Santa Ana, CA Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Santa Ana Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Santa Ana's short-term rental market presents an attractive entry point in Orange County, with 433 active Airbnb listings generating an average annual revenue of $36,663. The market's 44% occupancy rate slightly edges out the California state average, while an ADR of $201 sits well below the statewide $551, reflecting the city's more affordable positioning relative to coastal neighbors. With above-average occupancy stability and market growth trends contributing to a 57/100 ROI score, investors looking for Southern California exposure at a lower price point will find this market worth evaluating.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana

Santa Ana offers investors Southern California STR exposure at a significantly lower ADR than coastal markets, paired with stable occupancy and encouraging growth signals.

Expert Market Assessment

"Santa Ana represents a moderate-to-attractive opportunity for STR investors, earning a 57/100 ROI score driven by above-average occupancy stability and growth trends, though tempered by a below-average revenue-to-price ratio given the $1,029,287 average home value. Seasonality is a meaningful factor here: July revenues peak near $4,895 per month while January drops to roughly $2,229, creating a spread that demands thoughtful financial planning. Investors targeting larger properties — especially 3- to 5-bedroom homes — stand to capture the strongest returns, with annual revenues ranging from $56,533 to $88,587 across those configurations."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Santa Ana

Average revenue by month in Santa Ana

Santa Ana's revenue peaks sharply in July at $4,895 per listing and stays elevated through August ($4,196), while January marks the low point at $2,229 — a seasonal spread of over $2,600 that investors should build into cash-flow models. March and June also stand out as above-average months, suggesting shoulder-season demand tied to spring travel and early summer activity.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Santa Ana

One-bedroom listings dominate supply with 193 of the market's 433 active properties, followed by 2-bedrooms at 117. Larger configurations (4- and 5-bedrooms) are significantly underrepresented with just 33 and 13 listings respectively, potentially creating less competitive conditions for investors who target those segments.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Santa Ana

ADR scales steeply with size in Santa Ana: studios and 1-bedrooms cluster around $128–$129, while 4-bedroom properties jump to $431 and 5-bedrooms reach $494 per night. The sharpest rate premium appears between 3-bedroom ($253) and 4-bedroom listings, suggesting that group-sized accommodations command a significant nightly premium.

Average RevPAN by property size in Santa Ana

Revenue per available night climbs steadily with property size, from $52 for 1-bedrooms to $198 for 5-bedroom listings. The most pronounced RevPAN jump occurs between 3-bedrooms ($121) and 4-bedrooms ($180), indicating that larger homes convert their higher ADR into meaningfully better per-night yields even after accounting for occupancy.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Santa Ana

Occupancy rates are remarkably consistent across property sizes, ranging from 40% (1-bedrooms and 5-bedrooms) to 48% (2- and 3-bedrooms). This tight band suggests that demand scales proportionally with supply across configurations, though 2- and 3-bedroom units offer the slight edge needed for more stable night-to-night booking consistency.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Santa Ana

Monthly revenue climbs from $1,793 for 1-bedroom listings to $7,382 for 5-bedrooms, with each additional bedroom adding roughly $1,000–$1,500 in monthly income. The 3-bedroom tier at $4,711 per month represents a practical sweet spot for investors balancing acquisition costs against revenue potential.

Average annual revenue by property size in Santa Ana

Five-bedroom properties lead the market at $88,587 in annual revenue, more than four times the $21,525 earned by 1-bedroom listings. For investors focused on maximizing gross income, 4-bedroom ($73,340) and 5-bedroom configurations offer the strongest annual potential, though acquisition and operating costs for these larger homes should be carefully evaluated.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Santa Ana

Parking tops the amenity list at 97%, reflecting Santa Ana's car-dependent layout, followed by kitchens (91%) and self check-in (87%) — all essentially table-stakes for competing in this market. Differentiating amenities like pools (23%), hot tubs (17%), and pet-friendliness (40%) are less common and may offer a competitive edge for listings that include them.

Understanding Santa Ana's ROI Score: 57/100

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

Santa Ana's ROI score of 57 out of 100 places it in the 'Attractive Opportunity' band, reflecting a market with genuine upside tempered by a below-average revenue-to-price ratio — average homes cost over $1 million while annual revenue averages about $36,663. The score is bolstered by above-average occupancy stability and market growth trends, suggesting the demand side is trending in the right direction. Investors should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and property-level underwriting to validate whether specific deals pencil out.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Santa Ana

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

Permit Requirements

The City of Santa Ana, California may require hosts to obtain a short-term rental permit or business registration before listing a property. Investors should verify current requirements directly with the city's planning or licensing department, as STR regulations in California municipalities can change frequently.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in California cities like Santa Ana can include caps on the number of permitted short-term rentals, minimum stay requirements, maximum occupancy limits, noise ordinances, and designated parking rules. HOA covenants may impose additional restrictions that supersede municipal allowances, so reviewing any applicable CC&Rs is essential before purchasing.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental operators in California are generally subject to transient occupancy taxes (TOT), and Santa Ana may also require collection of local or county-level tourism assessments. Platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit certain taxes on behalf of hosts, but operators should confirm their full tax obligations with local authorities and a tax professional.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, we anticipate Santa Ana's STR demand to remain relatively steady, supported by its above-average market growth trend and stable occupancy fundamentals. Summer months — particularly July and August — will likely continue commanding premium revenues, potentially pushing seasonal peaks 2–4% above trailing figures if broader SoCal tourism holds. Year-round occupancy should settle in the 42–48% range across most property types, with ADR increases of 1–3% plausible given the market's growth trajectory. Investors should factor in the pronounced winter dip (January revenues near $2,229) when modeling cash-flow expectations."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Santa Ana, CA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Santa Ana?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Santa Ana is currently 44%, which is slightly above the California state average of 43%. Occupancy varies by property size, with 2- and 3-bedroom listings performing best at 48%, while 1-bedroom and 5-bedroom properties see lower rates around 40%.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Santa Ana?

On average, Airbnb hosts in Santa Ana earn approximately $3,055 per month or $36,663 per year based on trailing 12-month booking data. Earnings vary significantly by property size — 1-bedroom listings average about $21,525 annually, while 5-bedroom properties can bring in around $88,587 per year. Individual results depend on factors like property quality, pricing strategy, and guest experience.

Is Santa Ana a good market for Airbnb investment?

Santa Ana scores 57 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the 'Attractive Opportunity' tier. The market benefits from above-average occupancy stability and a positive growth trend, though the revenue-to-price ratio is below average due to elevated home values (averaging $1,029,287). Investors targeting larger properties may find the strongest return potential, but should carefully weigh acquisition costs against projected income.

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

The average daily rate for Airbnb listings in Santa Ana is $201, which is significantly lower than the California state average of $551. ADR scales with property size: studios and 1-bedrooms average $128–$129 per night, while 4- and 5-bedroom properties command $431–$494 per night.

Are short-term rentals legal in Santa Ana?

Short-term rentals may be subject to permitting, registration, and other regulatory requirements in Santa Ana, CA. Regulations can include occupancy limits, minimum stay requirements, noise ordinances, and tax obligations. We recommend checking directly with the City of Santa Ana's planning or licensing department for the most current rules before listing a property.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Santa Ana?

Peak season in Santa Ana runs through the summer months, with July being the highest-earning month at an average of $4,895 per listing. August follows closely at $4,196, and June rounds out the summer peak at $3,617. The slowest months are January ($2,229) and February ($2,348), so investors should plan for a roughly 2x revenue swing between peak and off-peak periods.

How many Airbnbs are there in Santa Ana?

As of April 2026, there are 433 active Airbnb listings in Santa Ana. The market is dominated by 1-bedroom properties (193 listings), followed by 2-bedrooms (117) and 3-bedrooms (63). Larger properties with 4 or 5 bedrooms are less common, with just 33 and 13 listings respectively, which may signal less competition in those segments.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Santa Ana?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Santa Ana are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — they are not forward-looking projections. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, remove regional outliers, and aggregate the results into 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 draws on its own historical data. 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, occupancy rates, and daily rates for the Santa Ana market
• Revenue and yield metrics including RevPAN, monthly revenue, and annual revenue based on trailing 12-month booking data
• Property size breakdowns showing how performance varies across studio through 5-bedroom configurations
• Amenity prevalence data showing how common features are distributed across active listings
• Home value benchmarks sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for investment cost context

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 current snapshots; market conditions, regulations, and property-level factors can cause individual results to vary significantly. Local short-term rental regulations may change; investors should verify current rules with municipal authorities before purchasing.