San Mateo Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in California, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in San Mateo in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for San Mateo, California, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for San Mateo, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 179 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in San Mateo, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the San Mateo 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 San Mateo Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in San Mateo (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in San Mateo 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 San Mateo is typically July, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in San Mateo across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $7,419+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $5,118 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,921 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,498, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in San Mateo
San Mateo Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the San Mateo STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Julysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while March 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 San Mateo:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 89%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 79% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 57%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 31% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in San Mateo
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in San Mateo (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in San Mateo involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in San Mateo typically peaks in March and dips lowest during January. 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 $351+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $228 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $146 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $91 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in San Mateo
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in San Mateo (2025)
Peak Season (July, June, May)
- Revenue averages $4,378 per month
- Occupancy rates average 57.5%
- Daily rates average $197
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3,677 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 54.6%
- Daily rates hold near $192
Low Season (February, March, November)
- Revenue drops to average $3,185 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 50.7%
- Daily rates adjust to average $193
Seasonality Insights for San Mateo
- The Airbnb seasonality in San Mateo shows moderate seasonality with distinct peak and low periods. 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 San Mateo's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $4,625, occupancy reaching a high of 65.3%, and ADRs peaking at $202.
- 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 $2,829, occupancy could drop to 46.7%, and ADRs may adjust down to $187.
- 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 San Mateo.
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 San Mateo seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in San Mateo (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in San Mateo? 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 / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Mateo | The bustling heart of San Mateo with a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. A favorite for visitors due to its vibrant atmosphere and convenience to transportation hubs. | Central Park, San Mateo County History Museum, San Mateo Performing Arts Center, Downtown Farmers Market, The Shops at Bay Plaza |
| Hayward Park | A charming residential neighborhood with beautiful parks and close proximity to downtown San Mateo. Ideal for families and travelers looking for a quieter stay. | Hayward Park, Laurelwood Park, Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo Japanese Garden |
| North Shoreview | A residential area known for its proximity to the Bay and local parks. Suitable for travelers who enjoy nature and waterfront activities. | Shoreview Park, Bayside Park, Coyote Point Marina, Coyote Point Museum |
| Bayside | An area that offers beautiful bay views and is close to various outdoor activities. Great for nature lovers and those seeking a relaxing stay. | Coyote Point Recreation Area, Coyote Point Beach, San Mateo Waterfront Park |
| Foster City | Known for its waterfront neighborhoods and family-friendly environment. A great place for families and leisure travelers looking for a scenic experience. | Foster City Lagoon, Leo J. Ryan Park, Foster City Marina, The Lagoon's walking trails |
| Laurelwood | A suburban community with parks and is conveniently located near shopping and dining. Excellent for families and longer stays. | Laurelwood Park, Laurelwood Shopping Center, San Mateo County Event Center |
| Fieldcrest | A quieter neighborhood that is peaceful and has easy access to main roads. Ideal for those who want a calm experience while being close to attractions. | Fieldcrest Park, Nearby hiking trails and parks |
| San Mateo Village | A quaint neighborhood with a small-town feel, featuring local shops and cafes. Appeals to those looking for a local experience. | Laurelwood Plaza, San Mateo Village Shopping Center, Local parks |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in San Mateo (2025)
While San Mateo, California, United States 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 San Mateo to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 1% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in San Mateo (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in San Mateobased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Bay Area home-24 Mi to San Fran!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Tesla EV Charger Basketball Pool Table Hot Tub Spa
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
LG Spacious Comfy Modern 8BR Group Retreat, Quiet
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
@ Marbella Lane - Modern Refreshing Home
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Corporate Retreat Center, Walk Downtown
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
@ Marbella Lane - 3BR w/sweeping views of Bay Area
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in San Mateo (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in San Mateo based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emily | 13 | $510,322 | 102 | 4.50/5.0 |
| Alex | 3 | $283,664 | 55 | 3.32/5.0 |
| Sharon | 4 | $260,249 | 434 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Kelly | 1 | $175,568 | 15 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Wendy | 2 | $151,494 | 89 | 4.59/5.0 |
| Alvin | 6 | $149,121 | 803 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Victor 5 | 3 | $148,648 | 189 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Jason | 1 | $126,659 | 42 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Susan | 3 | $122,204 | 30 | 3.21/5.0 |
| Kenny | 3 | $122,127 | 689 | 4.87/5.0 |
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 San Mateo.
Dive Deeper: Advanced San Mateo STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for San Mateo. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsSan Mateo Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for San Mateo
- The San Mateo Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 60.3% of the 179 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- However, a notable 39.7% share for Private Rooms suggests opportunities for budget-conscious travelers or hosts renting out spare rooms.
- Looking at the property type distribution in San Mateo, House properties are the most common (72.1%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 72.1% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
San Mateo Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for San Mateo
- The dominant room capacity in San Mateo is 1 bedroom listings, making up 30.2% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 46.4% of the active Airbnb listings in San Mateo, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 20.6% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in San Mateo.
San Mateo Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for San Mateo
- The most common guest capacity trend in San Mateo vacation rentals is listings accommodating 2 guests (23.5%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely couples or solo travelers.
- Properties designed for 2 guests and 4 guests dominate the San Mateo STR market, accounting for 38.0% of listings.
- 23.0% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in San Mateo.
- On average, properties in San Mateo are equipped to host 2.9 guests.
San Mateo Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for San Mateo
- The most common availability pattern in San Mateo falls within the 91-180 days range, representing 34.6% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 57.0% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 181-270 days range is most frequent in San Mateo (33.5%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 43.6% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
San Mateo Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
39 listings
23.4% of total
2 Nights
40 listings
24% of total
3 Nights
10 listings
6% of total
4-6 Nights
9 listings
5.4% of total
7-29 Nights
18 listings
10.8% of total
30+ Nights
51 listings
30.5% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in San Mateo is 30+ Nights, adopted by 30.5% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for longer commitments.
- A significant segment (30.5%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in San Mateo, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 30+ Nights minimum stay, as 30.5% of San Mateo hosts use this setting.
- If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 23.4% currently do.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 30.5% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in San Mateo.
San Mateo Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Flexible
19 listings
12.4% of total
Moderate
53 listings
34.6% of total
Firm
35 listings
22.9% of total
Strict
46 listings
30.1% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for San Mateo
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in San Mateo is Moderate, used by 34.6% of listings.
- A majority (53.0%) of hosts in San Mateo utilize Firm or Strict policies, indicating a market where hosts prioritize booking security.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Moderate policy to align with the 34.6% market standard in San Mateo.
- With 30.1% using Strict terms, this is a viable option in San Mateo, particularly for high-value properties or during peak demand periods.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in San Mateo.
San Mateo STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for San Mateo
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in San Mateo is 40 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during June (average 65 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in March (average 30 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (63 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (34 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (40 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in San Mateo.
- For June stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 65 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 63 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these San Mateo averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in San Mateo (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for San Mateo
- Essential amenities in San Mateo that guests expect include: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Carbon monoxide alarm, Heating, Essentials, Hot water. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Shampoo, Hair dryer, Microwave are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for San Mateo: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Carbon monoxide alarm, Heating, Essentials, Hot water.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Smoke alarm, Carbon monoxide alarm, Heating, Essentials, Hot water.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Shampoo or Hair dryer 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 San Mateo to stay competitive.
San Mateo Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for San Mateo
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in San Mateo consists of primarily domestic travelers (82%), often arriving from nearby San Francisco, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 82.4% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (82.4%) and Canada (3.2%).
- Top languages spoken are English (57.2%) followed by Spanish (10.9%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from San Francisco and San Mateo.
- 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 San Mateo 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.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel Point | 15 | $14,673 | $993.70 | 55% |
| Del Monte Forest | 101 | $9,923 | $908.42 | 45% |
| Sonoma | 226 | $9,573 | $786.40 | 45% |
| Eldridge | 18 | $9,143 | $844.84 | 41% |
| Moss Beach | 33 | $9,049 | $627.14 | 54% |
| Glen Ellen | 78 | $8,497 | $722.05 | 43% |
| Kenwood | 56 | $8,325 | $764.83 | 40% |
| Dillon Beach | 78 | $8,269 | $654.37 | 43% |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | 303 | $8,195 | $647.28 | 47% |
| Marshall | 19 | $7,772 | $541.79 | 51% |