Optimizing Airbnb Rental Prices: A Machine Learning Approach Using Listing Attributes, Review Ratings and Amenities

Shahbaz, Muhammad Wasit (2025) Optimizing Airbnb Rental Prices: A Machine Learning Approach Using Listing Attributes, Review Ratings and Amenities. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This study demonstrates how Airbnb listing price can be optimized with machine learning approach by using listing features like review scores, generic features (bed, bedroom, accommodates) and amenities. To conduct the study various datasets from major cities have been used (Amsterdam, Berlin, Athens, and Los Angeles). Including advance ensemble models like LightGBM, XGBoost, and CatBoost, seven various models are applied on the dataset. Out of these models LightGBM performed the best with an R2 score of 0.782. The research not only predicts the price but also demonstrates the labelling of the lists as underpriced, overpriced and fairly priced, which provides an insight to optimize the price of the listings. Through feature importance and SHAP analysis, it was revealed that factors such as the number of bedrooms and number of bathrooms, review scores of listings, and amenities like the availability of a dishwasher or an elevator can also significantly influence pricing. This study offers the practical tools needed for hosts to improve revenue while also ensuring fairness. Limitations include the lack of seasonal dynamics and textual reviews. This project contributes a scalable data driven pricing model to enhance and improve the decision making in the peer-to-peer rental market.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Basilio, Jorge UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > Hospitality Industry Q Science > Q Science (General) > Self-organizing systems. Conscious automata > Machine learning G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography > Human settlements > Housing > Rental housing
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Data Analytics
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	03 Jul 2026 10:54
Last Modified:	03 Jul 2026 10:54
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9461

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