Is Durant, Oklahoma Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Durant, Oklahoma, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Durant City Planning Department, as Oklahoma generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific requirements including business licenses, occupancy permits, and tax registration with the Oklahoma Tax Commission for collecting state and local lodging taxes (currently around 5.5% state plus local rates). Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Durant City Hall, ensure your property meets fire safety codes and ADA compliance if applicable, and register for sales tax collection. Find a suitable property in Durant's downtown area near Southeastern Oklahoma State University or near Lake Texoma for higher demand, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate families and university visitors. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local amenities information, budgeting approximately $3,000-$8,000 for initial furnishing depending on property size. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting Durant's proximity to the university and lake activities, setting competitive rates based on local market research (typically $60-$120 per night depending on size and location). Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, maintaining the space regularly, keeping detailed financial records for tax purposes, and considering hiring a local property management company if you live outside Durant, while staying updated on any changes to city ordinances regarding short-term rentals.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Durant, Oklahoma, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Southeastern Oklahoma State University for consistent student and visitor demand, properties near Lake Texoma (15 minutes south) for weekend and vacation rentals, and homes close to the Choctaw Casino Resort for gaming tourists. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, reliable WiFi, parking, and outdoor spaces like patios or decks that appeal to lake-goers and families. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against the 15-25 existing STR properties in Durant, aiming for $80-150 nightly rates depending on size and location, with higher premiums during university events and summer lake season. Research competition by studying occupancy rates of properties near SOSU campus, lakefront rentals, and casino-adjacent listings, noting that most successful properties offer unique amenities like boat parking, game rooms, or proximity to outdoor activities. Utilize tools like Rabbu for local market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and connect with Durant Chamber of Commerce and local real estate agents familiar with Bryan County's tourism patterns, while monitoring seasonal demand spikes during SOSU football games, graduation weekends, and peak lake season from May through September.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Durant, Oklahoma, contact the Durant City Planning Department at City Hall located at 300 West Evergreen Street or call (580) 924-1234 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a site plan showing parking arrangements, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), a floor plan of the rental unit, and pay the required fees which typically range from $100-300 annually plus a $50 application fee. The city requires compliance with zoning regulations (most residential zones allow STRs with proper permits), adherence to occupancy limits based on bedrooms and square footage, provision of adequate off-street parking (usually 1-2 spaces), and maintenance of a local contact person available 24/7 for issues. The approval timeline is generally 30-45 days from submission of a complete application, and you must also register with the Oklahoma Tax Commission for state lodging taxes and obtain a city business license. Properties must meet all building and fire safety codes, and some neighborhoods may have additional HOA restrictions that need verification before approval.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Durant, Oklahoma, as the city has not implemented a comprehensive ban on such properties. However, Durant operates under basic zoning regulations that may restrict STRs in certain residential areas, particularly single-family neighborhoods where commercial activities could be prohibited. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with standard safety codes, fire regulations, and occupancy limits. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny from the Durant City Council regarding noise complaints and neighborhood impacts, leading to discussions about potential registration requirements and stricter enforcement of existing zoning laws. Property owners must ensure compliance with state tax obligations and local ordinances, though Durant has not enacted the detailed STR-specific regulations seen in larger Oklahoma cities like Oklahoma City or Tulsa. The legal landscape remains relatively permissive compared to other municipalities, but operators should verify current zoning compliance and maintain proper licensing to avoid potential violations.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Durant, Oklahoma include the downtown historic district near Main Street, which attracts visitors to local restaurants, antique shops, and cultural events, and the neighborhoods surrounding Southeastern Oklahoma State University campus, particularly areas within 1-2 miles of the university that benefit from consistent demand from visiting families, prospective students, and academic conference attendees. The residential areas near Lake Texoma, approximately 15 minutes south of Durant, offer strong potential due to the lake's year-round recreation activities, fishing tournaments, and weekend tourism from Dallas-Fort Worth metro area residents seeking lakefront getaways. Properties near the Choctaw Casino Resort benefit from gaming tourism and entertainment events, while neighborhoods close to the Three Valley Museum and Fort Washita Historic Site capture heritage tourism traffic, with these areas particularly attractive because Durant serves as a regional hub for southeastern Oklahoma with limited hotel inventory, creating opportunities for well-positioned short-term rentals to capture overflow demand from business travelers, casino visitors, university events, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Durant, Oklahoma imposes a 5% city lodging tax on short-term rental accommodations including Airbnbs, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days. The Oklahoma state sales tax of 4.5% also applies to lodging services, bringing the combined tax rate to approximately 9.5%. Bryan County may impose an additional occupancy tax of up to 2%, potentially raising the total to 11.5%. These taxes are typically collected by the host at the time of booking or check-in and must be remitted to the Oklahoma Tax Commission monthly if collections exceed $2,500 annually, or quarterly for smaller operators. Hosts must register for a sales tax permit with the Oklahoma Tax Commission and file returns by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. The city lodging tax is remitted separately to Durant's city treasurer's office. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and may include certain government employee stays or nonprofit organization bookings depending on local ordinances.

To start an Airbnb in Durant, Oklahoma, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on Durant's median home prices in 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$15,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees in Oklahoma are relatively minimal at $200-$500, covering business licenses and any required local permits. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage. Utilities including electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable average $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, supplies, maintenance, platform fees, and marketing total approximately $3,000-$5,000. Property management software and initial guest amenities add another $500-$1,000. These estimates assume purchasing a median-priced home in Durant's market, which benefits from proximity to Lake Texoma and reasonable property values compared to larger Oklahoma cities.

Airbnb properties in Durant, Oklahoma typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates ranging from $65-$120 depending on proximity to Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Lake Texoma recreational areas. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties within 2 miles of the university campus or lakefront locations achieve higher occupancy rates of 60-75% annually, while rural properties average 35-50% occupancy. Successful operators like those managing converted lake cabins near Lake Texoma report net profit margins of 25-35% by targeting fishing tournaments, university events, and weekend recreational visitors. Key success factors include strategic location selection, competitive pricing during peak seasons (spring fishing season and university events), professional photography, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and guest communication. Properties purchased below $150,000 and generating $25,000+ annually typically achieve 12-18% cash-on-cash returns after accounting for mortgage payments, though success heavily depends on effective marketing and operational efficiency in this smaller market of approximately 18,000 residents.

Based on Durant, Oklahoma market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Lake Texoma tend to perform better, with investors commonly seeing 15-20% annual returns due to consistent student and recreational visitor demand. Initial profitability usually occurs within 8-14 months after launch, with break-even on total investment typically achieved in 5-7 years. Average nightly rates in Durant range from $75-$125, with occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, and investors should expect initial setup costs of $15,000-$25,000 for furnishing and renovations on a typical 2-3 bedroom property valued at $120,000-$180,000.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Durant, Oklahoma. In the Durant area, local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Select and RE/MAX Durant have experience with investment properties and can assist with Airbnb acquisitions. Century 21 agents in the region also work with investors seeking vacation rental opportunities. National services include AirDNA for market analysis and revenue projections, Mashvisor for investment property analytics, and BiggerPockets for connecting with local investors and agents. RedAwning and Awning provide short-term rental market data and investment guidance. Local property management companies like Durant Property Management and regional firms such as Vacasa can help investors understand operational aspects of Airbnb properties in the market. Real estate investment groups through BiggerPockets and local meetups in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (approximately 90 minutes away) often have members familiar with the Durant market for vacation rentals targeting Lake Texoma visitors.