Luxury Getaway! The University Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 4.92 - Revenue
- $99,273
- Occupancy
- 49.8%
- Daily rate
- $519
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to September 2026
The average Airbnb in Waukee brought in $23,011 over the 12 months through September 2026, in line with the Iowa average of $23,238.
The short answer
Listings averaged $200 a night, about 5% lower than the Iowa average of $210, and were booked on 41% of available nights, close to its 41%.
Timing matters: in July, usually the best month, the average listing earns about 2.6 times as much as in January, usually the slowest. With only 34 active listings, a few bookings can reorder the months.
With 34 active listings, Waukee is the 28th-largest of 40 Iowa markets AirROI tracks.
Browse the live Waukee Airbnb market See Every Waukee ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Waukee listing averaged $23,011 over the 12 months to September 2026 (Iowa average: $23,238), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
In a typical year, the average Waukee listing brings in $4,330 in July, its best month, and $1,650 in January, its slowest. August runs within 2% of July, so either can come out on top in a given year. The three strongest months bring in 37% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 2.9 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
July earns about 2.6 times what January does
Average revenue per active listing, by month, September 2024 to August 2026
Each point is one month as recorded, averaged over the listings active in it. The best and slowest months in the text average each calendar month over the past two years, so they can differ from the highest and lowest points here.
Latest 12 months in the September 2026 data. September's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to August.
August 2026 led on revenue and bookings; nightly rates peaked in June 2026. Across the past two years, July is usually the strongest month.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | $2,496 | 42.3% | $202 | $83 | 30 days | 4.5 nights |
| Oct 2025 | $2,650 | 44.5% | $199 | $85 | 33 days | 3.9 nights |
| Nov 2025 | $2,402 | 40.0% | $200 | $80 | 37 days | 3.1 nights |
| Dec 2025 | $2,593 | 33.0% | $199 | $84 | 37 days | 3.3 nights |
| Jan 2026 | $1,993 | 37.5% | $191 | $64 | 33 days | 6.3 nights |
| Feb 2026 | $1,792 | 34.1% | $195 | $64 | 24 days | 6.5 nights |
| Mar 2026 | $2,492 | 40.1% | $197 | $80 | 38 days | 4 nights |
| Apr 2026 | $2,395 | 36.1% | $202 | $80 | 44 days | 2.5 nights |
| May 2026 | $3,631 | 46.0% | $212 | $117 | 61 days | 3.8 nights |
| Jun 2026 | $4,567 | 60.2% | $228 | $152 | 59 days | 4.8 nights |
| Jul 2026 | $5,343 | 64.8% | $223 | $172 | 76 days | 5.6 nights |
| Aug 2026 | $5,356 | 71.0% | $227 | $173 | 66 days | 6.4 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
These are market-wide figures. To see what one particular Waukee home could earn, enter its address, bedrooms and guests in the free Airbnb calculator; it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Waukee Airbnb took in $23,011 in the 12 months to September 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about $1,270 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money. A listing in the top quarter leaves about $2,120 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the $2,170 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about $1,450 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about $1,100 a month.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any HOA or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | $20,841 | $34,470 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay9% of Waukee bookings | $2,170 | $3,590 |
| Gross bookings | $23,011 | $38,060 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 13%: 15.5% for the 79% of Waukee listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −$2,970 | −$4,920 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; $0 if you clean yourself | −$2,170 | −$3,590 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −$1,150 | −$1,900 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −$460 | −$760 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −$690 | −$1,140 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −$230 | −$230 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −$120 | −$120 |
| Management$0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | $0 | $0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | $0 | $0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | $0 | $0 |
| Total running costsAbout 24% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −$7,790 | −$12,660 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | $15,221about $1,270 a month | $25,400about $2,120 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, HOA or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Waukee's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Waukee home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb profit calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about $3,170 a month, against $1,920 for the average one.
Occupancy
Waukee listings were booked on 41% of the nights they were open over the past year, in line with the Iowa average and in line with the U.S. average. In a typical year, occupancy swings from 33% in January to 60% in July.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about three times as often as the bottom quarter.
July is usually the busiest month in Waukee, January the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, September 2024 to August 2026
The 12-month rate of 41% averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Waukee, known as ADR (average daily rate), was $200 over the past year, about the same as the Iowa average ($210) and about 38% below the U.S. average of $320. In a typical year, rates peak in June and August at about $220 and bottom out in October and November at about $185.
Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about 4.3 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
August rates run 20% above October's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Waukee it averaged $86 over the past year, from about $53 in a typical January to about $140 in a typical July.
Per open night, by tier:
July RevPAR is about 2.6 times January's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026
The 12-month RevPAR of $86 averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Seasonality
With only 34 active listings, the monthly pattern in Waukee is noisy, since a few long or pricey stays can lift a month; revenue has tended to peak in July and bottom out in January.
Average revenue by month in Waukee
Average revenue per active listing, each calendar month averaged over the past two years
| Month | Revenue per listing |
|---|---|
| January | $1,650 |
| February | $1,740 |
| March | $2,290 |
| April | $2,470 |
| May | $3,200 |
| June | $3,910 |
| July | $4,330 |
| August | $4,270 |
| September | $2,550 |
| October | $2,640 |
| November | $2,410 |
| December | $2,040 |
Guests book Waukee stays 43 days ahead on average (about six weeks). July stays are booked furthest out, about 77 days ahead, and February stays closest to arrival, about 24 days. A typical July booking is made in late April.
July stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, September 2024 to August 2026
Permits
None of the 34 active listings in Waukee display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply: some places don't ask hosts to show a number on the listing, and listing data doesn't capture every scheme.
Registration, permit, zoning and occupancy-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the city or county before buying or listing in Waukee.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks seven Waukee neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Kettlestone, Waukee Town Center and Beaverbrooke. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Kettlestone | A rapidly developing area known for its mixed-use development and family-friendly amenities. Investors can capitalize on its proximity to schools and parks, making it attractive for families renting vacation homes. | Kettlestone Park, Waukee Family YMCA, Kettlestone Plaza, Waukee High School, Parks and Trails |
| Waukee Town Center | The heart of Waukee with shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Ideal for short-term rentals due to its vibrant community atmosphere and events throughout the year. | Waukee Community Center, Various restaurants and cafes, Waukee Farmers Market, Public events and festivals |
| Beaverbrooke | A suburban neighborhood that appeals to families looking for a quiet place to stay near urban amenities. Its parks and schools make it a family-friendly destination for Airbnb guests. | Beaverbrooke Park, Elementary Schools, Community events, Nearby shopping areas |
| Waukee School District | Known for its highly-rated school system, making it appealing for families traveling for sports or educational purposes. Properties in this area can attract guests during school events or holidays. | Waukee High School sports facilities, Educational events, Community activities |
| Lakeview | A scenic area that offers recreational activities and access to nearby lakes. Great for nature-loving travelers and families seeking outdoor activities. | Lakeview Park, Hiking and biking trails, Fishing spots, Picnic areas |
| Glen Oaks | A prestigious neighborhood that offers a peaceful environment with luxury homes. Attractive for travelers seeking a quiet, upscale retreat close to Waukee. | Glen Oaks Country Club, Nearby shopping and dining, Nature trails, Parks |
| Nowhere (Outskirts) | The outskirts offer a rural escape for those looking for alternative experiences outside of the hustle of urban areas. Perfect for unique stays or farm-style experiences. | Open farmland, Rural landscapes, Local farms and markets, Peaceful retreats |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 88% of listings in Waukee, alongside 4 private-room listings (12%). Houses are the most common property type at 53%, ahead of apartments and condos (38%).
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Waukee Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 88.2% | 30 |
| Private room | 11.8% | 4 |
Listings by property type
Waukee Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| House | 52.9% | 18 |
| Apartment/Condo | 38.2% | 13 |
| Others | 5.9% | 2 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 2.9% | 1 |
Two-bedroom homes are the most common size in Waukee (30% of entire homes), and 47% have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 30 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Waukee entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes with a bedroom count | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 3.3% | 1 |
| 1 bedroom | 20.0% | 6 |
| 2 bedrooms | 30.0% | 9 |
| 3 bedrooms | 13.3% | 4 |
| 4 bedrooms | 16.7% | 5 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 16.7% | 5 |
Waukee is a group-trip market: 40% of listings sleep eight or more guests, about 2.4 times the share of the next most common size, six guests (17%). Shares are of the 30 listings with a guest capacity on file (88% of the market).
Waukee listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file
| Guest capacity | Share of listings with a capacity on file | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | 13.3% | 4 |
| 3 guests | 6.7% | 2 |
| 4 guests | 13.3% | 4 |
| 5 guests | 10.0% | 3 |
| 6 guests | 16.7% | 5 |
| 8+ guests | 40.0% | 12 |
Waukee hosts set up an average of 3.5 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. Only 26% of listings show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Washers are close to standard in Waukee: 97% of listings have one, and 97% offer free parking on site.
Share of Waukee listings with each common amenity
Guests
Waukee draws mostly domestic guests: 98% of those who left reviews live in the United States. No single city dominates: Omaha is the largest source, at about 3% of reviews. English is spoken by 85% of guests, and Spanish by 13%.
98% of Waukee guests are domestic
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Waukee guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Omaha | 3.2% |
| Cedar Rapids | 3.2% |
| Des Moines | 2.8% |
| Iowa City | 1.8% |
| Kansas City | 1.8% |
Where Waukee guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| United States | 97.9% |
| Canada | 0.3% |
| New Zealand | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | 0.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | 0.3% |
Languages spoken by Waukee guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 84.8% |
| Spanish | 12.5% |
| French | 1.8% |
| German | 0.9% |
Waukee Airbnbs average 4.92 stars, and 53% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and value for money is the lowest, at 4.92.
Check-in scores highest in Waukee; value is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.95 |
| Cleanliness | 4.94 |
| Communication | 4.96 |
| Location | 4.95 |
| Check-in | 4.98 |
| Value | 4.92 |
Booking patterns
Nearly three-quarters of Waukee listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 32% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 181 to 270 days a year, covering 32% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Waukee listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 50.0% | 17 |
| 181-270 days | 23.5% | 8 |
| 91-180 days | 26.5% | 9 |
Days a year Waukee listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 181-270 days | 32.4% | 11 |
| 91-180 days | 17.6% | 6 |
| 31-90 days | 17.6% | 6 |
| 1-30 days | 32.4% | 11 |
The average Waukee booking lasts 5.8 nights, longest in June and shortest in December. Listings took about 23 bookings each over the year. Nearly eight in ten listings that give a check-in time set it at 3 p.m., with check-out usually at 11 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Waukee
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Two-year average by calendar month.
More than six in ten listings in Waukee accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Waukee listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Flexible is the most common cancellation policy in Waukee, used by 35% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: more than six in ten listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 32% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Waukee listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
More than three-quarters of Waukee listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is $100, and some higher fees lift the average to $133. Spread over the average stay of 5.8 nights, that adds roughly $17 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 9% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Waukee, a five-bedroom home, took in $99,300 over the past year, about 4.3 times the city's average of $23,000.
Luxury Getaway! The University Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 4.92
Waukee Guest House - Close to everything in DSM Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.99
•5 bedroom 2 full bath stay in Paradise King bed• Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 4.78
The Silverbirch Escape Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.95
Family Oasis Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.98
300 on Abigail Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.96 Only 3% of Waukee listings are classed as professionally managed, though 29% of listings have a co-host. Seven in ten listings are run by Superhosts, so a strong review record is the norm here rather than an edge. Most hosts still vet their guests: only 29% of listings accept Instant Book. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 79% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the seven nearby markets in the table, all within 83 km, Urbandale (10 km away, 48 listings) earned the most per listing, about 46% more than Waukee. West Des Moines and Urbandale were the busiest, each booked on 45% of nights against 41% in Waukee.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines 9 km | 117 | $30,521 | $217 | 45% |
| Urbandale 10 km | 48 | $33,589 | $278 | 45% |
| Des Moines 20 km | 611 | $20,178 | $172 | 41% |
| Ankeny 27 km | 74 | $27,669 | $217 | 41% |
| Ames 51 km | 126 | $25,787 | $232 | 39% |
| Boone 51 km | 52 | $11,454 | $121 | 38% |
| Pella 83 km | 57 | $23,477 | $198 | 41% |
See all 40 Iowa Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in the United States with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Waukee:
FAQ
An active Waukee Airbnb grossed $23,011 on average in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 34 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in $4,360 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Waukee listings earn between $1,460 and $4,360 in a typical month, and the top tenth $6,060 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb income calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Waukee were booked on 41% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 41% for the Iowa average. July is usually the busiest month.
The average booked night in Waukee cost $200 before fees. Half of listings charge between $105 and $260, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Waukee listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and occupancy-tax rules with the city or county before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Waukee Airbnb grossed $23,011 in the 12 months to September 2026, in line with the Iowa average. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, $15,221 a year (about $1,270 a month) is left before the mortgage or rent. A home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit, and a listing at the top-quarter mark leaves about $2,120 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb calculator.
July usually pays best, averaging $4,330 per active listing over the past two years, and January usually pays least. The month-by-month table above shows how the latest 12 months played out.
Each night a Waukee listing was open to book earned $86 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made $174 or more.
Waukee stays were booked 43 days (about six weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Waukee Airbnb stay lasted 5.8 nights over the past year. A listing took 23 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Waukee Airbnbs 4.92 out of 5 on average. Guests score check-in highest and value lowest.
Kettlestone, Waukee Town Center and Beaverbrooke draw the most short-term rental interest in Waukee. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 34 active Airbnb listings in Waukee as of September 2026. The closest tracked market is West Des Moines, 9 km away.
In Waukee, more than three-quarters of listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is $100, and some higher fees lift the average to $133.
Method
Figures on this page cover 34 active Airbnb listings in Waukee from October 2025 to September 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. Money figures are in U.S. dollars. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.