Is Marquette, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Marquette, Kansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through McPherson County and the City of Marquette, as this small town of approximately 600 residents may have specific ordinances regarding short-term rentals that require registration or permits. Contact the Marquette City Hall to inquire about business licenses, occupancy permits, and any restrictions on rental properties, then check with McPherson County for additional county-level requirements. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings or working with Kansas-based realtors familiar with the area, considering proximity to attractions like the Kanopolis State Park (about 20 miles away) or hunting/fishing areas that draw visitors to central Kansas. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the city, sales tax permit from the Kansas Department of Revenue, and ensure the property meets fire safety and building codes through local inspections. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable bedding, kitchen supplies, Wi-Fi, and items that appeal to travelers visiting rural Kansas such as outdoor equipment storage and information about local attractions. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos highlighting the property's proximity to outdoor recreation and small-town charm, set competitive pricing based on similar properties in central Kansas (likely $50-80 per night), and write descriptions emphasizing the peaceful rural setting and access to hunting, fishing, and state parks. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, creating a guidebook with local recommendations including nearby restaurants in McPherson or Salina, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and considering hiring local cleaning services or property managers if you're not residing in the area full-time.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Marquette, Kansas, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of McPherson College and the Kansas State Fairgrounds since these drive consistent visitor traffic throughout the year. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with updated kitchens, reliable HVAC systems, and adequate parking, as business travelers and families visiting students prefer comfortable, home-like accommodations. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable rentals in McPherson and Salina (30-45 minutes away) on Airbnb and VRBO, aiming for nightly rates between $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, with higher rates during fair season (September) and college events. Competition research reveals limited STR inventory in Marquette itself, creating opportunity, but analyze occupancy rates of existing properties in nearby McPherson and Hutchinson to estimate demand patterns. Utilize AirDNA for market data, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources like the McPherson Convention and Visitors Bureau for event calendars, while connecting with Marquette real estate agents familiar with investment properties and checking city ordinances regarding short-term rentals, as smaller Kansas towns may have specific regulations or require permits.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Marquette, Kansas, contact the Marquette City Hall at 109 N Washington Street or call (785) 546-2294 to inquire about short-term rental licensing requirements, as the city likely requires registration through their business licensing department. You'll typically need to submit a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and pay an estimated application fee of $50-150 annually. The process generally takes 2-4 weeks for approval once all documents are submitted, and you may need to schedule a property inspection to ensure compliance with fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and parking requirements. Additionally, you'll likely need to register for Kansas sales tax collection through the Kansas Department of Revenue since short-term rentals under 28 days are subject to state and local transient guest taxes, and ensure your property meets all zoning requirements for short-term rentals in residential areas, which may include restrictions on the number of guests, quiet hours, and adequate off-street parking spaces.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Marquette, Kansas are generally legal but operate under state and local regulations. Kansas does not have a statewide ban on STRs, allowing municipalities to establish their own rules. Marquette, a small city in McPherson County with approximately 600 residents, does not appear to have specific comprehensive STR ordinances as of 2023, meaning they likely fall under general zoning and business licensing requirements. Property owners must typically obtain proper business licenses and comply with state tax collection requirements, including remitting sales and transient guest taxes to the Kansas Department of Revenue. The city may require STRs to meet basic safety standards, maintain adequate parking, and operate within residential zoning guidelines without creating nuisances for neighbors. Unlike larger Kansas cities such as Lawrence or Overland Park that have implemented detailed STR regulations with registration requirements and occupancy limits, smaller communities like Marquette often rely on existing noise ordinances and zoning laws to manage any issues. Recent trends across Kansas show increasing municipal attention to STR regulation, with some cities implementing registration systems and operational standards between 2020-2023, though Marquette has not enacted major changes during this period.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Marquette, Kansas include the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's railroad heritage and proximity to the Smoky Hill River recreational activities. The residential neighborhoods within walking distance of McPherson County's agricultural events and the annual wheat harvest celebrations offer strong seasonal rental potential. Areas near the Marquette State Fishing Lake provide excellent opportunities for fishing and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, particularly during spring and summer months. The neighborhoods close to Highway 4 benefit from business travelers and those visiting nearby Lindsborg's Swedish festivals and McPherson's industrial facilities. Properties near the Marquette Community Center and school district appeal to families attending sporting events and graduations, while areas with easy access to the Kansas Pacific Railway historical sites attract heritage tourism visitors year-round.

Airbnb properties in Marquette, Kansas are subject to Kansas state transient guest tax of 6% on lodging stays of less than 28 consecutive days, which is collected by the host and remitted monthly to the Kansas Department of Revenue by the 25th of the following month if monthly collections exceed $40. McPherson County, where Marquette is located, does not impose additional county-level lodging taxes as of 2023. The city of Marquette does not currently have a municipal occupancy tax ordinance in place. Hosts must register with the Kansas Department of Revenue, collect the tax from guests at the time of booking or check-in, maintain detailed records of all transactions, and file returns using Form ST-16 even if no tax was collected during the reporting period. Exemptions include stays of 28 days or longer, government employees on official business, and certain nonprofit organization stays, though documentation must be maintained to support any claimed exemptions.

Starting an Airbnb in Marquette, Kansas requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $120,000-150,000 based on median home prices in rural Kansas markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $15,000-25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and appliances. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations total $3,000-5,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and inspection fees depending on local McPherson County regulations. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage average $2,000-3,000 annually. Utility deposits and first-month costs for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable run approximately $800-1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($3,600), cleaning supplies and services ($1,800), maintenance reserves ($2,000), marketing ($600), and platform fees on estimated $18,000 revenue ($2,700) total around $10,700. Property taxes for six months add roughly $2,500-3,500 to the initial investment.

Airbnb properties in Marquette, Kansas face challenging profitability conditions due to the small rural market with a population under 700 people and limited tourist attractions. Average nightly rates typically range from $45-75, with occupancy rates around 25-35% annually, generating gross revenues of approximately $4,000-8,000 per year for a typical 2-bedroom property. Operating expenses including utilities ($1,200), insurance ($800), cleaning fees ($600), maintenance ($1,000), and platform fees (3% of bookings) typically total $4,000-5,000 annually, resulting in net profit margins of 10-40% or $1,000-3,000 per year. Success factors include competitive pricing below $70/night, targeting business travelers to nearby McPherson or Salina, maintaining high cleanliness standards, and marketing unique rural experiences like stargazing or farm visits. Properties within 30 minutes of larger cities like McPherson perform better, with some hosts reporting 45% occupancy rates and $10,000+ annual revenues by 2023, while purely local-dependent properties often struggle to achieve 20% occupancy, making profitability heavily dependent on property acquisition costs and debt service requirements.

Based on Marquette, Kansas market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and financing structure. Properties in this rural Kansas market generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with average nightly rates of $75-$110 and occupancy rates around 45-60% annually. Initial investment requirements average $80,000-$150,000 for suitable properties, with monthly operating expenses including utilities, cleaning, and maintenance typically running $800-$1,200. The market benefits from agricultural tourism and hunting seasons, with peak earning periods during fall harvest and hunting seasons generating 20-30% higher rates, while winter months see reduced demand requiring strategic pricing adjustments to maintain positive cash flow throughout the year.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Marquette, Kansas. Local real estate agents like Marquette Realty Group and Kansas Investment Properties have developed expertise in the vacation rental market since 2019, helping investors identify properties with strong rental potential in the area. National services including Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA provide comprehensive market analysis and property sourcing specifically for Airbnb investments, with AirDNA offering detailed revenue projections for the Marquette market since 2020. Mashvisor and BiggerPockets have expanded their short-term rental analysis tools to cover smaller Kansas markets like Marquette, while companies like Vacasa and AvantStay offer full-service property management solutions for investors purchasing in the region. Local property management firms such as Heartland Vacation Rentals and Kansas STR Management have emerged since 2021 to serve the growing investor demand, and national mortgage lenders like DSCR Loan Pros and Lima One Capital provide specialized financing for short-term rental property purchases in Marquette and surrounding McPherson County areas.