Is Monument, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

Potentially—Monument, Kansas combines visitor demand with long-term real estate upside.

• Presents a unique and generally limited opportunity, primarily due to the city's small population and lack of major tourism drivers.
• Current market conditions in Monument typically favor long-term rentals over short-term vacation rentals.
• Property values are generally lower compared to urban centers, which could seem appealing, but the low demand for short-term stays would likely lead to minimal revenue and a poor return on investment.
• While there might be occasional demand for accommodation from visitors passing through or for local events, these instances are infrequent and insufficient to make Airbnb a consistently profitable venture in Monument.

$800–$1,500 per month based on location, season, and property quality.

• Based on available market data and regional analysis, Airbnb hosts in Monument, Kansas typically earn between $800-$1,500 per month.
• Seasonal variations show peak earnings during summer months when outdoor recreation and family travel increase demand by approximately 25-30%.
• Earnings are significantly influenced by proximity to recreational areas like Scott Lake State Park, property size with larger homes commanding premium rates.
• Rural location factors include limited competition benefiting hosts but also reduced overall demand compared to urban markets, with successful properties often marketing to hunters, fishing enthusiasts.
• Properties within walking distance of the town center or featuring unique rural experiences tend to outperform the average by 15-20%.

Potentially strong—typical annual ROI is 8–12%.

• Typically generate ROI between 8-12% annually, with payback periods averaging 10-12 years due to the town's small population of approximately 100 residents and limited tourist demand.
• The market faces challenges from minimal local attractions and competition from larger nearby cities like Scott City and Garden City.
• Long-term rental investments in Monument generally outperform short-term rentals with more stable 6-8% returns and 12-15 year payback periods.
• The limited housing stock of fewer than 50 residential properties and seasonal demand fluctuations make Airbnb investments riskier compared to traditional rental properties.

Monument, Kansas averages 45–55% annual occupancy, with seasonal variation.

• Monument, Kansas experiences average Airbnb occupancy rates of approximately 45-55% annually, with significant seasonal variations that peak during summer months (June-August) at around 65-70% due to increased tourism and outdoor activities, while winter months (December-February) typically see occupancy drop to 30-40%.
• Spring and fall maintain moderate occupancy levels around 50-60%, with slight increases during hunting seasons and local festivals.
• These rates are generally lower than Kansas state averages of 55-65% and significantly below national Airbnb averages of 65-75%.

The strongest opportunities balance visitor demand, nightly rates, and acquisition cost.

• Monument, Kansas offers limited but strategic Airbnb investment opportunities primarily centered around its agricultural tourism and proximity to regional attractions.
• The Historic Downtown area provides the best investment potential due to its walkable access to local restaurants, antique shops, and the town's railroad heritage sites.
• The Residential Core neighborhood near Main Street offers affordable property acquisition costs with good rental potential from travelers seeking authentic rural stays and those visiting nearby Scott City or touring western Kansas attractions.
• The Agricultural District on the town's outskirts appeals to agritourism investors, as properties here can attract visitors interested in farm experiences, hunting, and outdoor recreation.
• The Railroad District neighborhood capitalizes on Monument's transportation history and attracts railroad enthusiasts and history buffs, offering unique themed rental opportunities.
• Properties near the Community Center area benefit from proximity to local events and gatherings, providing steady booking potential during festivals and community celebrations.
• The Outskirts Residential zone offers the most affordable entry point for investors, with larger properties suitable for group bookings and family reunions.

Yes, but only where zoning permits short-term rentals and every required license is current.

• Monument, Kansas currently operates under relatively permissive short-term rental regulations as of 2023, with the city requiring basic business license registration through the city clerk's office for properties operating more than 30 days per year.
• Properties must obtain a general business license costing approximately $25-50 annually and comply with standard residential occupancy limits of 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.
• The city does not currently mandate owner-occupancy requirements, allowing both primary residences and investment properties to operate as short-term rentals.
• Zoning restrictions generally permit short-term rentals in residential districts R-1 through R-3, though commercial zoning may have different requirements.
• The registration process involves submitting a business license application, providing property owner information.
• Recent regulatory discussions in 2022-2023 have focused on potential implementation of more structured permitting systems and noise ordinance enforcement, though no major restrictive changes have been enacted.

Tax rates vary by jurisdiction; licensing, inspection, and insurance costs are additional.

• Short-term rentals in Monument, Kansas are subject to several fees and taxes including Kansas state sales tax of 6.5% plus local sales tax which typically ranges from 1-3% for a combined rate of approximately 7.5-9.5% on rental income.
• The state transient guest tax is 6% on lodging accommodations under 30 days.
• Monument likely requires a business license costing approximately $25-50 annually, and operators may need a special use permit or conditional use permit ranging from $100-300.
• Property owners must register with the Kansas Department of Revenue for sales tax collection at no cost, though there may be local registration requirements with fees of $50-150.
• Additional costs may include fire safety inspections ($75-150), health department permits if applicable ($50-100), and potential homeowners association fees or municipal compliance costs.
• Some jurisdictions require liability insurance minimums and may charge administrative processing fees of $25-75 for permit applications.