Cambridge Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Massachusetts, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Cambridge in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Cambridge, based on AirROI data from June 2024 to May 2025, reveals key trends in the market of 740 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Cambridge, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Cambridge Airbnb data is crucial. Navigating the high regulation landscape is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Cambridge Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Cambridge (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Cambridge 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 Cambridge is typically October, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Cambridge across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $8,155+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $5,030 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,733 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,490, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Cambridge
Cambridge Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Cambridge STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Octobersees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while January 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 Cambridge:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 91%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 80% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 60%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 33% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Cambridge
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Cambridge (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Cambridge involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Cambridge typically peaks in May and dips lowest during December. 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 $385+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $255 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $155 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $92 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Cambridge
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Cambridge (2025)
Peak Season (October, July, May)
- Revenue averages $4,670 per month
- Occupancy rates average 61.4%
- Daily rates average $213
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4,014 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 59.1%
- Daily rates hold near $201
Low Season (January, February, December)
- Revenue drops to average $2,499 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 44.9%
- Daily rates adjust to average $197
Seasonality Insights for Cambridge
- The Airbnb seasonality in Cambridge 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 Cambridge's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $4,823, occupancy reaching a high of 66.1%, and ADRs peaking at $262.
- 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 $2,376, occupancy could drop to 44.0%, and ADRs may adjust down to $179.
- 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 Cambridge.
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 Cambridge seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Cambridge (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Cambridge? 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard Square | A bustling hub of culture and academia, featuring shops, restaurants, and historic sites. It attracts visitors to Harvard University and offers a vibrant atmosphere year-round. | Harvard University, Harvard Art Museums, Oldies but Goodies rock club, Tavern in the Square, The Brattle Theatre |
| Central Square | Known for its eclectic vibe, Central Square is a diverse neighborhood with restaurants, music venues, and proximity to MIT. It attracts a mix of students, young professionals, and visitors. | The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub, Central Square Theater, Cambridge Public Library, The Cantab Lounge, Tavern at the End of the World |
| Kendall Square | Famous for its innovation and technology hubs, Kendall Square is close to MIT and hosts many tech startups. Ideal for business travelers and tech enthusiasts looking for short-term stays. | MIT Museum, Kendall Square Cinema, The Charles River, Harvard University, Inman Square |
| Porter Square | A key junction for travelers and residents, this area features a mix of residential and commercial properties. It offers easy access to public transportation and nearby attractions. | Porter Square Shopping Center, Alewife Brook Parkway, Drew's and The Abbey, The Somerville Theatre, Massachusetts Audubon Society |
| Inman Square | A lively neighborhood known for its diverse food scene and local shops, Inman Square attracts food lovers and those wanting a community feel. | Toscanini's Ice Cream, The Druid, Cambridge Public Library, The Alewife, Popular local cafes and eateries |
| Fresh Pond | A predominantly residential neighborhood with a large park and pond. Ideal for guests seeking a peaceful retreat while still being close to city amenities. | Fresh Pond Reservation, The Fresh Pond Mall, Walking trails, Dog park, Golf course |
| Mit West | An area that is thriving with development and close to research facilities of MIT, attractive to students and tech workers alike, providing an energetic environment. | MIT Sloan School of Management, Baker House, Research labs, Nearby cafés and tech hubs, Unique architectural sights |
| Cambridgeport | A charming residential area known for its historic homes and picturesque streets, Cambridgeport attracts families and travelers looking for a more subdued atmosphere, with easy river access. | Charles River, The Amory Playground, Local art galleries, Dining options along the river, Bike paths and walking trails |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Cambridge (2025)
Yes, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States enforces high STR regulations. Obtaining a license and ensuring compliance is almost certainly required according to current 2025 STR laws. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Cambridge to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 31% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Cambridge (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Cambridgebased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
4BR 3BA Cambridge Oasis - Harvard/MIT/Boston
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Ideal location! Harvard mansion 4+br 3.5ba 2park
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Exceptional Modern-Yet-Cozy Cambridge Home
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Luxury 4BR near Harvard/MIT w/ King Beds+Parking!
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Beautiful & Sunny Home in the heart of Cambridge
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Spacious 2+ BR w/ backyard & walking to Harvard Sq
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 Cambridge (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Cambridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johna Magno | 22 | $1,490,448 | 419 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Steve | 43 | $1,409,045 | 1136 | 4.65/5.0 |
| Liya | 54 | $883,260 | 731 | 4.70/5.0 |
| Thatch | 19 | $734,251 | 474 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Hong | 24 | $580,406 | 1401 | 4.59/5.0 |
| Philip | 3 | $439,668 | 350 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Kris | 16 | $410,338 | 335 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Kama | 7 | $314,378 | 84 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Isabel | 11 | $313,459 | 2001 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Sofia | 27 | $301,085 | 144 | 4.77/5.0 |
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 Cambridge.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Cambridge STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Cambridge. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsCambridge Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Cambridge
- The Cambridge Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Private Room listings, which make up 52.3% of the 740 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Cambridge, Apartment/Condo properties are the most common (64.7%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 23.4% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 9.9% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
- Smaller segments like others, outdoor/unique (combined 2.0%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Cambridge Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Cambridge
- The dominant room capacity in Cambridge is 1 bedroom listings, making up 31.2% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 49.0% of the active Airbnb listings in Cambridge, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
Cambridge Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Cambridge
- The most common guest capacity trend in Cambridge vacation rentals is listings accommodating 2 guests (19.9%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely couples or solo travelers.
- Properties designed for 2 guests and 4 guests dominate the Cambridge STR market, accounting for 32.7% of listings.
- 13.8% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Cambridge.
- On average, properties in Cambridge are equipped to host 2.4 guests.
Cambridge Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Cambridge
- The most common availability pattern in Cambridge falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 34.2% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 64.3% 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 Cambridge (29.6%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 36.9% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Cambridge Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
124 listings
17.5% of total
2 Nights
63 listings
8.9% of total
3 Nights
36 listings
5.1% of total
4-6 Nights
53 listings
7.5% of total
7-29 Nights
182 listings
25.7% of total
30+ Nights
249 listings
35.2% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Cambridge is 30+ Nights, adopted by 35.2% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for longer commitments.
- A significant segment (35.2%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Cambridge, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 30+ Nights minimum stay, as 35.2% of Cambridge hosts use this setting.
- If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 17.5% currently do.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 35.2% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Cambridge.
Cambridge Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Super Strict 60 Days
2 listings
0.3% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
4 listings
0.6% of total
Flexible
72 listings
11.2% of total
Moderate
88 listings
13.7% of total
Firm
194 listings
30.2% of total
Strict
282 listings
43.9% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Cambridge
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Cambridge is Strict, used by 43.9% of listings.
- A majority (74.1%) of hosts in Cambridge utilize Firm or Strict policies, indicating a market where hosts prioritize booking security.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Strict policy to align with the 43.9% market standard in Cambridge.
- With 43.9% using Strict terms, this is a viable option in Cambridge, particularly for high-value properties or during peak demand periods.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Cambridge.
Cambridge STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Cambridge
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Cambridge is 49 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during May (average 74 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in February (average 31 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Spring (59 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (33 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (49 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Cambridge.
- For May stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 74 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Spring season well in advance (at least 59 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Cambridge averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Cambridge (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Cambridge
- Essential amenities in Cambridge that guests expect include: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Heating, Carbon monoxide alarm. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Hot water, Essentials, Kitchen are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Cambridge: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Heating, Carbon monoxide alarm.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Wifi, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Heating, Carbon monoxide alarm.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Hot water or Essentials 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 Cambridge to stay competitive.
Cambridge Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Cambridge
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Cambridge consists of primarily domestic travelers (75%), often arriving from nearby New York, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 74.7% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (74.7%) and Canada (3.2%).
- Top languages spoken are English (54.5%) followed by Spanish (11.1%).
- 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 New York and Boston.
- 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 Cambridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantucket | 556 | $6,264 | $980.80 | 41% |
| Nahant | 14 | $5,651 | $542.03 | 51% |
| North Andover | 10 | $5,541 | $391.63 | 53% |
| Town of East Hampton | 1,471 | $5,335 | $968.73 | 36% |
| Pomfret | 15 | $5,068 | $501.23 | 44% |
| Middleton | 10 | $4,801 | $326.54 | 53% |
| Middletown | 407 | $4,775 | $545.67 | 44% |
| Milford | 14 | $4,704 | $459.06 | 53% |
| Worthington | 11 | $4,689 | $601.71 | 30% |
| Wellesley | 21 | $4,588 | $488.26 | 50% |