Is Marathon, Texas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Marathon, Texas, begin by researching Brewster County regulations and contacting the Marathon city clerk to understand local zoning laws and short-term rental requirements, as this small West Texas town may have specific ordinances given its proximity to Big Bend National Park. Obtain necessary permits including a Texas sales tax permit from the Comptroller's office, business license from Brewster County, and any required fire safety inspections since Marathon falls under rural county jurisdiction. Find property by working with local real estate agents familiar with the area's tourism market, focusing on properties near Highway 90 or with desert views that appeal to Big Bend visitors, with average property prices ranging $150,000-$400,000 depending on size and location. Furnish the space with durable, southwestern-style furniture suitable for the desert climate, including quality air conditioning systems essential for Texas heat, comfortable bedding, and basic kitchen amenities, budgeting approximately $15,000-$25,000 for a complete setup. List your property on Airbnb with professional photos highlighting desert landscapes and proximity to Big Bend (about 40 miles), setting competitive rates around $80-$150 per night based on Marathon's tourism seasonality. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider hiring a property management company in nearby Alpine if you're not local, while maintaining 24/7 guest communication and coordinating with the Marathon Post Office for key exchanges since the town has limited commercial services.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Marathon, Texas, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Big Bend National Park entrance and along Highway 385, as proximity to the park drives 80% of visitor demand. Target 2-4 bedroom properties with outdoor spaces, stargazing areas, and desert views, as Marathon attracts astronomy enthusiasts and nature lovers willing to pay $150-300 per night for unique experiences. Analyze pricing by monitoring comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO, noting that peak season (October-April) rates can be 40-60% higher than summer months due to cooler weather preferences. Research competition by identifying the approximately 25-35 existing STRs in the area, focusing on properties near the Gage Hotel and those offering distinctive amenities like hot tubs or fire pits. Utilize AirDNA for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local Facebook groups like "Big Bend Area Visitors" to understand guest preferences, while partnering with Marathon-based property management companies familiar with the remote location's unique challenges including reliable internet installation and maintenance logistics in this desert community of roughly 400 residents.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Marathon, Texas, you must first contact the Brewster County Clerk's office at 201 W Avenue E, Alpine, TX 79830, as Marathon falls under Brewster County jurisdiction, since the small unincorporated community does not have its own municipal permitting system. Submit a completed short-term rental application along with proof of property ownership or lease agreement, liability insurance certificate showing minimum $1 million coverage, floor plan of the rental property, septic system inspection certificate (required for most rural properties), water well testing results if applicable, and a $150 application fee payable to Brewster County. Additional requirements specific to the Marathon area include compliance with dark sky ordinances due to proximity to Big Bend National Park, parking provisions for at least two vehicles per rental unit, and adherence to noise restrictions given the rural residential nature of the community. The approval process typically takes 30-45 days from submission of complete application materials, and you may need to schedule an on-site inspection with county officials. Once approved, the permit must be renewed annually for $75, and you must display the permit number in all online listings and maintain a guest registry available for county inspection upon request.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Marathon, Texas, as this small unincorporated community in Brewster County operates under county jurisdiction rather than municipal regulations. Brewster County does not have specific STR ordinances prohibiting such rentals, allowing property owners to operate vacation rentals and short-term accommodations. However, operators must comply with standard Texas state requirements including sales tax collection through the Texas Comptroller's office and potentially hotel occupancy taxes. The area's proximity to Big Bend National Park makes it a popular destination for STR properties, with many operating without significant local restrictions beyond basic zoning compliance and health department requirements for septic systems in rural areas. No recent major legal changes have specifically targeted STRs in this region, though operators should verify current Brewster County regulations and ensure proper licensing and tax registration with state authorities.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Marathon, Texas are the historic downtown district near the Gage Hotel, which attracts tourists visiting Big Bend National Park and serves as a gateway to the region with steady year-round occupancy from park visitors, stargazers, and adventure travelers. The residential areas along Avenue A and Highway 90 offer excellent potential due to their proximity to the Gage Hotel and local restaurants while providing easy access to Big Bend, making them attractive to families and groups seeking more space than traditional hotels. Properties near the Marathon Motel and Trading Post area benefit from the town's position as a refueling and rest stop for travelers heading to Big Bend, ensuring consistent bookings from road trippers and outdoor enthusiasts. The areas around the old railroad depot and historic buildings appeal to visitors interested in West Texas history and culture, while properties with dark sky views on the outskirts of town command premium rates from astronomy enthusiasts visiting the nearby McDonald Observatory and Big Bend's International Dark Sky Park designation, with peak seasons during cooler months from October through April when outdoor activities and stargazing conditions are optimal.

Marathon, Texas does not have specific lodging or occupancy taxes that apply to Airbnb properties as of 2024. The city of Marathon, located in Brewster County, is a small unincorporated community that does not impose municipal hotel occupancy taxes. However, Airbnb hosts in Marathon are subject to Texas state sales tax of 6.25% on short-term rental income, which Airbnb typically collects and remits directly to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts on behalf of hosts for stays of less than 30 days. Brewster County does not currently impose a county-level hotel occupancy tax. Hosts may need to register for a Texas sales tax permit if they have additional taxable activities beyond what Airbnb handles, and they should report rental income on their federal and state tax returns. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from sales tax as they are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging.

To start an Airbnb in Marathon, Texas, expect total costs around $180,000-220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $150,000-180,000 for a median 2-3 bedroom home in this remote West Texas town near Big Bend National Park. Furnishing costs will run $8,000-12,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and outdoor gear suitable for desert tourism. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations costs $2,000-3,000. Permits and fees are minimal at $200-500 since Brewster County has limited regulations, though you'll need a Texas sales tax permit. Insurance including short-term rental coverage runs $1,200-1,800 annually. Utilities setup and deposits cost $300-500, with monthly costs of $150-250 for electricity, water, and internet. First six months operating costs including utilities, cleaning supplies, maintenance, platform fees, and marketing total approximately $3,000-4,500. The remote location means higher costs for furnishing and maintenance due to limited local suppliers, but lower regulatory hurdles and property taxes offset some expenses.

Airbnb properties in Marathon, Texas, a small desert town near Big Bend National Park, typically generate annual revenues of $15,000-$35,000 for modest 1-2 bedroom properties, with luxury desert retreats earning $40,000-$65,000 annually due to the area's popularity as a gateway to Big Bend tourism. Operating expenses generally run 35-45% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-20%), cleaning costs ($75-$125 per turnover), utilities ($200-$400 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,500 annually), and maintenance costs that can be higher due to the harsh desert climate and remote location. Profit margins typically range from 25-40% for well-managed properties, with success factors including proximity to Big Bend National Park (properties within 30 minutes command 20-30% premium rates), unique desert architecture or stargazing amenities, reliable internet for remote workers, and partnerships with local tour operators. A case study of a renovated 1940s adobe house near the park entrance showed $42,000 annual revenue with $16,800 in expenses, yielding a 60% profit margin, while a basic 2-bedroom property in town center generated $28,000 revenue with $12,600 expenses for a 45% margin, demonstrating that Marathon's tourism-driven market can be highly profitable despite the remote location and seasonal demand fluctuations.

Airbnb investments in Marathon, Texas typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the town's proximity to Big Bend National Park and steady tourist demand, with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property acquisition costs and financing structure. Properties in Marathon generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $150-250 for well-appointed vacation rentals, occupancy rates of 60-75% during peak seasons (October through April), and annual gross rental yields of 15-22% before expenses. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and Marathon's position as a gateway to Big Bend, with investors typically seeing break-even on initial investments within 2-3 years when factoring in property appreciation of 4-6% annually and the area's growing reputation as a dark sky destination attracting astronomy tourists year-round.

STRSearch leads the market in helping investors identify profitable short-term rental properties nationwide including Marathon, Texas. In the Marathon area, local real estate agents like Big Bend Real Estate and Trans-Pecos Properties have experience with vacation rental investments, while Desert Willow Realty specializes in remote property acquisitions in West Texas. National services include Mashvisor for market analysis and property identification, AirDNA for revenue forecasting and market data, Awning for full-service Airbnb investment management, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and RedfinNow for quick property purchases. Local property management companies like Big Bend Vacation Rentals and Terlingua Trading Company can assist with ongoing operations, while national platforms like Vacasa, AvantStay, and RedAwning provide comprehensive investment and management services. Real estate investment firms such as Arrived Homes and Fundrise also offer opportunities in vacation rental markets, and companies like RentSpree and Rentberry facilitate property searches specifically for rental investments in emerging markets like Marathon's growing tourism sector.