Is Greenville, Mississippi Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Greenville, Mississippi, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Greenville Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with residential zoning restrictions that may limit rentals in certain neighborhoods. Contact the Washington County Tax Assessor's office to understand property tax implications and ensure your property meets fire safety codes through the Greenville Fire Department. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with investment properties, focusing on areas near the Mississippi River, downtown historic district, or near Greenville Higher Education Center, with typical property costs ranging from $40,000-$120,000 for suitable homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning (crucial for Mississippi's humid climate), quality bedding, kitchen appliances, and local touches like Mississippi Delta-themed decor, budgeting approximately $8,000-$15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting unique features like proximity to the Great River Road or local casinos, setting competitive rates around $60-$100 per night based on local market analysis. Manage your property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider using property management companies like Vacasa or local firms, while maintaining responsive communication with guests and keeping emergency contacts for 24/7 issues, ensuring compliance with Mississippi's 7% state sales tax on short-term rentals and Greenville's local occupancy taxes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Greenville, Mississippi, focus on locations near the Mississippi River waterfront, downtown historic district, and areas close to Delta State University (30 minutes away) or major employers like the Port of Greenville. Target properties built after 1980 with 2-4 bedrooms, modern amenities, parking, and unique features like river views or historic charm that can command $80-150 per night. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, comparing against local hotel rates at Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express (typically $90-120/night) to ensure competitive pricing. Research competition by monitoring active Airbnb and VRBO listings within 5-mile radius, noting occupancy patterns and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Century 21 or Coldwell Banker offices, while connecting with Greenville Chamber of Commerce for tourism data and Washington County economic development information. Consider properties under $100,000 that can generate 15-25% annual returns, focusing on areas with easy highway access to attract business travelers and tourists exploring the Mississippi Delta region.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Greenville, Mississippi, contact the Greenville City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 316 Main Street or call (662) 378-1515 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, general liability insurance policy (minimum $1 million coverage), fire safety inspection certificate from the Greenville Fire Department, and a site plan showing parking arrangements and emergency exits. The application fee is approximately $150 for the initial permit plus $75 for the fire inspection, with annual renewal fees of $100. Required documents also include a completed STR registration form, tax identification number, and proof of compliance with zoning requirements (STRs are typically permitted in residential zones with restrictions on occupancy limits of 8 guests maximum). The approval timeline is generally 4-6 weeks after submitting all required documentation, pending inspections and zoning compliance review. Greenville requires STR operators to maintain a local contact person available 24/7, display the permit number in all advertisements, collect and remit local occupancy taxes of 2%, and ensure properties meet all building and safety codes including working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and clearly marked exits.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Greenville, Mississippi operate in a largely unregulated environment at the municipal level, with the city not having implemented comprehensive STR-specific ordinances as of 2023. Property owners can generally operate STRs under existing zoning laws and business licensing requirements, though they must comply with state tax obligations including Mississippi sales tax and local occupancy taxes where applicable. The city follows standard residential zoning restrictions, meaning STRs are typically permitted in residential areas as long as they don't violate noise ordinances or parking requirements. There are no specific prohibited zones for STRs within Greenville city limits, and recent years have seen minimal regulatory changes regarding short-term rental operations. Property owners should ensure compliance with basic business registration requirements and maintain properties according to standard housing codes, but face fewer restrictions compared to larger Mississippi cities like Jackson or coastal areas that have implemented more stringent STR regulations due to tourism pressures.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Greenville, Mississippi include the Historic Downtown District near Washington Avenue and Main Street, which attracts visitors to the Mississippi Blues Trail markers, antique shops, and local festivals like the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival. The Warfield Point Park area offers waterfront appeal along the Mississippi River with scenic views and proximity to the Great River Road tourist route. The area near the Greenville Municipal Airport and Highway 82 corridor is ideal for business travelers visiting the region's agricultural and industrial facilities, including Archer Daniels Midland and other agribusiness operations. The neighborhoods around Leland Road provide easy access to both downtown attractions and the Winterville Indian Mounds historic site, appealing to cultural tourists. Properties near the Washington County Convention Center benefit from event-related bookings and conferences. The residential areas close to Delta State University's regional programs and the Mississippi Delta Community College extension attract visiting academics, prospective students, and their families throughout the year.

In Greenville, Mississippi, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Mississippi state sales tax of 7% applies to short-term rental accommodations, along with a state tourism tax of 2%, bringing the total state obligation to 9%. Washington County imposes an additional 2% occupancy tax on lodging establishments, while the City of Greenville levies a 3% hotel/motel tax, resulting in a combined local rate of 5%. The total tax burden for Airbnb rentals in Greenville is approximately 14%. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system for properties that qualify, with remittance handled directly by the platform to the Mississippi Department of Revenue and local tax authorities on a monthly basis. For hosts managing their own tax collection, registration with the Mississippi Department of Revenue is required, and taxes must be remitted monthly by the 20th of the following month using Form 72-7001. Exemptions may apply for rentals of 30 days or longer, which are generally considered residential rather than transient lodging, and for certain government or non-profit organization bookings with proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Greenville, Mississippi would be approximately $95,000-$115,000. Property purchase costs around $65,000-$75,000 based on median home prices in the Delta region. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration cost approximately $300-$500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($180/month), cleaning supplies ($50/month), maintenance reserves ($100/month), marketing ($75/month), and platform fees (3% of estimated $800 monthly revenue) amount to approximately $2,600-$3,200, bringing the total startup investment to around $95,000-$115,000 depending on property condition and furnishing choices.

Airbnb properties in Greenville, Mississippi typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $65-95 for entire homes and $35-55 for private rooms, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,200-2,400 for well-managed properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance ($100-200 monthly) typically consume 45-60% of gross revenue. Properties near the Mississippi River, downtown historic district, or Mississippi Delta attractions tend to perform better, with profit margins of 25-40% being achievable for owners who actively manage their listings and maintain high guest ratings above 4.7 stars. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $80,000-120,000 in Greenville can generate net profits of $8,000-15,000 annually after expenses, though success heavily depends on property condition, location proximity to Delta State University or business travelers, and the owner's ability to maintain consistent bookings during peak seasons from March through October when weather is favorable and local events drive demand.

Airbnb investments in Greenville, Mississippi typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on average property acquisition costs of $80,000-$120,000 and monthly rental income of $800-$1,200 per property. The market shows profitability timelines of 18-24 months for break-even on initial investment, with properties averaging 60-70% occupancy rates throughout the year. Local demand is driven by Mississippi River tourism, business travelers to the Delta region, and visitors to nearby casinos, with peak seasons during spring and fall generating 15-20% higher nightly rates of $65-$85 compared to off-season rates of $45-$60. Properties within 2 miles of downtown Greenville or near the riverfront typically outperform suburban locations by 2-3 percentage points in annual returns, while renovation costs for older Delta homes average $15,000-$25,000 to meet short-term rental standards, extending initial profitability timelines by 6-8 months but improving long-term cash-on-cash returns to the higher end of the range.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Greenville, Mississippi. Locally, Delta Real Estate Group and Mississippi River Realty have agents experienced in investment properties, while Greenville Property Investors LLC specializes in vacation rental acquisitions in the Delta region. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which offers full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition consulting, Mashvisor for property analysis and market data, and AirDNA for short-term rental market intelligence. BiggerPockets connects investors with local wholesalers and agents familiar with STR properties, while Roofstock and Arrived Homes offer turnkey rental property investments that can be converted to short-term rentals. Local property management companies like Delta Vacation Rentals and River City Property Management provide insights into profitable STR locations and often assist with property acquisition, and regional investment groups such as Mississippi Real Estate Investors Association offer networking opportunities with experienced Airbnb investors in the Greenville market.