Kingston Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Otago, New Zealand

Source: AirROI
Last updated: 2025-05-01

Is Airbnb profitable in Kingston in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Kingston, Otago, New Zealand to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Kingston, based on AirROI data from May 2024 to April 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 17 active listings.

Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Kingston, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Kingston Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.

Key Kingston Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview

Avg. Daily Rate (ADR)(?)
$160
The average rental revenue earned for an occupied room per day in Kingston.
Occupancy Rate(?)
47.5%
Moderate demand with booking opportunities.
Median Annual Revenue(?)
$18,984
Typical annual income for an Airbnb listing in Kingston. Factors like property type, size, and location influence actual earnings.
Revenue Growth YoY(?)
-28.5%
Significant decrease (-28.5%) vs. last year.
Peak Revenue Month(?)
December
The month with the highest average earnings, indicating peak season in Kingston.
Lowest Revenue Month(?)
May
The month with the lowest average earnings, indicating the low season in Kingston.
STR Regulation Level(?)
Low
Fewer regulations, offering more operational flexibility.
Active Airbnb Listings(?)
17
Total number of active short-term rentals listed.

Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Kingston (2025)

Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Kingston is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Kingston is typically December, while May often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Kingston across different performance tiers:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $4,016+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $2,767 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
  • Typical properties (Median) generate around $1,704 per month, representing the average market performance.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,044, often with potential for optimization.

Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Kingston

Kingston Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)

Maximize your bookings by understanding the Kingston STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Decembersees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while May experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Kingston:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 76%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 62% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
  • Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 44%.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 30% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.

Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Kingston

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Kingston (2025)

Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Kingston involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Kingston typically peaks in December and dips lowest during May. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $236+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $196 or more.
  • Typical properties (Median) charge around $139 per night.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $101 per night.

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Kingston

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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Kingston (2025)

Peak Season (December, January, February)
  • Revenue averages $3,356 per month
  • Occupancy rates average 67.1%
  • Daily rates average $169
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $2,045 per month
  • Occupancy maintains around 47.7%
  • Daily rates hold near $149
Low Season (May, June, October)
  • Revenue drops to average $840 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to average 23.1%
  • Daily rates adjust to average $143

Seasonality Insights for Kingston

  • The Airbnb seasonality in Kingston shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
  • During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Kingston's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $3,894, occupancy reaching a high of 72.5%, and ADRs peaking at $172.
  • Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $362, occupancy could drop to 12.4%, and ADRs may adjust down to $141.
  • Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Kingston.

Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit

  • Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
  • Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
  • Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
  • Regularly analyze your own performance against these Kingston seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.

Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Kingston (2025)

Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Kingston? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.

Neighborhood / AreaWhy Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal)Key Attractions & Landmarks
Central Kingston
The heart of Kingston, offering close proximity to shops, cafes, and the lakefront. Ideal for travelers seeking convenience and local amenities.
Kingston Beach, Lake Wakatipu, The Kingston Flyer, Queenstown-Dart River Track, Wakatipu Trail, Kingston Golf Club
Kingston Foreshore
A picturesque area along the lake, perfect for families and couples looking for a peaceful getaway with stunning views and outdoor activities.
Foreshore Park, Water activities, Picnic Areas, Fishing Spots, Scenic walks along the lake
Rees Valley
A bit further out, this area is ideal for nature lovers and those seeking adventure. Close to great hiking trails and scenic landscapes.
Rees Valley Track, Mountain biking, Scenic views, Wildlife spotting, Outdoor adventures
Moke Lake
A stunning, secluded spot known for its natural beauty. Perfect for visitors wanting a more remote and tranquil experience.
Moke Lake scenery, Kayaking, Hiking, Camping, Nature photography
Six Foot Track
Popular with hikers and nature enthusiasts, this area offers great access to trails with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Six Foot Track, Walking trails, Scenic lookout points, Picnic areas, Nature trekking
Mount Creighton
A popular location for outdoor enthusiasts. Offers stunning views and access to a variety of recreational activities.
Hiking trails, Scenic views, Picnic spots, Closer proximity to Queenstown, Nature exploration
Doubtful Sound
A remarkable location for those looking to explore New Zealand’s untouched wilderness and experience the beauty of fjords.
Doubtful Sound cruises, Kayaking, Fishing, Nature tours, Scenic vistas
Glenorchy
A gateway to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in New Zealand, ideal for visitors wanting adventure and stunning photography opportunities.
Glenorchy Lagoon, Routeburn Track, Lord of the Rings filming locations, Scenic drives, Horse riding

Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Kingston (2025)

While Kingston, Otago, New Zealand currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Kingston to ensure full compliance before hosting.

(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Kingston (2025)

Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Kingstonbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.

Modern Lakefront Holiday Home

Modern Lakefront Holiday Home

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$45,221
Revenue
34.4%
Occupancy
$355.28
Daily Rate
The humble lakehouse

The humble lakehouse

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$36,876
Revenue
71.7%
Occupancy
$156.73
Daily Rate
Stylish Alpine house

Stylish Alpine house

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$33,664
Revenue
43.6%
Occupancy
$270.07
Daily Rate
Kingston entire house, stunning views

Kingston entire house, stunning views

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$23,328
Revenue
56.9%
Occupancy
$185.12
Daily Rate
Kingston Villa with lake and mountain views.

Kingston Villa with lake and mountain views.

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$20,651
Revenue
49.5%
Occupancy
$114.23
Daily Rate
Lakeview on Hampshire

Lakeview on Hampshire

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$20,574
Revenue
48.3%
Occupancy
$173.84
Daily Rate

Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.

Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Kingston (2025)

Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Kingston based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
Anneke1$45,221584.97/5.0
Jennie1$36,876265.00/5.0
Jane Anne2$33,7042934.92/5.0
Swetha1$33,66464.83/5.0
Hanna1$23,328764.91/5.0
Ian1$20,6511354.87/5.0
Clinton & Gemma1$20,57435.00/5.0
Philip1$19,4091204.90/5.0
Dan1$18,9361264.94/5.0
Tracee1$17,788494.86/5.0

Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Kingston.

Dive Deeper: Advanced Kingston STR Market Data (2025)

Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Kingston. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.

Explore Advanced Metrics

Kingston Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Market Composition Insights for Kingston

  • The Kingston Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 94.1% of the 17 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
  • Looking at the property type distribution in Kingston, House properties are the most common (82.4%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
  • Houses represent a significant 82.4% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.

Kingston Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution

Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms

Room Capacity Insights for Kingston

  • The dominant room capacity in Kingston is 3 bedrooms listings, making up 41.2% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for families or small groups.
  • Together, 3 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms properties represent 64.7% of the active Airbnb listings in Kingston, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
  • A significant 53.0% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Kingston.

Kingston Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)

Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity

Guest Capacity Insights for Kingston

  • The most common guest capacity trend in Kingston vacation rentals is listings accommodating 6 guests (29.4%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
  • Properties designed for 6 guests and 4 guests dominate the Kingston STR market, accounting for 52.9% of listings.
  • 47.0% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Kingston.
  • On average, properties in Kingston are equipped to host 4.9 guests.

Kingston Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Booking Pattern Insights for Kingston

  • The most common availability pattern in Kingston falls within the 181-270 days range, representing 52.9% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
  • Approximately 76.4% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
  • For booked days, the 91-180 days range is most frequent in Kingston (52.9%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
  • A notable 23.5% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.

Kingston Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis

Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement

1 Night (6.7%)

1 Night

1 listings

6.7% of total

2 Nights (26.7%)

2 Nights

4 listings

26.7% of total

3 Nights (33.3%)

3 Nights

5 listings

33.3% of total

4-6 Nights (13.3%)

4-6 Nights

2 listings

13.3% of total

30+ Nights (20%)

30+ Nights

3 listings

20% of total

Key Insights

  • The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Kingston is 3 Nights, adopted by 33.3% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for longer commitments.
  • A significant segment (20%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Kingston, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.

Recommendations

  • Align with the market by considering a 3 Nights minimum stay, as 33.3% of Kingston hosts use this setting.
  • If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 6.7% currently do.
  • Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 20% of the market seeking extended stays.
  • Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Kingston.

Kingston Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)

Flexible (20%)

Flexible

3 listings

20% of total

Moderate (53.3%)

Moderate

8 listings

53.3% of total

Strict (26.7%)

Strict

4 listings

26.7% of total

Cancellation Policy Insights for Kingston

  • The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Kingston is Moderate, used by 53.3% of listings.
  • The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 73.3% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Kingston may expect booking flexibility.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Consider adopting a Moderate policy to align with the 53.3% market standard in Kingston.
  • Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Kingston.

Kingston STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)

Average Booking Lead Time by Month

Booking Lead Time Insights for Kingston

  • The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Kingston is 60 days.
  • Guests book furthest in advance for stays during December (average 127 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
  • The shortest booking windows occur for stays in June (average 37 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
  • Seasonally, Winter (94 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Summer (44 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Use the overall average lead time (60 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Kingston.
  • For December stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 127 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
  • Target marketing efforts for the Winter season well in advance (at least 94 days) to capture early planners.
  • Monitor your own booking lead times against these Kingston averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.

Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Kingston (2025)

Amenity Prevalence

Amenity Insights for Kingston

  • Essential amenities in Kingston that guests expect include: Free parking on premises, Refrigerator, Hot water, Dishes and silverware, Essentials, Cooking basics, Heating. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
  • Popular amenities like Hair dryer, Backyard, Smoke alarm are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Kingston: Free parking on premises, Refrigerator, Hot water, Dishes and silverware, Essentials, Cooking basics, Heating.
  • Consider adding popular differentiators like Hair dryer or Backyard to increase appeal.
  • Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
  • Regularly check competitor amenities in Kingston to stay competitive.

Kingston Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)

Guest Origin: Domestic vs. International
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Guest Age Distribution (Birth Decade)

Guest Profile Summary for Kingston

  • The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Kingston consists of predominantly international visitors (68%), with top international origins including Australia, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
  • Domestic travelers account for 32.2% of guests.
  • Key international markets include New Zealand (32.2%) and Australia (21.5%).
  • Top languages spoken are English (59.2%) followed by Spanish (7.8%).
  • A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Focus marketing internationally, particularly towards travelers from Australia.
  • Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
  • Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
  • Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.

Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison

How does the Kingston Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.

MarketActive PropertiesMonthly RevenueDaily RateAvg. Occupancy
Speargrass Flat11$5,401$488.2452%
Queenstown1,965$4,763$348.9856%
Ben Ohau11$4,636$209.2670%
Dalefield11$4,594$424.6947%
Queenstown18$4,206$383.1547%
Arrow Junction15$3,686$350.8953%
Arrowtown172$2,800$296.1746%
Lower Shotover37$2,718$269.9747%
Wānaka996$2,661$276.6246%
Arthurs Point48$2,601$246.3048%

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