Is Cushing, Oklahoma Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Cushing, Oklahoma, begin by researching local regulations through the Cushing City Hall at 216 W Main Street, as Oklahoma generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific zoning requirements and occupancy limits. Contact the Payne County Planning Department to verify zoning compliance for your intended property location, and obtain necessary permits including a business license from the city clerk's office, which typically costs around $25-50 annually. Find a suitable property by searching residential areas near downtown Cushing or close to major employers like oil refineries, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate 4-6 guests, with purchase prices ranging from $60,000-120,000 for typical homes. Furnish the property with essential items including quality mattresses, linens, towels, kitchen appliances, dining sets, living room furniture, WiFi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, budgeting approximately $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photos highlighting the proximity to Cushing's oil industry facilities and Stillwater (20 miles away), setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges through lockboxes or smart locks, maintaining the property regularly, and consider hiring local cleaning services like those found through Cushing area Facebook groups, while keeping detailed records for tax purposes and potentially earning $1,500-3,000 monthly depending on occupancy rates.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Cushing, Oklahoma, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of major oil industry facilities and the Cushing Oil Hub, as this drives consistent business traveler demand. Target 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1990 with dedicated parking, reliable internet, and basic amenities that appeal to oil workers and contractors who typically stay 1-4 weeks. Analyze pricing by researching comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO, aiming for $80-120 per night to remain competitive while achieving 60-70% occupancy rates. Competition research should include monitoring existing STRs within a 5-mile radius, noting their amenities, pricing, and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Essential tools include AirDNA for market analysis and revenue projections, STR Helper for competitive intelligence, Mashvisor for property investment analysis, and local resources like the Cushing Chamber of Commerce for economic development insights and the Payne County Assessor's office for property values. Additionally, monitor oil price trends and drilling activity reports from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, as these directly impact demand from energy sector workers who comprise the primary guest demographic in this market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Cushing, Oklahoma, contact the Cushing City Hall at 215 N. Harrison Street or call (918) 225-1400 to inquire about short-term rental licensing requirements, as the city likely requires a business license and may have specific STR regulations. You'll typically need to submit a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with liability coverage of at least $1 million, floor plan of the rental property, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not local. The application fee is estimated at $50-100 annually, with possible additional inspection fees of $25-50. Submit your application to the City Clerk's office along with required documents and payment, then schedule a property inspection with the building department to ensure compliance with fire safety, occupancy limits, and zoning requirements. The approval timeline is typically 2-4 weeks after a successful inspection. Cushing may require STR properties to maintain adequate parking, post maximum occupancy limits, provide 24-hour contact information to neighbors, and comply with noise ordinances, while some residential zones may prohibit short-term rentals entirely, so verify zoning compliance before applying.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Cushing, Oklahoma, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rentals or short-term accommodations. However, STR operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements, zoning regulations that may restrict commercial activities in residential areas, and state tax obligations including sales tax collection. The city follows Oklahoma state regulations regarding transient accommodations, and property owners should ensure their rentals meet building codes and safety standards. While there are no recent major legal changes specifically targeting STRs in Cushing as of 2023-2024, operators should verify current zoning compliance in their specific neighborhoods, as residential zones may have restrictions on commercial activities, and obtain proper business licenses from the city before operating short-term rental properties.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Cushing, Oklahoma are downtown Cushing near the historic district and Main Street corridor, which attracts visitors interested in the town's oil boom history and antique shopping; the residential neighborhoods within walking distance of the Cushing Job Corps Center which generates consistent demand from visiting families and staff; areas near the Cushing Industrial Park and oil facilities including tank farms, as the city serves as a major crude oil hub attracting business travelers from energy companies like Plains All American Pipeline, Enbridge, and ConocoPhillips who need short-term accommodations; neighborhoods close to Highway 33 and Highway 18 intersections for easy access to Stillwater (20 miles) and Oklahoma State University events which drive weekend traffic; and properties near the Cushing Municipal Airport area which serves corporate aviation needs for the energy sector, with peak demand typically occurring during oil industry conferences and the annual Cushing Oil and Gas Summit held since 2008.

In Cushing, Oklahoma, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Oklahoma state lodging tax is 5.5% on gross rental receipts, while Cushing imposes a local hotel/motel tax of 5% on short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the Oklahoma Tax Commission for state taxes and to the City of Cushing for local taxes on a monthly basis. Hosts must register with both the state and city tax authorities, obtain proper permits, and file returns even when Airbnb collects taxes automatically. Exemptions typically include stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and accommodations used for permanent residency purposes. The combined effective tax rate for short-term Airbnb rentals in Cushing is approximately 10.5%, and hosts should maintain detailed records of all rental income and tax collections for compliance purposes.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Cushing, Oklahoma is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property runs $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration cost $500-$1,000. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run $1,500-$2,500 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($150/month), maintenance ($200/month), platform fees ($300/month), and marketing ($100/month) total approximately $8,100. Additional working capital of $5,000-$10,000 is recommended for unexpected expenses and initial vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Cushing, Oklahoma show moderate profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating monthly revenues of $1,200-2,100 assuming 60-70% occupancy rates driven by oil industry workers and travelers along I-35. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% if outsourced), insurance ($100-150 monthly), and maintenance costs averaging $200-300 monthly. Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% after expenses, with properties near the oil tank farms and industrial facilities commanding premium rates of $90-110 nightly due to corporate bookings from Phillips 66, Magellan Midstream Partners, and other energy companies operating in the area. Success factors include proximity to industrial sites, reliable internet for remote workers, and flexible check-in options for shift workers, with properties within 5 miles of major oil storage facilities achieving 75-80% occupancy compared to 50-60% for residential-area listings. A typical 3-bedroom property purchased for $80,000-120,000 can generate annual net profits of $8,000-15,000, representing ROI of 8-15% before mortgage considerations, though market volatility tied to oil prices creates seasonal fluctuations in demand.

Airbnb investments in Cushing, Oklahoma typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, primarily driven by the city's proximity to oil industry operations and the Cushing Oil Hub which attracts business travelers and temporary workers. Properties in Cushing generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $75-$120 and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. The market benefits from consistent demand from Phillips 66, Magellan Midstream Partners, and other energy companies operating in the area, though investors should expect seasonal fluctuations with stronger performance during peak oil industry activity periods from 2019-2024, making break-even typically achievable by month 20-26 depending on initial investment and property management efficiency.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Cushing, Oklahoma by providing market analytics and property recommendations. Local real estate agents in the Cushing area who specialize in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Select and Century 21 agents who understand the oil industry worker housing demand that drives the local Airbnb market. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and BiggerPockets offer market analysis tools specifically for short-term rental investments in smaller Oklahoma markets like Cushing. RedAwning and Awning provide property management and optimization services for Airbnb investors, while companies like Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature turnkey rental properties in Oklahoma markets. Local property management companies such as Payne County Property Management and regional firms like Oklahoma Property Solutions can assist with day-to-day Airbnb operations, and mortgage brokers specializing in investment properties like First United Bank and Arvest Bank serve the Cushing market with financing options for short-term rental investments.