Airbnb market data · 202612 months to September 2026

Chicago, IL Airbnb Market Data: Revenue, Occupancy & Trends

Source: AirROI Reviewed by , Founder @ AirROI Updated

Active Airbnb listings
6,456
Avg. booking lead time
47 days
Listings showing a permit
82%
Peak revenue month
July
Lowest revenue month
January

The short answer

Chicago Airbnb Market at a Glance

Listings averaged $274 a night, about 10% higher than the Illinois average of $250, and were booked on 47% of available nights, close to its 45%.

Timing matters: in July, usually the best month, the average listing earns about three times as much as in January, usually the slowest.

With 6,456 active listings, Chicago is the largest of 120 Illinois markets AirROI tracks. From a year earlier, average revenue rose 15% while the number of active listings grew 20%.

Map of Airbnb listings in Chicago Browse the live Chicago Airbnb market See Every Chicago Listing

Revenue

How Much Do Airbnb Hosts Make in Chicago?

Gross bookings per Chicago listing averaged $39,771 over the 12 months to September 2026 (Illinois average: $33,660), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.

In a typical year, the average Chicago listing brings in $6,510 in July, its best month, and $2,120 in January, its slowest. Both ends are close calls: July leads June by 4%, and January sits just 4% below February, so either pair can swap places 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 3.5 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.

  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) earn $9,700+ a month, about three times the typical property.
  • Strong performers (top 25%) earn $5,860 or more, roughly $2,500 a month above the median.
  • Typical properties (median) earn about $3,330 a month.
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn $1,660 or less, about half of the median.

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 three 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.

Chicago Airbnb Data by Month

Latest 12 months in the September 2026 data. September's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to August.

July 2026 led on revenue and nightly rate; bookings peaked in June 2026.

Average monthly Airbnb revenue, occupancy, nightly rate, RevPAR, booking lead time and length of stay per active listing in Chicago, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026
Month Avg. Revenue Occupancy Avg. Nightly Rate RevPAR Booking Lead Time Avg. Length of Stay
Sep 2025$4,73856.3%$249$15851 days4.9 nights
Oct 2025$4,71653.0%$251$15270 days4.5 nights
Nov 2025$3,64247.0%$227$12142 days4.6 nights
Dec 2025$3,59545.4%$228$11631 days4.9 nights
Jan 2026$2,27635.6%$207$7324 days6.4 nights
Feb 2026$2,41239.9%$206$8625 days5.9 nights
Mar 2026$3,53345.8%$228$11433 days5.2 nights
Apr 2026$3,48546.4%$230$11638 days5.3 nights
May 2026$5,84256.3%$307$18850 days5 nights
Jun 2026$7,02362.9%$332$23456 days5.2 nights
Jul 2026$7,22856.0%$340$23365 days4.9 nights
Aug 2026$6,63460.7%$324$21457 days4 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.

For a figure on one home rather than the whole Chicago market, enter its address and size in the Airbnb income calculator, which compares it with similar listings nearby.

Profit

Is an Airbnb in Chicago Profitable?

Yes, when it's run well. The average Chicago Airbnb took in $39,771 in the 12 months to September 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about $2,160 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 $3,840 a month.

Cleaning it yourself keeps the $4,060 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about $2,500 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about $1,860 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.

Chicago Airbnb Income, Expenses and Profit per Year

A year of income, running costs and what is left for housing costs for an average and a top-quarter Chicago Airbnb
Line Average listing Top-quarter listing
Money in
Nightly bookings$35,711$62,830
Cleaning fees guests pay10% of Chicago bookings$4,060$7,140
Gross bookings$39,771$69,970
Running costs
Airbnb's feeAbout 13%: 15.5% for the 81% of Chicago listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest−$5,220−$9,190
Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; $0 if you clean yourself−$4,060−$7,140
Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings−$1,990−$3,500
Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2%−$800−$1,400
Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3%−$1,190−$2,100
Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover−$400−$400
Permit and registrationWhere one is required: see Chicago's Airbnb rules−$200−$200
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 25% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee−$13,860−$23,930
Left for housing costs, then profit$25,911about $2,160 a month$46,040about $3,840 a month
Housing costs
Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, HOA or condo fees Depend on the home

Estimate Your Own Chicago Airbnb Profit

The estimate starts from Chicago'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 Chicago 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.

How Chicago's Top Earners Get There

  • More nights booked. The busiest quarter of Chicago listings are booked on 72% or more of their nights, against 51% for the median listing. Ten more booked nights a year at the median rate of $190 adds about $1,920 in bookings.
  • Prices that follow demand. Ranked by price, the top quarter charge $310 a night or more, against a median of $190. That is a separate ranking from the busiest quarter, so the two marks don't multiply into one listing's takings. For the average listing, a 10% higher rate on the nights it already books adds about $3,570 a year.
  • Open for the busy months. In a typical year, July brings the average listing about $6,510, against $2,120 in January, so a calendar that is open and full in the busy months carries the year.
  • Reviews that stand out. Chicago listings average 4.77 stars, and 39% carry Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge, which guests can filter for.

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 $5,830 a month, against $3,310 for the average one.

Occupancy

What Is the Airbnb Occupancy Rate in Chicago?

Chicago listings were booked on 47% of the nights they were open over the past year, 2 percentage points above the Illinois average (45%) and 6 points above the U.S. average (41%). In a typical year, occupancy climbs to 60% in June and falls to 36% in January.

The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 2.9 times as often as the bottom quarter.

  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) are booked 85%+ of open nights, 34 points above the median.
  • Strong performers (top 25%) fill 72% or more, roughly five nights a week.
  • Typical properties (median) fill about 51% of open nights.
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) fill 30% or less, under three nights a week.

June is usually the busiest month in Chicago, January the quietest

Share of open nights booked, by month, September 2024 to August 2026

The 12-month rate of 47% averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.

Nightly rates

How Much Does an Airbnb Cost per Night in Chicago?

The average nightly rate in Chicago, known as ADR (average daily rate), was $274 over the past year, about 10% above the Illinois average of $250 and about 14% below the U.S. average of $320. In a typical year, rates swing with the seasons, from about $200 in January and February to about $305 in June and July.

Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about 4.3 times the rate of the bottom quarter.

  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) charge $505+ a night, about 2.6 times the median.
  • Strong performers (top 25%) charge $310 or more, about $120 above the median.
  • Typical properties (median) charge about $190 a night.
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) charge $120 or less, about 62% of the median.

July rates run 53% above February's

Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026

The 12-month ADR of $274 averages each listing's own rate across its whole year; the monthly points average listings month by month, so the two differ.

What Is the RevPAR for Airbnb in Chicago?

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 Chicago it averaged $137 over the past year, from about $68 in a typical January to about $210 in a typical July.

Per open night, by tier:

  • Best-in-class properties (top 10%) earn $279+ per open night, about 2.8 times the median.
  • Strong performers (top 25%) earn $172 or more, about $70 a night above the median.
  • Typical properties (median) earn about $101 per open night.
  • Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn $54 or less, about half of the median.

July RevPAR is about three times January's

Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026

Seasonality

Best and Worst Months for Airbnb in Chicago

Chicago has one high season, May through August, which makes it a highly seasonal market. Business is slowest from November to April. A listing earns about 2.4 times as much a month in June through August as in December through February.

Average revenue by month in Chicago

Average revenue per active listing, each calendar month averaged over the past two years

Revenue by month in Chicago in numbers
Average monthly revenue per active listing in Chicago, by calendar month
Month Season Revenue per listing
JanuaryLow season$2,120
FebruaryLow season$2,210
MarchLow season$3,330
AprilLow season$3,300
MayHigh season$5,190
JuneHigh season$6,250
JulyHigh season$6,510
AugustHigh season$6,020
SeptemberShoulder season$4,420
OctoberShoulder season$4,290
NovemberLow season$3,610
DecemberLow season$3,430
Average monthly Airbnb revenue, occupancy and nightly rate in Chicago by season
Season Revenue per month Occupancy Nightly rate
High seasonMay–August$5,99058%$293
Shoulder seasonSeptember–October$4,35056%$231
Low seasonNovember–April$3,00045%$212

How Far in Advance Do Guests Book Airbnb in Chicago?

Guests book Chicago stays 47 days ahead on average (about seven weeks). October stays are booked furthest out, about 65 days ahead, and January stays closest to arrival, about 23 days. A typical October booking is made in mid-August.

October stays are booked furthest ahead

Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, September 2024 to August 2026

The 12-month figure of 47 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.

Permits

Airbnb Permits and Registration in Chicago

Airbnb is legal in Chicago with a $250-a-year city registration; houses and buildings of up to four homes must be your primary residence, the minimum stay is two nights, and taxes add about 23%.

82% of the 6,456 active listings in Chicago display a registration, permit or license number. The share shows what hosts display, not what local rules allow: it can't show whether new permits are still issued, or whether limits on nights, zones or property types apply.

The permit, operating limits and taxes on a stay are set out in the Chicago Airbnb regulations, each rule linked to its official source and checked October 2026.

Neighborhoods

Best Neighborhoods for Airbnb in Chicago

AirROI's area guide picks eight Chicago neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Lincoln Park, The Loop and Wicker Park. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.

Best neighborhoods for Airbnb in Chicago
Area Who it suits Landmarks nearby
Lincoln Park A vibrant neighborhood known for its beautiful park, cultural attractions, and proximity to Lake Michigan. Popular with families and tourists looking for green spaces and cultural experiences.Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Lincoln Park Boat House, LAKEVIEW neighborhood
The Loop Chicago's central business district, offering easy access to attractions, restaurants, and public transportation. Ideal for business travelers and tourists wanting to be in the heart of the city.Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower, Chicago Riverwalk, The Magnificent Mile
Wicker Park A hip neighborhood known for its vibrant arts scene, diverse restaurants, and nightlife. A great choice for young professionals and tourists wanting to experience local culture.Wicker Park, Milwaukee Avenue shops, Big Star tacos, The Empty Bottle, David Bowie mural
River North Known for its upscale dining, art galleries, and proximity to the Magnificent Mile. A prime location for tourists looking for a luxurious experience and great nightlife.Chicago River, The Merchandise Mart, The House of Blues, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Shaw's Crab House
West Loop A trendy neighborhood famous for its food scene and vibrant nightlife. Attracts foodies and young professionals looking for unique dining experiences and local culture.Fulton Market, The Chicago French Market, Girl & The Goat, The United Center, Skinny Pop
Pilsen Culturally rich neighborhood known for its Mexican heritage, vibrant street art, and creative community. Attracts those interested in culture and art.National Museum of Mexican Art, Pilsen Street Murals, Cermak Plaza, The Thalia Hall, Mural Project
Navy Pier A major attraction for tourists with restaurants, entertainment options, and stunning lakeside views. Great for family stays and vacationers.Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, Chicago Children's Museum, Lake Michigan boat tours, Fireworks show, Restaurants and shops
Hyde Park Home to the University of Chicago and known for its historic architecture and beautiful parks. Ideal for academics and families visiting the area.University of Chicago, The Museum of Science and Industry, Jackson Park, Frank Lloyd Wright homes, The Court Theatre

Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.

Listings

Chicago Airbnb Listings by Type and Size

Entire homes make up 79% of listings in Chicago, but private rooms are a real segment: about one listing in five (20%) rents out a single room. Apartments and condos account for 75% of the stock; houses come next at 19%.

Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment

Chicago Airbnb listings by room type

  • Entire home 79%
  • Private room 20%
  • Hotel room <1%
  • Shared room <1%
Room types in numbers
Chicago Airbnb listings by room type
Room type Share of listings Listings
Entire home79.0%5,101
Private room20.2%1,305
Hotel room0.5%35
Shared room0.2%15

Apartments dominate the property mix

Chicago Airbnb listings by property type

  • Apartment/Condo 75%
  • House 19%
  • Hotel/Boutique 4%
  • Others 2%
  • Cabin/Outdoor <1%
Property types in numbers
Chicago Airbnb listings by property type
Property type Share of listings Listings
Apartment/Condo75.2%4,852
House19.0%1,227
Hotel/Boutique3.7%242
Others2.1%134
Cabin/Outdoor0.0%1

How Many Bedrooms Do Airbnb Listings in Chicago Have?

Two-bedroom homes are the most common size in Chicago (36% of entire homes), and 36% have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 4,980 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.

Chicago entire homes by number of bedrooms

Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file

Bedroom counts in numbers
Chicago entire homes by number of bedrooms
Bedrooms Share of entire homes with a bedroom count Entire homes
Studio5.6%278
1 bedroom21.9%1,090
2 bedrooms36.3%1,807
3 bedrooms22.8%1,134
4 bedrooms8.4%417
5+ bedrooms5.1%254

What Each Home Size Earns in Chicago

A typical studio in Chicago earned $23,400 over the past year, against $97,300 for a home with five or more bedrooms.

What each home size earns in Chicago
Home size Listings Typical annual revenue (median) Average annual revenue Avg. nightly rate Occupancy
Studio278$23,400$25,400$17352%
1 bedroom1,090$24,900$28,500$18451%
2 bedrooms1,807$34,900$43,100$26351%
3 bedrooms1,134$41,400$53,900$35846%
4 bedrooms417$57,900$72,200$54143%
5+ bedrooms254$97,300$123,000$93043%

How Many Guests Do Airbnbs in Chicago Sleep?

The most common capacity in Chicago is four guests or eight or more (23% of listings each), and 44% of listings sleep six or more. Shares are of the 5,370 listings with a guest capacity on file (83% of the market).

Chicago listings by guest capacity

Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file

Guest capacity in numbers
Chicago listings by guest capacity
Guest capacity Share of listings with a capacity on file Listings
1 guest1.2%65
2 guests17.5%939
3 guests6.2%332
4 guests22.7%1,219
5 guests8.4%452
6 guests17.7%948
7 guests3.3%177
8+ guests23.0%1,233

How Chicago Airbnb Listings Are Set Up

Chicago hosts set up an average of 2.7 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. About three in ten listings (29%) show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.

Photos per listing
12
Beds per listing
2.7
Show exact location
29%

What Amenities Do Airbnb Listings in Chicago Offer?

Chicago listings compete on the household basics: the ten most common amenities are staples led by wifi, heating and a smoke alarm, with no pool, hot tub or free on-site parking among them.

Share of Chicago listings with each common amenity

  • Wifi Nearly all
  • Heating 99%
  • Smoke alarm 98%
  • Air conditioning 98%
  • Carbon monoxide alarm 95%
  • Kitchen 93%
  • Hot water 93%
  • TV 93%
  • Dishes and silverware 89%
  • Hair dryer 88%

Airbnb Amenities Linked to Higher Revenue in Chicago

Listings in Chicago with an outdoor kitchen earned about 2.9 times as much a year, on average, as those without: $108,000 against $37,800. The gap is smaller for a children's playroom (about 2.4 times as much) and arcade games (about 2.2 times as much). Bigger, professionally run homes tend to carry more amenities, so these gaps reflect the kind of listing as much as the feature itself.

Revenue gap for Chicago listings with each amenity

How much more listings with the amenity earned in a year than those without, and the share of listings that have it

  • Outdoor kitchen +187% on 3% of listings
  • Children's playroom +141% on 1% of listings
  • Arcade games +121% on 2% of listings
  • Ping pong table +117% on 2% of listings
  • Sun loungers +115% on 5% of listings
  • Theme room +112% on 2% of listings
  • Paid parking off premises +101% on 16% of listings
  • Movie theater +97% on 1% of listings
  • Life size games +94% on 0.9% of listings
  • Waterfront +91% on 2% of listings
Revenue by amenity in numbers
Average annual revenue of Chicago listings with and without each amenity
Amenity Listings with it Avg. revenue with Avg. revenue without Revenue gap
Outdoor kitchen3%$108,000$37,800+187%
Children's playroom1%$94,300$39,100+141%
Arcade games2%$85,800$38,800+121%
Ping pong table2%$84,500$39,000+117%
Sun loungers5%$81,100$37,700+115%
Theme room2%$82,500$38,900+112%
Paid parking off premises16%$68,900$34,300+101%
Movie theater1%$77,400$39,200+97%
Life size games0.9%$76,400$39,400+94%
Waterfront2%$74,700$39,200+91%

Guests

Who Books Airbnbs in Chicago?

Chicago draws mostly domestic guests: nine in ten of those who left reviews live in the United States. No single city dominates: New York is the largest source outside Chicago, at about 3% of reviews. Of the 11% from abroad, the largest groups come from Canada and Mexico. English is spoken by 63% of guests, and Spanish by 16%.

89% of Chicago guests are domestic

Where guests who left reviews live

  • Domestic 89%
  • International 11%

Where Chicago guests come from: top cities

Share of guests who left reviews

  • Chicago 6%
  • New York 3%
  • Los Angeles 2%
  • Minneapolis 2%
  • St. Louis 1%
Top origin cities in numbers
Where Chicago guests come from: top cities
Origin city Share of guests
Chicago5.8%
New York3.4%
Los Angeles1.7%
Minneapolis1.7%
St. Louis1.4%

Where Chicago guests come from: top countries

Share of guests who left reviews

  • United States 89%
  • Canada 2%
  • Mexico 2%
  • United Kingdom 1%
Top origin countries in numbers
Where Chicago guests come from: top countries
Origin country Share of guests
United States89.0%
Canada1.6%
Mexico1.6%
United Kingdom1.2%

Languages spoken by Chicago guests

Share of guests who left reviews

  • English 63%
  • Spanish 16%
  • French 5%
  • German 3%
  • Chinese 2%
Top languages in numbers
Languages spoken by Chicago guests
Language Share of guests
English62.7%
Spanish16.4%
French5.2%
German2.6%
Chinese1.8%

What Are Airbnb Guest Ratings in Chicago?

Chicago Airbnbs average 4.77 stars, and 39% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. Guests are toughest on value for money: it scores 4.69, against 4.88 for host communication. Listings here carry long review histories, about 92 reviews each on average.

Communication scores highest in Chicago; value is lowest

Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0

  • Accuracy 4.81
  • Cleanliness 4.77
  • Communication 4.88
  • Location 4.77
  • Check-in 4.86
  • Value 4.69
Category scores in numbers
Chicago guest ratings by category
Category Average rating (out of 5)
Accuracy4.81
Cleanliness4.77
Communication4.88
Location4.77
Check-in4.86
Value4.69

Booking patterns

How Guests Book in Chicago: Stays, Rules and Fees

Nearly seven in ten Chicago listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 33% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 91 to 180 days a year, covering 31% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.

Days a year Chicago listings are open to guests

Share of listings by days a year

  • 271-366 days 37%
  • 181-270 days 31%
  • 91-180 days 24%
  • 31-90 days 7%
  • 1-30 days <1%
Open days in numbers
Days a year Chicago listings are open to guests
Days a year Share of listings Listings
271-366 days37.4%2,412
181-270 days31.1%2,007
91-180 days24.1%1,554
31-90 days7.2%465
1-30 days0.3%18

Days a year Chicago listings are booked or blocked

Share of listings by days a year

  • 271-366 days 8%
  • 181-270 days 25%
  • 91-180 days 31%
  • 31-90 days 22%
  • 1-30 days 14%
Booked or blocked days in numbers
Days a year Chicago listings are booked or blocked
Days a year Share of listings Listings
271-366 days8.1%525
181-270 days24.8%1,604
91-180 days31.0%2,000
31-90 days21.6%1,393
1-30 days14.5%934

What Is the Average Length of Stay for Airbnb in Chicago?

Bookings in Chicago average 4.3 to 6.2 nights depending on the month, longest in January and shortest in October. Listings took about 31 bookings each over the year, some 200,000 in all. Nearly half of 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 Chicago

Average nights per booking, by month of stay

Two-year average by calendar month.

Chicago Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements

Nearly two-thirds of listings in Chicago accept stays of one or two nights. A smaller group, 14%, takes only stays of 30 nights or more.

Minimum stay set by Chicago listings

Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more

  • 1 Night 3% 169 listings
  • 2 Nights 61% 3,934 listings
  • 3 Nights 11% 711 listings
  • 4-6 Nights 5% 309 listings
  • 7-29 Nights 7% 456 listings
  • 30+ Nights 14% 877 listings

What Cancellation Policies Do Airbnb Hosts Use in Chicago?

Firm is the most common cancellation policy in Chicago, used by 39% of listings; it refunds guests in full only if they cancel at least 30 days before check-in. Hosts here lean strict: 56% of listings use Firm or stricter terms, against 36% on Flexible or Moderate.

Cancellation policies of Chicago listings, from most to least flexible

Share of listings by the policy they use

  • Flexible 14% 935 listings
  • Moderate 21% 1,357 listings
  • Limited 8% 538 listings
  • Firm 39% 2,522 listings
  • Strict 16% 1,057 listings
  • Super Strict 30 Days <1% 26 listings
  • Super Strict 60 Days <1% 21 listings

How Much Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees in Chicago?

Nearly nine in ten Chicago listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is $129; a handful of extreme values pull the simple average far above that, so the median is the better guide. Spread over the average stay of about five nights, that adds roughly $25 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 10% of gross revenue.

Median cleaning fee
$129
Listings charging a fee
87.2%
Share of gross revenue
10.2%

Top earners

Top-Earning Airbnbs and Hosts in Chicago

The top-grossing Airbnb in Chicago, a nine-bedroom home, took in $542,000 over the past year, about 14 times the city's average of $39,800. All six listings below have five or more bedrooms, so the top of this market belongs to large homes.

Luxury Loft Collection 1, 2, 3 Luxury Loft Collection 1, 2, 3 Entire home · 9 bedrooms Rated 4.67
Revenue
$542,213
Occupancy
66.4%
Daily rate
$2,514
Luxury Designer Penthouse Combo West | Gold Coast Luxury Designer Penthouse Combo West | Gold Coast Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 4.58
Revenue
$456,085
Occupancy
74.6%
Daily rate
$1,551
Luxury Loft Collection COMBO 01/03 | Terrace Luxury Loft Collection COMBO 01/03 | Terrace Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Revenue
$450,964
Occupancy
73.0%
Daily rate
$1,685
The Grand Kimball Lodge - Historic Loft Building The Grand Kimball Lodge - Historic Loft Building Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 4.97
Revenue
$441,376
Occupancy
69.4%
Daily rate
$1,611
Unique Luxury Fulton Market Penthouse - Sleeps 32 Unique Luxury Fulton Market Penthouse - Sleeps 32 Entire home · 9 bedrooms Rated 4.96
Revenue
$421,507
Occupancy
60.2%
Daily rate
$2,164
Luxury Loft Collection COMBO 02/03 | Terrace Luxury Loft Collection COMBO 02/03 | Terrace Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Revenue
$413,408
Occupancy
58.8%
Daily rate
$1,777

Who Are the Top Airbnb Hosts in Chicago?

Cloud9 is the top-grossing host in Chicago, with $10.1 million in bookings across 81 listings over the past year. Hosting here is fragmented: the ten top-grossing hosts run just 6% of the market's 6,456 listings. Per listing, a smaller operator earns more: Hubbard Holdings grossed $242,000 per listing, 94% more than Cloud9's $124,000.

Top Airbnb hosts in Chicago by revenue
# Host Listings Gross revenue Per listing Avg. rating
Cloud9 81$10,077,930$124,4194.84/5
Hubbard Holdings 35$8,458,677$241,6764.86/5
Milan 79$7,202,495$91,1714.77/5
4 Assel 34$4,186,436$123,1304.71/5
5 Staywell 25$4,172,371$166,8954.78/5
6 Chicago Hospitality Club 36$3,793,898$105,3864.85/5
7 The Dream Rentals 44$3,789,868$86,1334.75/5
8 Nicole And Matt 19$2,181,377$114,8094.91/5
9 Stephanie 28$2,142,956$76,5344.88/5
10 Kyriako 35$2,088,860$59,6824.76/5

Who Are the Airbnb Hosts in Chicago?

Only 13% of Chicago listings are classed as professionally managed, though 37% of listings have a co-host. 56% of 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 81% of listings.

Superhosts
55.7%
Professional management
12.7%
Cohosted listings
37.1%
Instant Book enabled
29.2%
Simplified Pricing
81.0%

Largest Airbnb Management Companies in Chicago

26 management companies run five or more active Airbnb listings in Chicago, and companies run 15% of its 6,456 active listings. Alle’s Team is the largest, with 98 listings and an average guest rating of 4.60; the next largest are AllSet Turnover, Cloud9 Windy City, The Dream Rentals and Trove. Among the five largest, Trove's homes rate highest, at 4.88.

The five largest run 6% of Chicago's listings

Share of Chicago's 6,456 active Airbnb listings each company runs as host or co-host

  • Alle’s Team 2% · 98
  • AllSet Turnover 1% · 84
  • Cloud9 Windy City 1% · 81
  • The Dream Rentals <1% · 61
  • Trove <1% · 59
  • All other listings 94%

Listings each company runs as host or co-host, 12 months to September 2026. Guest ratings average each listing's Airbnb rating, weighted by its reviews.

See all 26 companies ranked in the Chicago Airbnb management ranking, with how their homes earn against similar ones.

Nearby markets

Chicago vs. Nearby Airbnb Markets

Chicago out-earns every one of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 27 km; the best of them, Des Plaines, averaged about 7% less per listing. Westmont was the busiest, booked on 54% of nights against 47% in Chicago.

Airbnb markets near Chicago: distance, revenue, nightly rate and occupancy
Market Listings Avg. annual revenue Avg. nightly rate Occupancy
Cicero 8 km 31$25,103$18544%
Oak Park 10 km 247$27,808$21044%
Berwyn 11 km 101$27,364$19249%
Forest Park 11 km 115$27,233$18547%
Evanston 17 km 215$36,749$26147%
Skokie 17 km 83$29,295$25144%
Des Plaines 23 km 74$36,904$24345%
Westmont 27 km 34$35,329$23054%

Other Airbnb Markets in Illinois

See all 120 Illinois Airbnb markets

Markets Similar to Chicago

Markets elsewhere in the United States with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Chicago:

FAQ

Chicago Airbnb FAQ

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Chicago?

An active Chicago Airbnb grossed $39,771 on average in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 6,456 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in $5,860 or more in a typical month.

How much can I make on Airbnb in Chicago?

It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Chicago listings earn between $1,660 and $5,860 in a typical month, and the top tenth $9,700 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Chicago?

Listings in Chicago were booked on 47% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 45% for the Illinois average. June is usually the busiest month.

How much does an Airbnb cost per night in Chicago?

The average booked night in Chicago cost $274 before fees. Half of listings charge between $120 and $310, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.

Do you need a permit for an Airbnb in Chicago?

Yes, Chicago allows Airbnb stays of 31 days or fewer with a $250-a-year city registration, but a house or a building of up to four homes must be the host's primary residence. The Chicago Airbnb regulations set out the permit, its cost, the taxes on a stay and the operating limits, each linked to its official source.

Is Airbnb profitable in Chicago?

Yes, when it's run well. The average Chicago Airbnb grossed $39,771 in the 12 months to September 2026, 18% above the Illinois average of $33,660. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, $25,911 a year (about $2,160 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 $3,840 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.

When is Airbnb peak season in Chicago?

July usually pays best, averaging $6,510 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.

What is the Airbnb RevPAR in Chicago?

Each night a Chicago listing was open to book earned $137 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 $279 or more.

How far in advance do guests book Airbnbs in Chicago?

Chicago stays were booked 47 days (about seven weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.

How long do guests stay at Airbnbs in Chicago?

The average Chicago Airbnb stay lasts about five nights. A listing took 31 reservations over the year on average.

How are Airbnbs in Chicago rated?

Guests rate Chicago Airbnbs 4.77 out of 5 on average. Guests score communication highest and value lowest.

What are the best neighborhoods for Airbnb in Chicago?

Lincoln Park, The Loop and Wicker Park draw the most short-term rental interest in Chicago. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.

How many Airbnbs are there in Chicago?

AirROI counted 6,456 active Airbnb listings in Chicago as of September 2026. The closest tracked market is Cicero, 8 km away.

How much are Airbnb cleaning fees in Chicago?

In Chicago, nearly nine in ten listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is $129; a handful of extreme values pull the simple average far above that, so the median is the better guide.

Method

About This Data

Figures on this page cover 6,456 active Airbnb listings in Chicago 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.