Waco Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Texas, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Waco in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Waco, Texas, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Waco, based on AirROI data from June 2024 to May 2025, reveals key trends in the market of 628 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Waco, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Waco 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 Waco Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Waco (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Waco 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 Waco is typically October, while January often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Waco across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $5,168+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $3,562 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,335 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,388, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Waco
Waco Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Waco STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Junesees 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 Waco:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 75%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 60% 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 27% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Waco
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Waco (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Waco involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Waco 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 $326+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $246 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $164 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $115 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Waco
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Waco (2025)
Peak Season (October, March, May)
- Revenue averages $3,232 per month
- Occupancy rates average 46.2%
- Daily rates average $222
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2,773 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 45.8%
- Daily rates hold near $198
Low Season (January, February, September)
- Revenue drops to average $2,320 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 39.8%
- Daily rates adjust to average $204
Seasonality Insights for Waco
- The Airbnb seasonality in Waco 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 Waco's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $3,447, occupancy reaching a high of 50.6%, and ADRs peaking at $238.
- 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 $2,105, occupancy could drop to 35.3%, and ADRs may adjust down to $193.
- 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 Waco.
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 Waco seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Waco (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Waco? 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor University | Home to a large student body and many university events year-round, making it a prime location for short-term rentals catering to visiting families, students, and alumni. | Baylor University, Dr Pepper Museum, Waco Suspension Bridge, Baylor Sciences Building, McLane Stadium |
| Downtown Waco | The revitalized heart of Waco with dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Great for tourists wanting to explore local culture and attractions. | Magnolia Market at the Silos, Waco Downtown Farmers Market, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, Waco Hippodrome Theatre, Dr Pepper Museum |
| Richland Mall Area | A commercial hub with shopping and dining close by, appealing to both leisure travelers and business visitors. | Richland Mall, Cinemark Waco, Lake Waco, Shopping centers |
| Woodway | A suburban area with a family-friendly atmosphere, ideal for families visiting or relocating for work in Waco. | Woodway Park, Lake Waco, Kendall Park |
| Cameron Park | A beautiful natural area with trails and recreational opportunities, attractive for nature lovers and families looking for outdoor activities. | Cameron Park Zoo, Cameron Park, Waco Mammoth National Monument |
| The Plot | A trendy area known for arts and entertainment, appealing to younger visitors and those looking for cultural experiences. | Waco Wine Shoppe, Art galleries, Local music venues |
| Waco Riverwalk | A picturesque area along the Brazos River, perfect for tourists who enjoy walking, biking, and scenic views. | Brazos River, Suspension Bridge, Riverfront Parks |
| McLennan Community College | With a population of students, faculty, and visitors, this area remains an attractive investment opportunity for short-term rentals. | McLennan Community College, Nearby parks, Local eateries |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Waco (2025)
While Waco, Texas, 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 Waco to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 1% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Waco (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Wacobased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
The Dr Pepper House
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Magnolia's Historic Hillcrest Estate
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Cottage House (Pickleball Court)
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Magnolia's Hillcrest Cottage
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
295 Steps To Silos| Pool (Heated)| 3 Min Baylor
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Sterling House: Brand New Home Steps from Magnolia
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 Waco (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Waco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D&L Vacation Rentals | 43 | $1,777,610 | 3398 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Kenneth | 37 | $757,556 | 10175 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Jed | 4 | $468,974 | 258 | 4.99/5.0 |
| Waco Vacation Rentals | 11 | $350,367 | 1100 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Magnolia Vacation Rentals | 2 | $341,587 | 438 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Miller | 15 | $307,034 | 2090 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Billy | 8 | $236,627 | 1640 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Charmaine | 4 | $226,517 | 513 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Sharon | 3 | $206,212 | 866 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Jim | 7 | $194,031 | 968 | 5.00/5.0 |
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 Waco.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Waco STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Waco. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsWaco Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Waco
- The Waco Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 95.9% of the 628 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Waco, House properties are the most common (68.2%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 68.2% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 5.9% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
- Smaller segments like others, unique stays (combined 3.2%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Waco Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Waco
- The dominant room capacity in Waco is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 29.8% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms properties represent 56.9% of the active Airbnb listings in Waco, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 41.8% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Waco.
Waco Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Waco
- The most common guest capacity trend in Waco vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (28.7%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
- Properties designed for 8+ guests and 4 guests dominate the Waco STR market, accounting for 51.3% of listings.
- 54.5% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Waco.
- On average, properties in Waco are equipped to host 5.3 guests.
Waco Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Waco
- The most common availability pattern in Waco falls within the 181-270 days range, representing 39.2% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 74.6% 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 Waco (39.5%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 27.1% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Waco Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
229 listings
38% of total
2 Nights
211 listings
35% of total
3 Nights
3 listings
0.5% of total
4-6 Nights
3 listings
0.5% of total
7-29 Nights
24 listings
4% of total
30+ Nights
133 listings
22.1% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Waco is 1 Night, adopted by 38% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (73.0%) of the Waco Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- A significant segment (22.1%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Waco, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 38% of Waco hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 22.1% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Waco.
Waco Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Super Strict 60 Days
1 listings
0.2% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
5 listings
0.8% of total
Flexible
95 listings
16% of total
Moderate
248 listings
41.9% of total
Firm
136 listings
23% of total
Strict
107 listings
18.1% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Waco
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Waco is Moderate, used by 41.9% of listings.
- There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (57.9%) and stricter (41.1%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Moderate policy to align with the 41.9% market standard in Waco.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Waco.
Waco STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Waco
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Waco is 43 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during May (average 79 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in July (average 23 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Spring (52 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Summer (33 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (43 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Waco.
- For May stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 79 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Spring season well in advance (at least 52 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Waco averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Waco (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Waco
- Essential amenities in Waco that guests expect include: Air conditioning, Wifi, Free parking on premises, Smoke alarm, Heating. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like TV, Hot water, Coffee maker are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Waco: Air conditioning, Wifi, Free parking on premises, Smoke alarm, Heating.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Air conditioning, Wifi, Free parking on premises, Smoke alarm, Heating.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like TV or Hot water 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 Waco to stay competitive.
Waco Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Waco
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Waco consists of primarily domestic travelers (98%), often arriving from nearby Houston, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 97.7% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (97.7%) and Canada (0.5%).
- Top languages spoken are English (78.1%) followed by Spanish (14.1%).
- 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 Houston and Dallas.
- 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 Waco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Harbor | 14 | $5,391 | $662.31 | 36% |
| Jonestown | 63 | $5,090 | $507.48 | 31% |
| Strawn | 25 | $4,976 | $695.00 | 29% |
| Hudson Bend | 65 | $4,407 | $527.36 | 30% |
| West Lake Hills | 23 | $4,206 | $736.27 | 30% |
| Groesbeck | 10 | $4,204 | $388.13 | 36% |
| Volente | 22 | $3,510 | $438.32 | 31% |
| DeSoto | 34 | $3,508 | $276.14 | 43% |
| Dripping Springs | 420 | $3,434 | $388.79 | 34% |
| Briarcliff | 40 | $3,394 | $393.95 | 30% |