2nd of 5
- Occupancy 1st of 5
- Market size 3rd of 5
- Year-round 1st of 5
- Growth 4th of 5
- How it earns
- Takitumu is Rarotonga's third-largest Airbnb market, with 112 active listings to price against. Average revenue per listing came to NZ$73,900, the second-highest of the 5 ranked markets. In a typical month the median listing brings in about NZ$6,310, and the best quarter clear NZ$10,400. Revenue per listing rose 7% over the year, helped by nightly rates 6% higher.
- When it earns
- Revenue in Takitumu concentrates from May to October: August earns about NZ$9,610 per listing, about 1.7 times as much as February.
- Guest expectations
- Average ratings (4.82 stars) trail the typical market in Rarotonga (4.88), which leaves room for a well-run listing to stand out.
- What sells
- Two-bedroom homes lead the market (33% of entire homes), and houses make up 86% of supply.
Revenue per listing by month
NZ$9,610 NZ$5,570- Median listing
- NZ$6,310/mo
- Top 25% of listings
- NZ$10,400+/mo
- Booked ahead
- 120 days
- Average stay
- 7 nights
- Most common home size
- 2 bedrooms
- Superhosts
- 51%
3. Avarua
Known for: Growing revenue · Large market
Top-earning Airbnb listings in Avarua - Avg. revenue
- NZ$55,400 +13% vs. last year
- Occupancy
- 58%
- Nightly rate
- NZ$320
- Active listings
- 119
Where it places among the 5 ranked markets in Rarotonga
- Revenue 5th of 5
- Occupancy 2nd of 5
- Market size 2nd of 5
- Year-round 5th of 5
- Growth 1st of 5
- How it earns
- Avarua is Rarotonga's second-largest Airbnb market, with 119 active listings to price against. Listings averaged NZ$55,400 in revenue over the year, the fifth-highest of the 5 ranked markets. Its place at #3 rests on revenue growth (1st of 5) and market size (2nd of 5) rather than on revenue per listing. Month to month, the median listing earns about NZ$4,930 and a top-quarter listing NZ$8,140 or more. Revenue per listing rose 13% over the year, the biggest gain in Rarotonga, helped by nightly rates 8% higher, even as the number of listings grew 16%.
- When it earns
- In Avarua, the months from June to October earn above the yearly average, led by July at about NZ$7,720 per listing; February is the low point at about NZ$3,580. Guests book later than in most of Rarotonga, about 90 days ahead against roughly 120 for the typical market in Rarotonga; stays average 7 nights.
- What sells
- The most common entire home has 2 bedrooms (31% of entire homes), and houses make up 83% of supply.
- Who it suits
- It suits buyers who are comfortable adjusting prices close to the date.
Revenue per listing by month
NZ$7,720 NZ$3,580- Median listing
- NZ$4,930/mo
- Top 25% of listings
- NZ$8,140+/mo
- Booked ahead
- 90 days
- Average stay
- 7 nights
- Most common home size
- 2 bedrooms
- Superhosts
- 61%
4. Arorangi
Top-earning Airbnb listings in Arorangi - Avg. revenue
- NZ$60,600 +8% vs. last year
- Occupancy
- 55%
- Nightly rate
- NZ$410
- Active listings
- 98
Where it places among the 5 ranked markets in Rarotonga
- Revenue 3rd of 5
- Occupancy 4th of 5
- Market size 4th of 5
- Year-round 4th of 5
- Growth 3rd of 5
- How it earns
- Arorangi is Rarotonga's fourth-largest Airbnb market, with 98 active listings to price against. Average revenue per listing came to NZ$60,600, the third-highest of the 5 ranked markets. A typical listing takes in about NZ$5,800 a month; the top quarter clear NZ$9,320 or more. Revenue per listing rose 8% over the year, the third-biggest gain in Rarotonga, helped by nightly rates 4% higher.
- When it earns
- Arorangi's season runs from June to October, peaking in July at about NZ$9,540 per listing; February, the quietest month, brings in about NZ$4,500.
- What sells
- One-bedroom homes lead the market (30% of entire homes), and houses make up 71% of supply.
Revenue per listing by month
NZ$9,540 NZ$4,500- Median listing
- NZ$5,800/mo
- Top 25% of listings
- NZ$9,320+/mo
- Booked ahead
- 126 days
- Average stay
- 7 nights
- Most common home size
- 1 bedroom
- Superhosts
- 52%
5. Matavera
Known for: Year-round demand · Growing revenue
Top-earning Airbnb listings in Matavera - Avg. revenue
- NZ$56,300 +10% vs. last year
- Occupancy
- 52%
- Nightly rate
- NZ$335
- Active listings
- 35
Where it places among the 5 ranked markets in Rarotonga
- Revenue 4th of 5
- Occupancy 5th of 5
- Market size 5th of 5
- Year-round 1st of 5
- Growth 2nd of 5
- How it earns
- Matavera is Rarotonga's fifth-largest Airbnb market, with 35 active listings to price against. Listings averaged NZ$56,300 in revenue over the year, the fourth-highest of the 5 ranked markets. Its place at #5 rests on year-round demand (1st of 5) and revenue growth (2nd of 5) rather than on revenue per listing. The gap between listings is wide: a typical one takes in about NZ$5,140 a month, while the top quarter clear NZ$10,200 and the top 10% NZ$14,500, so pricing and presentation count for more here than in most of Rarotonga. Revenue per listing rose 10% over the year, the second-biggest gain in Rarotonga, helped by nightly rates 16% higher. With 35 listings it is a small market, so its averages can move more from year to year.
- When it earns
- Revenue in Matavera concentrates from May to October: July earns about NZ$8,240 per listing, about 1.7 times as much as February.
- Guest expectations
- Average ratings (4.82 stars) trail the typical market in Rarotonga (4.88), which leaves room for a well-run listing to stand out.
- What sells
- The most common entire home has 2 bedrooms (31% of entire homes), and houses make up 74% of supply.
Revenue per listing by month
NZ$8,240 NZ$4,760- Median listing
- NZ$5,140/mo
- Top 25% of listings
- NZ$10,200+/mo
- Booked ahead
- 108 days
- Average stay
- 7 nights
- Most common home size
- 2 bedrooms
- Superhosts
- 60%
Full ranking
How All 5 Ranked Markets in Rarotonga Compare
The overall ranking with the five measures behind it. "Slow month" is a market's weakest month of revenue as a share of its best, so a higher figure means steadier income. Select a column heading to re-sort.
| Ngatangiia High earnings, large market | NZ$78,433 | 58% | NZ$442 | 53% | +4% | 124 | |
| Takitumu High occupancy, year-round demand | NZ$73,930 | 59% | NZ$384 | 58% | +7% | 112 | |
| Avarua Growing revenue, large market | NZ$55,412 | 58% | NZ$318 | 46% | +13% | 119 | |
| 4 | Arorangi | NZ$60,631 | 55% | NZ$408 | 47% | +8% | 98 |
| 5 | Matavera Year-round demand, growing revenue | NZ$56,292 | 52% | NZ$333 | 58% | +10% | 35 |
By measure
Rarotonga Airbnb Markets Ranked by Revenue, Nightly Rate and Occupancy
The overall ranking balances five measures. These lists take one at a time, for buyers who care most about income, pricing power, bookings, a steady calendar, momentum or market size.
Highest-earning Airbnb markets in Rarotonga
Average annual revenue per active listing over the past 12 months. Markets with at least 60 listings.
| # | Market | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Ngatangiia #1 overall | NZ$78,400 | |
| Takitumu #2 overall | NZ$73,900 | |
| Arorangi #4 overall | NZ$60,600 | |
| 4 | Avarua #3 overall | NZ$55,400 |
Most expensive Airbnb markets in Rarotonga by nightly rate
Average rate per booked night. A high rate earns most where occupancy holds up too. Markets with at least 60 listings.
| # | Market | Nightly |
|---|---|---|
| Ngatangiia #1 overall | NZ$440 | |
| Arorangi #4 overall | NZ$410 | |
| Takitumu #2 overall | NZ$385 | |
| 4 | Avarua #3 overall | NZ$320 |
Highest-occupancy Airbnb markets in Rarotonga
Share of available nights booked over the past 12 months. Markets with at least 60 listings.
| # | Market | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| Takitumu #2 overall | 59% | |
| Avarua #3 overall | 58% | |
| Ngatangiia #1 overall | 58% | |
| 4 | Arorangi #4 overall | 55% |
Most year-round Airbnb markets in Rarotonga
Revenue in the slowest month as a share of the best month, so a higher figure means steadier income. Markets with at least 60 listings.
| # | Market | Slow month |
|---|---|---|
| Takitumu #2 overall | 58% | |
| Ngatangiia #1 overall | 53% | |
| Arorangi #4 overall | 47% | |
| 4 | Avarua #3 overall | 46% |
Fastest-growing Airbnb markets in Rarotonga
Change in revenue per listing from the year before, among markets where it rose. Markets with at least 60 listings.
| # | Market | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Avarua #3 overall | +13% | |
| Arorangi #4 overall | +8% | |
| Takitumu #2 overall | +7% | |
| 4 | Ngatangiia #1 overall | +4% |
Largest Airbnb markets in Rarotonga
Active listings. Bigger markets have more comparable rentals to price against and more buyers at resale.
| # | Market | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Ngatangiia #1 overall | 124 | |
| Avarua #3 overall | 119 | |
| Takitumu #2 overall | 112 | |
| 4 | Arorangi #4 overall | 98 |
| 5 | Matavera #5 overall | 35 |
Seasonality
When Airbnbs in Rarotonga Earn the Most
July is the best month for about six in ten ranked markets in Rarotonga. February is the most common slowest month, in 5 markets.
July earns about twice what February does
Average revenue per listing across the 5 ranked markets in Rarotonga, by month
| Month | Avg. revenue per listing | Best month for | Highest-ranked examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | NZ$5,920 | – | – |
| February | NZ$4,870 | – | – |
| March | NZ$5,590 | – | – |
| April | NZ$6,560 | – | – |
| May | NZ$7,050 | – | – |
| June | NZ$7,780 | – | – |
| July | NZ$9,340 | 3 markets | Avarua, Arorangi, Matavera |
| August | NZ$9,270 | 2 markets | Ngatangiia, Takitumu |
| September | NZ$8,930 | – | – |
| October | NZ$7,510 | – | – |
| November | NZ$6,030 | – | – |
| December | NZ$5,720 | – | – |
Average revenue is per listing across the ranked markets, the line in the chart above. "Best month for" counts the ranked markets whose own revenue peaks in that month.
Method
How the Ranking Works
The ranking covers the 5 markets in Rarotonga with at least 30 active Airbnb listings and data through October 2026. Each market is compared with the others on five measures, and markets are ordered by a weighted blend of where they place on each:
- Revenue per listing (35%): average revenue an active listing earned over the past 12 months.
- Occupancy (20%): share of available nights that were booked.
- Market size (20%): active listings. Bigger markets offer more comparable rentals to price against and more buyers when you sell.
- Year-round demand (15%): revenue in the slowest month as a share of the best month. The latest month is left out when its bookings look incomplete.
- Growth (10%): change in revenue per listing from the year before. Markets whose boundaries changed between years are scored in the middle.
The score measures how rentals perform. It does not include purchase prices, financing, operating costs or local short-term rental rules, which vary by address and should be checked before buying. Figures are in New Zealand dollars and match each market's own report; see the data methodology for how listings are tracked.
To check one property before buying, run its address and size through the Airbnb income calculator for a revenue, occupancy and nightly-rate range from comparable listings.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb Investing in Rarotonga
What is the best place to buy an Airbnb in Rarotonga?
Ngatangiia ranks first of the 5 markets in Rarotonga in AirROI's ranking, with NZ$78,400 in average revenue per listing and 58% occupancy. Takitumu and Avarua follow. The ranking weighs revenue, occupancy, market size, seasonality and growth; it leaves out purchase prices.
What are the most profitable Airbnb locations in Rarotonga?
By revenue per listing, among markets with at least 60 listings, Ngatangiia leads at NZ$78,400 a year, ahead of Takitumu at NZ$73,900. Profit also depends on what a property costs to buy and run, which varies far more between markets than revenue does.
How much does an Airbnb make in Rarotonga?
The average active listing in Rarotonga earned NZ$66,600 over the 12 months to October 2026, at 57% occupancy. Averages include listings that operated for only part of the year, so a listing rented all year typically earns more.
Where is Airbnb demand highest in Rarotonga?
Among ranked markets with at least 60 listings, Takitumu has the highest occupancy, with 59% of available nights booked, followed by Avarua at 58%. Its listings average about NZ$385 a night and NZ$73,900 a year.
Where are Airbnb nightly rates highest in Rarotonga?
Among ranked markets with at least 60 listings, Ngatangiia has the highest average nightly rate, about NZ$440, followed by Arorangi at NZ$410. Avarua is the least expensive, at about NZ$320. The average booked night in Rarotonga costs about NZ$385.
What is the best month for Airbnb in Rarotonga?
July is the highest-earning month for 3 of the 5 ranked markets, followed by August (2). February is the most common slowest month, in all 5 markets. Each market's report shows its own month-by-month revenue, occupancy and rates.
Which Airbnb markets in Rarotonga earn the most evenly through the year?
Among ranked markets with at least 60 listings, Takitumu has the steadiest income: its slowest month, February, still earns about 58% of its best. Ngatangiia follows, at 53%. Steadier markets are easier to budget for, though they do not always earn the most per listing.
Which Airbnb markets are growing fastest in Rarotonga?
Among ranked markets with at least 60 listings, revenue per listing grew most in Avarua, up 13% on the year before, and in Arorangi, up 8%. A single strong year can reflect events or new supply, so it is worth checking a market's monthly trend before relying on it.
Is Airbnb still profitable in Rarotonga in 2026?
Revenue per listing grew in all 5 ranked markets with a comparable year of data; in the typical market it rose 8%. Whether a given property profits depends on its purchase price, financing and running costs.
How many Airbnb listings are there in Rarotonga?
AirROI tracked 488 active Airbnb listings in Rarotonga over the 12 months to October 2026, across 5 markets. The largest ranked market is Ngatangiia, with 124 listings, followed by Avarua with 119.
Directory
All 5 Airbnb Markets in Rarotonga
Every Rarotonga city with an AirROI Airbnb market report, A–Z, with its active listing count.