Is Moline, Illinois Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Moline, Illinois, begin by researching local regulations as Moline requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that typically allow STRs in residential areas with restrictions on occupancy and parking. Contact Moline City Hall at 619 16th Street to obtain the necessary permits, which include a business license ($25-50 annually) and potentially a special use permit depending on your property's zoning classification. Find a suitable property by searching areas near the TaxSlayer Center, downtown Moline, or residential neighborhoods like Floreciente and Wildwood, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate 4-6 guests at competitive rates of $80-120 per night. Furnish the space with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen appliances, quality bedding, and local touches highlighting Moline's connection to John Deere and the Quad Cities region. Create your listing on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos, detailed descriptions emphasizing proximity to attractions like the Quad City International Airport (15 minutes) and Rock Island Arsenal, and competitive pricing based on local market analysis. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and ensuring compliance with Moline's noise ordinances and occupancy limits while building positive reviews to increase bookings in this emerging short-term rental market.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Moline, Illinois, focus on locations near the Mississippi River waterfront, downtown Moline's entertainment district, and proximity to major employers like Deere & Company headquarters and the Quad Cities International Airport. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1980 with modern amenities, parking, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate business travelers and leisure visitors exploring the Quad Cities region. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings in Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport, aiming for properties that can generate $80-150 per night depending on size and location, while ensuring purchase prices allow for positive cash flow after expenses typically running 40-50% of gross revenue. Research competition using AirDNA, STR Helper, and Mashvisor to analyze occupancy rates, seasonal demand patterns, and market saturation in specific Moline neighborhoods, particularly monitoring supply near TaxSlayer Center events and summer riverfront activities. Utilize local resources including Moline's planning department for zoning regulations, Connect with local real estate agents familiar with investment properties, and leverage tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and STR-specific analytics platforms to evaluate potential returns while considering Moline's regulations on short-term rentals and any licensing requirements.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Moline, Illinois, you must first contact the City of Moline Planning and Development Department at City Hall located at 619 16th Street to determine current short-term rental regulations, as requirements may have been updated since 2023. The application process typically requires submitting a completed short-term rental permit application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, a site plan showing the property layout, proof of liability insurance (usually $1 million minimum), a fire safety inspection certificate, and payment of application fees estimated between $100-300 annually. You'll need to provide your contact information, emergency contact details, maximum occupancy limits, and parking arrangements. The property must comply with zoning requirements (likely restricted in certain residential zones), maintain proper egress routes, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and meet all building and fire codes. Submit your complete application package to the Planning Department, schedule required inspections with the Fire Department and Building Inspector, and allow 30-60 days for processing and approval. Once approved, you must display your permit number in all online listings, maintain guest registries, collect and remit applicable occupancy taxes to Rock Island County, and renew your permit annually while ensuring continued compliance with noise ordinances and occupancy limits.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Moline, Illinois, but operate under specific municipal regulations that require property owners to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions. The city allows STRs in most residential zones but prohibits them in certain historic districts and requires properties to meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Operators must register with the city, pay applicable taxes including the local hotel/motel tax of approximately 6%, and maintain liability insurance of at least $1 million. Properties cannot be rented for less than two consecutive nights, and there are occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms plus two additional guests. Recent changes in 2022-2023 included stricter enforcement of noise ordinances and parking requirements, with violations potentially resulting in license revocation. The city also requires a 24-hour contact person for guests and mandates that properties undergo annual inspections to maintain their STR permits.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Moline, Illinois include the downtown district near the TaxSlayer Center and Vibrant Arena, which attracts visitors for concerts, sporting events, and conventions year-round. The historic Floreciente neighborhood offers charm and walkability to restaurants and entertainment venues, appealing to leisure travelers. Areas near the John Deere Pavilion and corporate headquarters draw significant business travel, particularly around East River Drive and 23rd Avenue corridors. The Riverside Park vicinity along the Mississippi River provides scenic appeal for tourists exploring the Quad Cities region, while neighborhoods near SouthPark Mall and Interstate 74 offer convenience for both business and leisure travelers. Properties within walking distance of the Quad City International Airport area capture overnight business travelers, and the Ben Butterworth Parkway region attracts visitors attending riverfront festivals and events throughout the summer months.

In Moline, Illinois, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Illinois Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax at 6% of gross rental receipts, the Rock Island County hotel tax at 5%, and the City of Moline hotel/motel tax at 8%, resulting in a combined rate of approximately 19% on short-term rental income. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for the state and local portions, with Airbnb remitting payments quarterly to the Illinois Department of Revenue and monthly to Rock Island County and the City of Moline. Hosts must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue for a hotel operator's license and may need to obtain local business licenses, with properties rented for less than 30 consecutive days generally subject to these taxes while longer-term rentals exceeding 30 days are typically exempt from transient occupancy taxes but may still be subject to regular sales tax obligations.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Moline, Illinois is approximately $175,000-$200,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$140,000 based on median home prices in the Quad Cities area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees include business license ($50-$100), short-term rental permit ($200-$500), and potential zoning compliance costs ($500-$1,000). Insurance for short-term rentals runs $1,200-$2,000 annually, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total $500-$800 initially, with monthly costs of $200-$300. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($1,200-$1,800), cleaning services ($1,800-$3,000), maintenance reserves ($1,000), marketing ($500), and property management software ($300-$600) add approximately $4,800-$6,400 to startup expenses.

Airbnb properties in Moline, Illinois typically generate average daily rates of $75-$95 with occupancy rates around 60-65% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $16,000-$22,000 per year for a standard 2-bedroom property. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-35 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance ($1,500-2,500 yearly) typically consume 45-55% of gross revenue. Properties near the Mississippi River waterfront and downtown areas command premium rates of $110-130 nightly with 70%+ occupancy, while suburban locations average $65-80 with 55-60% occupancy. Net profit margins generally range from 25-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts like those operating renovated historic homes near the John Deere Pavilion achieving $8,000-$12,000 annual profits. Key success factors include proximity to Deere & Company headquarters, the TaxSlayer Center, and river activities, with properties featuring modern amenities, professional photography, and responsive hosting typically outperforming the market by 15-20%. The seasonal nature of tourism, with peak demand during summer months and Quad Cities events, requires strategic pricing and marketing to maximize profitability in this mid-sized Illinois market.

Airbnb investments in Moline, Illinois 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 for 2-3 bedroom properties. The Quad Cities market, anchored by John Deere's headquarters and Rock Island Arsenal, provides steady demand from business travelers and tourists visiting the Mississippi River attractions, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Investors can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for initial renovation costs of $15,000-$25,000, property management fees of 15-20%, and operating expenses including utilities, insurance, and maintenance totaling approximately 35-40% of gross rental income. Properties near downtown Moline or within walking distance of the TaxSlayer Center and Ben Butterworth Parkway command premium rates of $90-$130 per night, while suburban locations average $65-$85 per night, with seasonal variations showing 20-30% higher rates during summer months and John Deere Classic golf tournament periods.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Moline, Illinois. Local real estate agents like Mel Foster Co., which has been serving the Quad Cities area since 1924, and Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors, established in 1913, have agents experienced in investment properties and vacation rental markets in Moline. RE/MAX River Cities and Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group also have local agents who understand the Moline market dynamics for Airbnb investments. National services include Mashvisor, which provides rental property analytics and was founded in 2014, AirDNA for market data analysis since 2015, and Awning, a property management company that helps investors identify and manage short-term rentals. BiggerPockets, the real estate investing platform launched in 2004, offers resources and networking for STR investors, while Roofstock and Arrived Homes provide turnkey rental property investment opportunities. Local property management companies like Quad City Property Management and River Cities Realty can assist with ongoing Airbnb operations, and investment-focused firms such as HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses occasionally have properties suitable for short-term rental conversion in the Moline area.