Champaign, IL Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Champaign Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Champaign, IL presents an attractive short-term rental opportunity driven largely by its role as a major university town anchored by the University of Illinois. With an average annual revenue of $23,852 and average home values of $366,047, the revenue-to-price ratio sits above the state average—giving investors a more accessible entry point than many Illinois markets. The market's 148 active listings and above-average occupancy stability suggest consistent demand, though a below-average supply/demand balance warrants careful property selection.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Champaign short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026.

Why Investors Consider Champaign

Investors are drawn to Champaign for its favorable revenue-to-price ratio, university-anchored demand, and relatively low barrier to entry compared to larger Illinois metros.

Expert Market Assessment

"Champaign earns a 61 out of 100 on the ROI Score, placing it in the "Attractive Opportunity" tier—a market where the fundamentals align for investors willing to do their homework. Revenue peaks sharply from August through October, with September hitting $2,686 and August topping the chart at $2,956, reflecting strong university-season demand. The winter months represent a clear soft period, with January dipping to $1,089, so investors should build seasonal variability into their financial models. Overall, the combination of above-average revenue-to-price performance and stable occupancy makes this a market worth serious consideration, particularly for properties that can capture event-weekend and academic-year traffic."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Champaign

Average revenue by month in Champaign

Revenue in Champaign follows a pronounced seasonal pattern tied to the academic calendar, peaking in August at $2,956 and bottoming out in January at $1,089—a spread of nearly $1,900. The strongest sustained earning window runs from August through November, while summer months like June ($1,518) show a notable dip between spring and fall demand waves.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Champaign

One-bedroom units dominate the supply with 56 listings, accounting for more than a third of Champaign's 148 active properties. Four-bedroom (16) and five-bedroom (9) listings are notably scarce, which could signal an opportunity for investors targeting group travel or family stays tied to university events.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Champaign

ADR scales sharply with property size, jumping from $84 for 1-bedroom units to $405 for 4-bedroom properties—by far the highest rate in the market. Notably, 5-bedroom listings command only $225, suggesting that the premium-to-cost trade-off may be strongest at the 3- to 4-bedroom tier where nightly rates of $215–$405 pair with limited competition.

Average RevPAN by property size in Champaign

Four-bedroom properties deliver the highest RevPAN at $86, well ahead of 3-bedroom units at $63 and 2-bedroom listings at $39. Despite their higher nightly rates, 5-bedroom properties drop to $50 in RevPAN—indicating that lower occupancy partially offsets the ADR advantage for the largest units.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Champaign

One-bedroom listings lead occupancy at 31%, followed closely by 3-bedroom units at 30%, while 4-bedroom and 5-bedroom properties lag at 21% and 22% respectively. The relatively narrow spread across the top sizes suggests stable baseline demand, though larger properties depend more heavily on event-driven bookings to fill their calendars.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Champaign

Five-bedroom properties top the monthly revenue chart at $3,180, followed by 3-bedroom listings at $2,907—both meaningfully ahead of 1-bedroom units at $1,191. The jump from 2-bedroom ($1,844) to 3-bedroom revenue is the steepest in the lineup, making the 3-bedroom configuration a strong sweet spot for balancing acquisition cost against earning power.

Average annual revenue by property size in Champaign

Annual revenue ranges from $14,292 for 1-bedroom listings to $38,166 for 5-bedroom properties, with 3-bedroom units earning $34,890—only about $3,000 less than 5-bedroom listings despite likely lower purchase and operating costs. Four-bedroom properties generate $31,781 annually, making the 3- to 4-bedroom range the most compelling tier when weighing total return potential against investment requirements.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Champaign

Parking (93%) and kitchen access (92%) are near-universal in Champaign listings, reflecting guest expectations in a car-dependent college town. Self check-in (86%), washer (81%), and dryer (78%) round out the top five, while workspace availability at 64% suggests a meaningful segment of demand from business or remote-work travelers—an amenity worth including to capture weekday bookings.

Understanding Champaign's ROI Score: 61/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Champaign's ROI Score of 61 out of 100 places it in the "Attractive Opportunity" band, driven primarily by an above-average revenue-to-price ratio and stable occupancy patterns. Market growth trends also rate above average, though the supply/demand balance is a watch point as listings grew 91% year-over-year. Investors should pair these metrics with local regulatory research and property-level underwriting to validate the opportunity for their specific investment thesis.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Champaign

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Champaign. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

The City of Champaign and the State of Illinois may require short-term rental operators to obtain permits or register their properties before listing. Investors should verify current licensing requirements directly with the Champaign city clerk or planning department before operating.

Key Restrictions

Common STR restrictions in markets like Champaign can include occupancy limits, minimum stay requirements, noise ordinances, parking mandates, and potential HOA rules that limit or prohibit short-term rentals. Some municipalities also impose caps on the number of active permits, so confirming availability early in the due-diligence process is advisable.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental operators in Illinois are generally subject to state and local occupancy taxes, as well as applicable sales taxes. Platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit certain taxes on behalf of hosts, but investors should confirm their full tax obligations with a local accountant or the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Champaign can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Champaign's STR market is expected to benefit from steady university-driven demand, particularly during the academic year and major campus events. Seasonal data suggests revenue could remain strong from August through November, with softer winter months bringing averages closer to $1,100–$1,500. ADR growth of 2–4% is plausible given above-average market growth trends, though the rapid 91% year-over-year increase in active listings may put modest downward pressure on occupancy rates if supply continues expanding at that pace."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Champaign, IL

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Champaign?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Champaign is currently 29%, compared to the Illinois state average of 33%. Occupancy varies by property size, with 1-bedroom units achieving the highest rate at 31% and 4-bedroom properties averaging 21%. While the market-wide figure sits slightly below the state benchmark, Champaign's occupancy stability is rated above average, suggesting consistent demand patterns that investors can plan around.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Champaign?

Airbnb hosts in Champaign earn an average of $1,987 per month, which translates to approximately $23,852 per year based on trailing 12-month performance. Revenue varies significantly by property size: 1-bedroom listings average $14,292 annually, while 5-bedroom properties lead at $38,166 per year. Seasonal peaks in August through October can push monthly earnings well above $2,600, while January is typically the softest month at around $1,089.

Is Champaign a good market for Airbnb investment?

Champaign scores 61 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the "Attractive Opportunity" category. The market benefits from an above-average revenue-to-price ratio, above-average occupancy stability, and positive market growth trends. The primary consideration is the supply/demand balance, which is rated below average—partly reflecting the 91% year-over-year growth in active listings. For investors who select the right property type and price their listings competitively, Champaign offers compelling fundamentals, especially given average home values of $366,047.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Champaign?

The average daily rate for Airbnb in Champaign is $177, which is well below the Illinois state average of $319. ADR scales with property size, starting at $84 for 1-bedroom listings and climbing to $405 for 4-bedroom properties. Interestingly, 5-bedroom units average $225—lower than both 3- and 4-bedroom listings—suggesting that the largest properties in this market may compete more on capacity than nightly rate.

Are short-term rentals legal in Champaign?

Short-term rentals are generally permitted in Champaign, IL, though operators may need to comply with local permitting, registration, and zoning requirements. Regulations can change, so investors should contact the City of Champaign directly and review any applicable HOA rules before purchasing or listing a property. Consulting a local real estate attorney familiar with STR regulations is also recommended.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Champaign?

Peak season in Champaign runs from August through November, coinciding with the University of Illinois academic year and fall events. August leads with average monthly revenue of $2,956, followed by September at $2,686 and October at $2,648. The slowest period is January at $1,089, making the spread between peak and off-peak months roughly $1,867—a notable seasonal swing that investors should factor into their cash flow planning.

How many Airbnbs are there in Champaign?

Champaign currently has 148 active Airbnb listings as of April 2026. The supply has grown rapidly, with a 91% year-over-year increase in active listings. One-bedroom units make up the largest share at 56 listings, followed by 3-bedroom properties at 38. Four- and five-bedroom listings remain relatively scarce at 16 and 9 respectively, which may represent an opportunity for investors targeting larger group or family bookings.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Champaign?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Champaign are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market—not a forward-looking projection. Each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) is averaged by month over the past year, regional outliers are removed, and the remaining data is rolled up to a market-level historical average. This approach anchors the figures to what hosts have actually earned recently while naturally reflecting seasonal peaks and slower months, since each month uses its own historical performance. Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, and operational management.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts by market and property size
• Occupancy, ADR, and RevPAN trends across different property configurations
• Monthly and annual revenue metrics based on trailing 12-month booking performance
• Home value data from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for investment analysis
• Amenity prevalence data across active listings to benchmark guest expectations

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Data reflects trailing 12-month averages and may not capture very recent market shifts or regulatory changes. Individual property results will vary based on location, condition, pricing strategy, and management quality.