Is College Station, Texas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in College Station, Texas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the City of College Station Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental permits and compliance with specific zoning districts that allow such operations. Contact the City Secretary's office to obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit, which typically costs around $200-300 annually and requires property inspection, liability insurance proof, and adherence to occupancy limits. Find a suitable property in areas zoned for short-term rentals, focusing on neighborhoods near Texas A&M University where demand is highest, with properties ranging from $200,000-500,000 depending on size and location. Furnish the property with durable, student-friendly furniture including comfortable beds, study areas, high-speed internet, and kitchen essentials, budgeting approximately $15,000-25,000 for a complete setup. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to campus, game day accommodations, and local attractions, setting competitive rates of $80-200 per night depending on events and seasons. Implement a management system using tools like automated messaging, keyless entry systems, and either self-manage or hire local property management companies like Aggie Property Management or BCS Rentals who charge 15-25% of revenue, while maintaining compliance with city noise ordinances, parking requirements, and regular safety inspections to ensure continued permit validity.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in College Station, Texas, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Texas A&M University campus, particularly near Northgate entertainment district, George Bush Presidential Library, and major event venues like Kyle Field. Target 3-4 bedroom properties built after 2000 with modern amenities, parking for 4+ vehicles, outdoor spaces, and game day accommodations since football weekends generate premium rates of $400-800 per night compared to typical $80-150 rates. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to track seasonal demand patterns, with peak periods during football season (September-November), graduation (May), and university events, while avoiding oversaturated student housing areas. Research competition by monitoring existing STR listings within 1-mile radius, identifying gaps in luxury or family-friendly accommodations, and studying occupancy rates through tools like AllTheRooms and Transparent. Utilize College Station-specific resources including the city's STR permit requirements, Texas A&M event calendars for demand forecasting, local property management companies like Aggie Host and BCS Stays for market insights, and partner with Texas A&M-focused marketing channels to capture the university's 70,000+ student body and visiting families market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in College Station, Texas, you must first contact the City of College Station Planning and Development Services Department at 1101 Texas Avenue or call (979) 764-3570 to begin the application process. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, a site plan showing parking arrangements, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and payment of applicable fees. The permit fee is approximately $200-300 annually, with additional inspection fees of around $100-150. You must also comply with College Station's specific requirements including maintaining adequate off-street parking (typically 2 spaces), ensuring the property meets all building and fire codes, limiting occupancy to no more than 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, and registering with the state for hotel occupancy tax collection. The timeline for approval is generally 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application, pending inspections and any required corrections. Properties must be located in areas zoned for short-term rentals, and some residential neighborhoods may have additional restrictions, so verify zoning compliance before applying through the Planning Department.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in College Station, Texas, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. College Station requires STR operators to obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit and comply with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. The city prohibits STRs in certain residential zoning districts, particularly single-family neighborhoods, while allowing them in multi-family and commercial zones. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exit information. Recent changes around 2019-2020 included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced permit requirements following complaints from residents about noise and parking issues. The city also requires a responsible party to be available 24/7 for any issues and mandates that STRs cannot exceed the property's maximum occupancy as determined by square footage. Violations can result in fines and permit revocation, with the city actively monitoring compliance through complaint-driven enforcement.

The best Airbnb investment areas in College Station, Texas center around Texas A&M University and its surrounding neighborhoods. The Southgate district offers prime proximity to campus with consistent demand from visiting families, prospective students, and football game attendees, particularly during the fall season when Kyle Field hosts over 100,000 fans. The Historic Downtown area provides charm and walkability while capturing business travelers visiting companies like Phillips 66 and academic conferences year-round. Wolf Pen Creek District combines recreational amenities with easy campus access, attracting visitors to the amphitheater events and families exploring the park system. The George Bush Presidential Library area draws tourists and researchers throughout the year, creating steady occupancy beyond the typical college town seasonality. Northgate, the traditional student entertainment district, offers opportunities for group bookings during major university events like graduation, parents' weekends, and the massive spring football game, though investors should consider the party atmosphere's impact on property management and neighbor relations.

In College Station, Texas, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Texas state hotel occupancy tax is 6% of the room rate, while Brazos County imposes an additional 7% hotel occupancy tax, bringing the total to 13% on short-term rental stays. The City of College Station also levies a 7% hotel occupancy tax on accommodations rented for less than 30 consecutive days. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts. However, hosts should verify their registration status with local tax authorities and may need to obtain a hotel occupancy tax permit from the City of College Station. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging. Hosts are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable tax requirements and should remit taxes monthly or quarterly depending on local regulations if not using Airbnb's collection service.

Starting an Airbnb in College Station, Texas requires approximately $280,000-$320,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $220,000-$250,000 based on median home prices in the area, while furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but generally total $500-$1,500 including business licenses and short-term rental permits required by the city. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable typically cost $500-$800 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($200-$300/month), cleaning services ($75-$100 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200-$400/month), property management software ($50-$100/month), and marketing expenses total approximately $4,000-$7,000, bringing the complete startup investment to roughly $280,000-$320,000 depending on property size and quality level chosen.

Airbnb properties in College Station, Texas show strong profitability potential due to the presence of Texas A&M University, with average daily rates ranging from $80-150 depending on proximity to campus and property size. Properties within 2-3 miles of the university typically generate $2,500-4,500 monthly revenue during peak academic periods (September-November and February-April), while summer months see reduced demand at $1,500-2,500 monthly. Operating expenses including mortgage, utilities, cleaning fees, property management, and maintenance average $1,800-2,800 monthly, resulting in net profit margins of 15-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include targeting football game weekends when rates can surge to $300-500 per night, maintaining properties near campus or historic downtown, and offering amenities appealing to visiting families and university guests. A typical 3-bedroom house purchased for $250,000 in the Southwood Valley area generates approximately $40,000 annual revenue with $28,000 in expenses, yielding $12,000 annual profit or roughly 20% return on investment. Properties closer to Kyle Field command premium rates during football season, with some hosts reporting 40-50% profit margins during these peak periods, though success heavily depends on effective marketing, consistent maintenance, and understanding the seasonal academic calendar that drives demand patterns.

Airbnb investments in College Station, Texas typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to consistent demand from Texas A&M University students, parents, and football game visitors. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near campus commanding premium rates of $120-180 per night during peak periods like graduation, football season, and move-in weeks. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with break-even occurring around month 14-20 depending on initial investment and property management efficiency. The market benefits from year-round occupancy rates of 65-75%, with seasonal spikes reaching 85-90% during university events, making College Station a relatively stable short-term rental market compared to other Texas college towns.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in College Station, Texas. Local real estate agents like Keller Williams Brazos Valley and Coldwell Banker United Realtors have agents experienced in investment properties and Airbnb markets in the College Station area. RE/MAX Bryan-College Station also provides services for investors seeking rental properties near Texas A&M University. National services include Mashvisor, which offers market analysis and property recommendations, and BiggerPockets, which connects investors with local professionals. AirDNA provides short-term rental market data and analytics for the College Station market. Local property management companies like Aggie Property Management and BCS Property Solutions offer turnkey Airbnb management services. RedAwning and Vacasa provide national short-term rental management with local College Station operations. Investment-focused brokerages like eXp Realty and Century 21 Beal have agents specializing in rental property acquisitions in the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area.