Hosts in the US earned $22 billion in supplemental income last year

Key Takeaways

  • The typical Host in the US earned approximately $14,000 in supplemental income in 2022.
  • 62% of US Hosts said they plan to use the money they earn on Airbnb to cover the heightened cost of living over the next 12 months.
Samanta, a Host, holds an armful of chopped wood and is headed into her Airbnb.

Key Takeaways

  • The typical Host in the US earned approximately $14,000 in supplemental income in 2022.
  • 62% of US Hosts said they plan to use the money they earn on Airbnb to cover the heightened cost of living over the next 12 months.

Airbnb got its start over a decade ago when our co-founders were looking for a way to pay their rent. They opened up their home to attendees of a conference in San Francisco, and the concept of Airbnb was born. Today, Hosts on Airbnb continue to rely on the extra money they earn from sharing their home to pay their mortgage, save for their kids’ college education, or to build a nest egg for retirement. 

New data shows supplemental income from home sharing is more important than ever as people continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, navigate economic uncertainty, and cover the rising cost of living.

Regular people, real money

With the livelihoods of so many impacted by the continued economic uncertainty, hosting on Airbnb continues to help people stay afloat. Hosting on Airbnb offers a flexible and accessible form of income, creating a way for people to pay essential expenses in uncertain times and beyond. 

In 2022 alone, Hosts in the US collectively earned approximately $22 billion by opening up their home to travelers, with the typical Host earning more than $14,000 over the year1. For many, the supplemental income is key to making ends meet. Hosts use the money they earn from sharing their space on Airbnb to help cover a variety of needs and expenses according to a recent survey: 

  • 62%  said they plan to use the money they earn on Airbnb to cover the heightened cost of living over the next 12 months2
  • 44% used the money earned through hosting on Airbnb to cover needs such as food and other costs that have become more expensive than they used to be 
  • 42% said money earned by hosting on Airbnb helped them stay in their home
  • More than 10% said money helped them avoid eviction or foreclosure

Hosts in the US are from every walk of life – retirees, teachers, parents, and artists — who have turned their home into a supplemental source of income. 

  • 60% of Hosts identify as female
  • More than one third  live with their children 
  • 39% are small/independent business owners, or live with one
  • 15% are healthcare or social workers
  • 13% of employed Hosts are teachers
  • 11% are artists or musicians

An easier way to host on Airbnb

By opening their home to travelers, Hosts on Airbnb are proud community ambassadors who help support local small businesses and the city’s tourism economy. The majority of Hosts — more than 75 percent — share just one home3. With the recent introduction of Airbnb Setup, the all-new, super easy way to Airbnb a home, those interested in becoming a Host can access:

  • One-to-one guidance from a Superhost
  • The opportunity to have an experienced guest for your first booking
  • Specialized support from Airbnb Community Support agents in over 42 languages. 

Visit airbnb.com/host to learn more.

1 The typical Host earnings amount represents the median amount of earnings for US Hosts in 2022.

2 According to an ongoing survey of US-based Airbnb Hosts launched on July 7, 2022.

3 According to internal data from January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022.