Is McComb, Mississippi Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in McComb, Mississippi, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the McComb City Hall at 300 3rd Avenue North, as Pike County and McComb may require business licenses or special permits for short-term rentals, though Mississippi generally has fewer restrictions than larger cities. Contact the McComb Building Department to determine if you need occupancy permits or safety inspections, and check with Pike County for any county-level requirements. Find a suitable property in desirable areas like downtown McComb near the railroad district or residential neighborhoods close to Southwest Mississippi Community College, considering properties priced between $80,000-$150,000 for good investment potential. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from McComb City Clerk ($25-50 annually), ensure compliance with fire safety codes, and verify your homeowner's insurance covers short-term rentals or purchase additional coverage. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen supplies, linens, and local touches highlighting McComb's railroad heritage and proximity to New Orleans (2 hours south). Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $75-120 per night based on local market rates, and emphasize McComb's small-town charm and central location between Jackson and New Orleans. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges, and maintaining the property to meet Airbnb standards while building positive reviews to increase bookings in this emerging market.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in McComb, Mississippi, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of downtown McComb, near Interstate 55 for easy access, and proximity to local attractions like the McComb Railroad Museum and Percy Quin State Park. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, parking, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 4-8 guests. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $75-150 per night range, considering McComb's average household income of around $35,000 and seasonal demand from business travelers and tourists visiting nearby attractions. Conduct competition research using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify supply gaps, with particular attention to properties near the Amtrak station and medical facilities like Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional MLS, while connecting with McComb-area real estate agents familiar with zoning regulations and rental restrictions, and monitor occupancy rates of existing STRs which typically range 40-65% annually in similar Mississippi markets.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in McComb, Mississippi, you must first contact the McComb City Planning and Zoning Department at City Hall located at 300 3rd Avenue North to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as many Mississippi municipalities require conditional use permits or special exceptions for STRs in residential areas. You'll need to submit an application that typically includes a completed permit application form, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking arrangements, proof of liability insurance (usually $1 million minimum), fire safety inspection certificate from the McComb Fire Department, and a business license from the City Clerk's office. Required documents also include a floor plan indicating maximum occupancy, contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner, and proof of compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements if applicable. Application fees generally range from $150-$300 for the initial permit plus annual renewal fees of $75-$150, with additional costs for inspections ($50-$100) and business license fees ($25-$75). The approval timeline typically takes 30-60 days from submission of a complete application, including time for planning commission review, public notice periods, and required inspections. McComb-specific requirements likely include adherence to residential parking standards (typically 2 spaces per unit), noise ordinance compliance, occupancy limits based on square footage and bedrooms, quarterly tax remittance to the city, and maintaining a guest registry available for inspection by city officials.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in McComb, Mississippi, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rentals or short-term accommodations. Mississippi state law does not broadly restrict STRs, leaving regulation primarily to local municipalities. McComb operates under standard zoning ordinances that typically allow residential properties to be used for rental purposes, though operators must comply with general business licensing requirements and collect applicable state and local taxes including Mississippi's 7% sales tax and any local hotel/motel taxes. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and adhere to health and safety codes, fire regulations, and occupancy limits based on property size. There are no specific prohibited residential areas for STRs in McComb, though properties must comply with existing zoning restrictions and homeowners association rules where applicable. Recent years have seen increased attention to STR regulation across Mississippi municipalities, but McComb has maintained a relatively permissive approach while ensuring basic compliance with tax collection and safety standards, making it accessible for property owners to operate short-term rentals within the city limits.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in McComb, Mississippi include the Historic Downtown District near the railroad depot and antique shops, which attracts heritage tourists and visitors to the McComb Railroad Museum. The residential neighborhoods around Mississippi School of the Arts draw parents visiting students and arts event attendees. Areas near the McComb City Railroad Depot Museum and along Delaware Avenue benefit from railroad history enthusiasts and Route 51 travelers. The neighborhoods around Southwest Mississippi Community College attract visiting families, prospective students, and academic conference attendees. Properties near the McComb City Cemetery and historic homes appeal to genealogy tourists and history buffs. The areas close to Percy Quin State Park (though technically in nearby Pike County) capture overflow visitors seeking accommodations, especially during peak camping seasons and fishing tournaments. Downtown properties near the Pike County Courthouse benefit from legal professionals, court visitors, and government business travelers, while locations near major employers like the medical facilities attract visiting healthcare professionals and patient families.

In McComb, Mississippi, Airbnb hosts are subject to Mississippi state sales tax at 7% on rental income, which applies to short-term rentals under 30 days. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a sales tax permit and collect tax from guests at the time of booking, with monthly remittance due by the 20th of the following month for hosts with monthly tax liability over $200, or quarterly for smaller operators. Pike County may impose an additional local sales tax of up to 1%, bringing the total potential rate to 8%. The City of McComb does not currently impose a specific lodging or occupancy tax on short-term rentals, though this could change with local ordinance updates. Mississippi exempts rentals of 30 days or longer from sales tax, and some agricultural or educational rentals may qualify for exemptions. Hosts should register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue online, collect taxes from guests, maintain detailed records of all transactions, and file returns electronically through the state's tax portal system.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in McComb, Mississippi is approximately $95,000-$125,000. Property purchase costs around $75,000-$95,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for 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 $500-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,200. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees ($150/month), and marketing ($100/month) total approximately $6,900. Additional considerations include property management software subscriptions ($50/month) and emergency repair funds ($1,000-$2,000).

Airbnb properties in McComb, Mississippi typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 for entire homes and $35-50 for private rooms, resulting in monthly revenues of $800-1,500 for well-managed properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($80-120 monthly), property management (15-25% if outsourced), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $100-200 monthly. Properties near downtown McComb or within walking distance of Southwest Mississippi Community College tend to perform better, with some hosts reporting annual profit margins of 15-25% after mortgage payments. Success factors include competitive pricing below Jackson market rates, quick response times to guests, professional photography, and targeting business travelers and college visitors. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $80,000-120,000 can generate $10,000-18,000 in annual gross revenue, with net profits of $3,000-6,000 after all expenses, though properties requiring significant renovations or those in less desirable neighborhoods may struggle to achieve consistent bookings due to McComb's limited tourism infrastructure compared to larger Mississippi markets.

Based on McComb, Mississippi market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near local attractions like the McComb Railroad Museum or downtown area tend to perform better, with investors commonly seeing profitability within 18-24 months of initial investment. The market benefits from steady demand from business travelers visiting companies like Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center and Illinois Central Railroad operations, plus leisure travelers exploring the historic downtown district. Initial investment costs are relatively low compared to larger Mississippi markets, with average property acquisition costs around $80,000-$120,000 for suitable rental properties, allowing for faster break-even periods and stronger cash-on-cash returns in the 7-9% range for well-positioned properties with consistent 65-75% occupancy rates throughout the year.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including McComb, Mississippi. Locally, McComb real estate agents like those at Century 21 J.C. Jones American Dream and Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty have experience with investment properties and can assist with Airbnb acquisitions in the area. RE/MAX agents in the McComb market also work with investors seeking rental properties. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property recommendations, AirDNA for market data and investment analysis, and Awning for short-term rental investment guidance. BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals and resources, while Roofstock focuses on turnkey rental properties that could be converted to Airbnb use. Local property management companies like Pine Belt Property Management may offer insights into profitable rental markets, and mortgage brokers such as those at First National Bank of McComb can provide financing options for investment properties in the area.