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

Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Santa Monica's coastal allure and year-round visitor appeal make it one of Southern California's most recognizable short-term rental markets, though premium property prices create a demanding entry point. With 426 active Airbnb listings averaging $253 per night and a 47% occupancy rate that outpaces the California state average of 43%, the market delivers consistent guest demand. However, an average home value of $3,641,016 against annual revenue of roughly $46,486 means investors need to be highly selective to make the numbers work.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Santa Monica 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 Monica

Investors are drawn to Santa Monica for its strong brand recognition, above-average occupancy relative to the state, and consistent coastal tourism demand, though the high cost of entry requires careful deal selection.

Expert Market Assessment

"Santa Monica presents a competitive opportunity where demand fundamentals are solid but the revenue-to-price ratio sits below average, meaning not every deal will pencil out. Seasonality follows a clear summer pattern—revenue climbs from roughly $3,000 in January to a $5,250 peak in July before tapering back through fall and winter. The market rewards investors who target larger units: 2- and 3-bedroom properties generate $66,164 and $92,550 in annual revenue respectively, substantially outperforming the market-wide average. Success here hinges on disciplined acquisition pricing and operational efficiency to offset the premium cost of coastal California real estate."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Santa Monica

Average revenue by month in Santa Monica

Revenue in Santa Monica follows a pronounced summer peak, with July ($5,250) and August ($5,048) delivering roughly 65–75% more than the January low of $3,000. The shoulder months of March ($4,092) and April ($3,680) also show moderate strength, suggesting spring break and early-season travel provide a secondary demand boost beyond the core summer window.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Santa Monica

One-bedroom units dominate Santa Monica's STR supply at 233 listings (roughly 55% of the market), followed by 2-bedrooms at 116 and studios at 59. With only 13 three-bedroom listings in the entire market, investors who can secure larger properties may find less direct competition in a segment that generates the highest per-unit revenue.

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

ADR scales sharply with size in Santa Monica—jumping from $191 for studios to $337 for 2-bedrooms and $444 for 3-bedrooms, representing a 132% premium from the smallest to the largest category. The most pronounced step-up occurs between 1-bedroom ($202) and 2-bedroom ($337) properties, where an additional bedroom commands a 67% rate increase.

Average RevPAN by property size in Santa Monica

Revenue per available night climbs steadily from $87 for studios to $211 for 3-bedroom properties, confirming that larger units don't just charge more—they also convert that pricing into meaningfully better nightly yield. The 3-bedroom RevPAN of $211 is nearly 2.4 times the studio figure, making larger properties the clear revenue-efficiency leaders in this market.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Santa Monica

Occupancy rates are remarkably consistent across property sizes in Santa Monica, ranging from 45% for studios to 48% for 3-bedrooms. This narrow spread indicates that demand is not concentrated in any single unit type, giving investors confidence that occupancy won't be a significant differentiator—revenue differences are driven almost entirely by rate rather than fill rate.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Santa Monica

Monthly revenue diverges significantly by size: 3-bedroom properties lead at $7,712/month, more than double the $3,116 earned by 1-bedrooms and 2.6 times the $2,922 studio figure. Two-bedroom properties hit a solid middle ground at $5,513/month, offering a meaningful revenue step-up that may balance better against acquisition costs than the scarce 3-bedroom segment.

Average annual revenue by property size in Santa Monica

Annual revenue ranges from $35,073 for studios to $92,550 for 3-bedroom properties, with 2-bedrooms generating $66,164—a strong option for investors seeking higher revenue without competing for the extremely limited 3-bedroom inventory. Given Santa Monica's elevated home prices, investors should model acquisition costs carefully against these revenue tiers to identify which configuration delivers the best return on investment.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Santa Monica

Parking (93%) and kitchen access (89%) are near-universal guest expectations in Santa Monica, reflecting a market where guests anticipate self-sufficient, home-like stays in a car-dependent metro. The strong prevalence of workspace amenities (67%) and self check-in (66%) signals a meaningful segment of remote workers and business travelers, while beach access at 25% and pet-friendliness at 32% represent potential differentiators for listings that can offer them.

Understanding Santa Monica's ROI Score: 45/100

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 Monica's ROI Score of 45 out of 100 places it in the 'Competitive Opportunity' band, reflecting a market where demand fundamentals are strong but the economics require careful deal selection. Occupancy stability scores above average—a genuine strength—but the revenue-to-price ratio falls below average due to home values exceeding $3.6 million, which compresses potential yields. Investors should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and conservative underwriting to identify properties where the coastal premium doesn't erode returns.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Santa Monica

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

Permit Requirements

The City of Santa Monica, California, has historically required hosts to obtain a business license and register their short-term rental with the city before listing on platforms like Airbnb. Investors should verify current permit and registration requirements directly with the City of Santa Monica's planning department, as rules in this market have been among the most actively enforced in the state.

Key Restrictions

Santa Monica is known for relatively strict STR regulations that may include limits on which property types qualify, primary-residence requirements, caps on the number of rental days per year, and prohibitions on whole-home rentals in certain zones. Additional restrictions can involve noise ordinances, maximum occupancy limits, parking provisions, and HOA covenants that further constrain hosting activity.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental hosts in Santa Monica are generally subject to transient occupancy taxes, and California also imposes state-level tourism and sales tax obligations on lodging. Platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit some of these taxes automatically, but investors should confirm their full tax responsibilities with a local tax professional.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Santa Monica's STR market is expected to maintain steady demand driven by summer tourism, with July and August likely continuing to deliver monthly revenues in the $5,000–$5,250 range. Occupancy stability scores above average for this market, suggesting booking volumes should hold around 45–48% across property sizes. ADR growth may be modest—perhaps 1–3%—given the already competitive landscape, but the market's beach proximity and year-round mild climate provide a natural demand floor that limits downside risk during off-peak months."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Santa Monica, CA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Santa Monica?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Santa Monica is currently 47%, which sits above the California state average of 43%. Occupancy is fairly consistent across property sizes, ranging from 45% for studios to 48% for 3-bedroom listings. This above-average occupancy stability suggests reliable guest demand throughout the year, though individual results will vary depending on pricing strategy, location within Santa Monica, and listing quality.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Santa Monica?

Airbnb hosts in Santa Monica earn an average of $3,873 per month, which translates to approximately $46,486 per year based on trailing 12-month booking data. Earnings vary significantly by property size: studios average about $2,922/month ($35,073/year), while 3-bedroom properties bring in roughly $7,712/month ($92,550/year). Revenue peaks during summer months, with July averaging $5,250 and August around $5,048, while January tends to be the slowest month at roughly $3,000.

Is Santa Monica a good market for Airbnb investment?

Santa Monica scores a 45 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, categorized as a 'Competitive Opportunity.' The market benefits from above-average occupancy stability and steady tourism demand, but its below-average revenue-to-price ratio—driven by average home values exceeding $3.6 million—means investors need to be highly selective in deal sourcing. Larger properties (2–3 bedrooms) offer substantially better revenue potential. Investors who find the right property at the right price can benefit from Santa Monica's strong brand recognition and year-round coastal demand, but this is not a market where every acquisition will deliver strong cash-on-cash returns.

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

The average daily rate for Airbnb listings in Santa Monica is $253, which is actually below the California state average of $551. ADR scales meaningfully with property size: studios average $191/night, 1-bedrooms come in at $202/night, 2-bedrooms jump to $337/night, and 3-bedroom properties command $444/night. This pricing structure reflects Santa Monica's mix of compact urban units alongside larger homes that can charge a significant premium.

Are short-term rentals legal in Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has been one of the more heavily regulated STR markets in California. The city has historically imposed strict requirements on short-term rentals, including permit and registration obligations, potential primary-residence requirements, and limits on the types of properties eligible for STR use. Regulations can change, so investors should consult the City of Santa Monica's planning and housing departments directly to understand current rules before purchasing a property for short-term rental purposes.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Santa Monica?

Peak season for Airbnb in Santa Monica runs from June through August, with July being the strongest month at an average revenue of $5,250 per listing. August follows closely at $5,048, and June comes in at $4,409. The slowest months are January ($3,000) and February ($3,336). This summer-weighted seasonality is consistent with Santa Monica's appeal as a beach destination, though the market maintains meaningful off-season activity thanks to its urban amenities and mild year-round climate.

How many Airbnbs are there in Santa Monica?

There are currently 426 active Airbnb listings in Santa Monica as of April 2026. The supply is dominated by 1-bedroom properties (233 listings, or about 55% of total inventory), followed by 2-bedrooms (116 listings) and studios (59 listings). Only 13 listings are 3-bedroom properties, which is notable given that 3-bedrooms generate the highest revenue—suggesting potential opportunity in an underserved segment if regulations and acquisition costs allow.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Santa Monica?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Santa Monica are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market—not a forward-looking projection. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, remove regional outliers, and roll the results up to a market-level historical average. This approach anchors the figures to what hosts have actually earned recently rather than to forecasts, while naturally reflecting seasonal peaks and slower months because each month uses its own historical performance 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 Santa Monica and comparable markets
• Revenue per available night (RevPAN) and monthly/annual revenue averages based on trailing 12-month booking performance
• Property size breakdowns showing how listing configurations affect pricing, occupancy, and revenue
• Amenity prevalence data showing the most common features across active listings in this market
• Home value estimates sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) to contextualize revenue-to-price dynamics

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. Local regulations in Santa Monica may significantly impact the ability to operate a short-term rental; always verify current rules before investing. Individual property results will vary based on location, condition, pricing strategy, and management quality.