The 10 cities with the most Airbnbs

In recent years, Airbnb has grown to become one of the most popular websites for holiday homes and other short-term rentals. It allows property owners to gain income from their accommodation, and it provides travellers with a wide range of rental choices. 

everviz is a multiplatform visualization solution that lets you create interactive charts and maps online for publishing on your website, social media or through your cloud-based newsroom system. It only takes a minute to create your first visualization. Publish where you meet your audience. Why not try it yourself? It only takes a minute to create your first chart.

Airbnb operates in 191 different countries all around the world. There are over 6 million listings on the platform, spread across more than 100,000 cities worldwide. 

In this article, we will explore some of the data behind those cities that have the most Airbnbs. 


London tops the chart with over 71,000 Airbnbs, easily beating Paris which has 55,000 listings.  US cities (New York and Los Angeles) take third and fourth place, with Istanbul coming in fifth.  

The rest of the top ten consists of European and Latin American cities as illustrated in the following table.


We decided to explore the data in a little more detail to see how it compares across some of these different cities.


#1: London, United Kingdom

London is one of the most visited cities in the world, receiving over 20 million international visitors a year and even more domestic travelers.  It is no surprise that it houses a large number of Airbnbs, currently the most in any city at 71,000. 

The site offers a wide range of listings in London from individual rooms in shared apartments to luxurious penthouses and townhouses. The city offers history, culture, events and a wide range of attractions for all the family.  It also offers great transport links to the rest of the UK, making it a very popular destination for tourists. 

The majority of Airbnbs in London allow short terms lets, with the minimal rental period generally being just a few days. The most common accommodation type is for an entire house or apartment, but there are also a large number of private rooms available. 



Airbnb listings are spread throughout various neighborhoods in London, with 7,790 in Westminster alone.  This is an ideal central location for visiting historic and cultural sites such as Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London.  

Airbnb also offers properties to suit different budgets:  the most expensive borough being Kensington and Chelsea (with an average nightly rental of over £300) to the cheaper boroughs such as Bexley, Sutton where you can find accommodation for under £100 per night.


#2: Paris, France

Paris is often referred to as the city of love and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With over 55,000 properties, Paris is the city with the second highest number of Airbnb listings. 

Over 6,000 of these Airbnbs are located around the district of Montmartre, the area famous for its rich artistic history, the Moulin Rouge cabaret and the Sacré Coeur basilica.

Compared to London, Paris has a significantly higher proportion of accommodation designated for long term let only.  This is thought to be due to local laws requiring licenses for certain short term lets.




#3: New York City, United States

New York City is one of the most iconic cities in the world and is known for its vibrant culture and bustling streets. With over 41,000 Airbnb listings, New York City takes third place on this list. 

Accommodation options are spread throughout the city, including many in well-known neighborhoods such as Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.  Whether you are seeking a room with easy access to the city’s bustling nightlife or you prefer a more peaceful location, you are sure to find an Airbnb that meets your needs in New York City! 


#4: Los Angeles, United States

For fourth place, we need to cross the USA to the west coast where we will find the stunning beaches and vibrant city of Los Angeles.  There are over 40,000 Airbnbs spread across this metropolis, from the famous streets of Hollywood to the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica.  

With the third and fourth cities both being in the USA and with a similar number of listings, we might expect similarities in the distribution of Airbnb property types.   

However, the data shows that New York has a higher proportion of private rooms for rent compared to Los Angeles where most properties are entire homes or apartments. Despite this difference, both cities offer a significant number of properties for long term let only.





#5: Istanbul, Turkey

The final city to make the top five is Istanbul in Turkey with over 36,000 Airbnb listings. This city has a rich cultural heritage and offers numerous historical landmarks, beautiful mosques, and bustling markets to explore. Some listings offer stunning views of the Bosphorus, while others are located in the heart of the city and provide easy access to restaurants, cafes, and shops. 




Summary

With all so many properties and locations on offer, it can be hard to decide where to go next.  One factor that might sway your decision is the price.  We checked the average Airbnb listing price for the top ten cities to see how they compare: 


The average price ranges from just $82 per night in Buenos Aires, Argentina to a whopping $279 per night in Los Angeles.  

However, wherever you decide to visit, there is bound to be an Airbnb that suits your needs and budget.  If you are struggling for ideas you can always search for the type of accommodation that appeals most to you. 

Happy explorations, whether you are going on an Airbnb trip or exploring these everviz interactive charts from the comfort of your home!


Questions or ideas? Get in touch!

Would love to hear your thoughts, please get in touch!

everviz is a multiplatform visualization solution that lets you create interactive charts and maps online for publishing on your website, social media or through your cloud-based newsroom system.

It only takes a minute to create your first visualization.

Publish where you meet your audience.