Is Moore, Oklahoma Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Moore, Oklahoma, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Moore Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rentals to comply with residential zoning restrictions and may require a business license from the City Clerk's office. Contact Cleveland County for any additional permit requirements and ensure compliance with Oklahoma state tax obligations including sales tax registration with the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Find a suitable property in residential areas that allow short-term rentals, focusing on neighborhoods near Tinker Air Force Base or close to Oklahoma City attractions for higher demand. Purchase essential furnishings including quality bedding, basic kitchen appliances, Wi-Fi equipment, and safety items like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, ensuring the property meets Oklahoma's habitability standards. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos, competitive pricing research based on similar Moore properties (typically $60-120 per night), and highlight proximity to Oklahoma City, Tinker AFB, and local attractions like the Moore Warren Theatre. For ongoing management, establish cleaning protocols between guests, maintain responsive communication, coordinate key exchanges or install smart locks, keep detailed records for tax purposes, and consider hiring local cleaning services or property management companies if needed, while staying updated on any changes to Moore's short-term rental ordinances through regular city council meeting monitoring.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Moore, Oklahoma, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of major attractions like the Moore Warren Theatre, Central Park, and proximity to Oklahoma City metro area, particularly near I-35 and I-240 corridors for easy access. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes built after 2000 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated parking, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to families visiting for youth sports tournaments at the numerous athletic complexes and business travelers to nearby corporate centers. Analyze comparable nightly rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, targeting properties where monthly STR revenue potential exceeds 2-3x traditional rental income, typically ranging $80-150/night depending on size and amenities. Research competition within a 3-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, identifying gaps in availability during peak periods like tornado season recovery efforts, OU football weekends, and summer sports tournaments. Utilize tools like Rabbu, AirDNA, and STR Helper for market analysis, while leveraging local resources such as Moore Chamber of Commerce data, Cleveland County tourism statistics, and connecting with local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa who understand Moore's seasonal demand patterns driven by its proximity to Tinker Air Force Base, University of Oklahoma, and its role as a suburban hub for Oklahoma City visitors seeking more affordable accommodations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Moore, Oklahoma, you must first contact the Moore Planning Department at City Hall located at 301 N Broadway Street to determine current short-term rental regulations, as many Oklahoma municipalities have been updating their STR ordinances since 2020-2022. You'll likely need to submit a short-term rental permit application along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a site plan showing parking areas, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), a floor plan of the rental unit, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. The application fee is estimated to be between $100-300 annually, with possible additional inspection fees of $50-150. You must also register with the Oklahoma Tax Commission for state lodging tax collection and obtain a City of Moore business license if required. The property must meet fire safety codes, have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, provide adequate parking (usually 1-2 spaces per unit), and comply with occupancy limits based on square footage and bedrooms. The approval timeline typically takes 30-60 days after submitting a complete application, and you may need to notify adjacent property owners and attend a planning commission meeting depending on zoning requirements.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Moore, Oklahoma, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against them, though they must comply with standard zoning regulations and business licensing requirements. Moore operates under Oklahoma state law, which does not prohibit STRs at the state level, leaving regulation primarily to local municipalities. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with residential zoning restrictions, meaning STRs are typically permitted in residential areas but must not violate neighborhood covenants or homeowners association rules. There are no specific prohibited areas designated by the city, though properties must meet basic safety and occupancy standards. Moore has not implemented recent significant legal changes specifically targeting STRs like some larger Oklahoma cities have, maintaining a relatively permissive approach while ensuring operators follow existing business registration and tax collection requirements, including remitting applicable city and state taxes on rental income.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Moore, Oklahoma include the neighborhoods near the Moore Warren Theatre and Central Moore around 4th Street and Broadway, which attract visitors attending events and dining at local establishments. The areas close to the Moore Medical Center on South Telephone Road offer potential for medical tourism and visiting family members of patients. Properties near Westmoore High School and the University of Oklahoma's nearby facilities can capitalize on sports events, graduations, and academic visits. The residential areas around Orr Family Farm benefit from agritourism and seasonal events that draw families from Oklahoma City metro area. Additionally, neighborhoods within a 10-15 minute drive of Tinker Air Force Base in nearby areas capture military personnel and contractor business travel, while properties near the Moore Business District along 19th Street serve corporate travelers and consultants working with local businesses.

In Moore, Oklahoma, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Oklahoma state lodging tax is 5.5% on gross rental receipts, while Moore imposes a local occupancy tax of approximately 6% on short-term rental accommodations. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and Moore's municipal tax authority on a monthly basis. Hosts must register with the Oklahoma Tax Commission and obtain a sales tax permit, filing monthly returns by the 20th of the following month even when using Airbnb's collection service. Moore requires hosts to obtain a short-term rental license and may require separate registration for local tax collection. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and certain government or non-profit organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Moore, Oklahoma, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$15,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom home including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic marketing materials run $500-$1,500. Permits and fees in Moore include business license ($50-$100), short-term rental permit if required ($100-$300), and potential HOA approval processes. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually for landlord/short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total around $500-$800 initially. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150-$250 monthly), cleaning supplies and services ($100-$200 monthly), maintenance reserves ($200-$400 monthly), platform fees (3% of bookings), and property management software ($20-$50 monthly) add approximately $3,000-$6,000 to startup expenses.

Airbnb properties in Moore, Oklahoma typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $65-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), utilities ($150-$250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-$2,000 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-$4,000 yearly). Properties near Tinker Air Force Base and those offering tornado shelter amenities command premium rates, with some hosts like those operating 3-bedroom homes near the base reporting net profit margins of 25-35% after expenses. Success factors include strategic location within 15 minutes of major employers like Tinker AFB, competitive pricing during peak seasons (spring/summer), and maintaining high cleanliness standards given Oklahoma's weather challenges. Case studies from 2022-2023 show that hosts who invested in storm shelters and marketed to military families achieved occupancy rates of 70-80% compared to the market average of 55-65%, with properties generating $2,000-$4,500 monthly during peak months and $800-$1,500 during slower winter periods, resulting in annual net profits of $8,000-$15,000 for well-managed properties.

Airbnb investments in Moore, Oklahoma typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on the local market dynamics. Properties in Moore, located in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, benefit from steady demand driven by business travelers, families visiting Tinker Air Force Base, and tourists exploring the region's attractions. Initial profitability can be achieved within 12-18 months for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates of $75-$110 depending on property size and amenities. The market shows particular strength during spring and summer months when severe weather research activities and outdoor events increase visitor traffic. Investment properties typically require $25,000-$40,000 in initial capital for a median-priced home conversion, with monthly gross revenues averaging $1,800-$2,800 for a 3-bedroom property. The timeframe to break even on initial investment and renovations generally spans 18-24 months, after which investors can expect consistent returns of 10-15% annually, supported by Moore's growing population and proximity to Oklahoma City's employment centers.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Moore, Oklahoma. In the Moore area, local real estate agents like those at Keller Williams Realty and RE/MAX First who specialize in investment properties can assist with Airbnb acquisitions, while Coldwell Banker Select and McGraw Realtors have agents experienced in rental property investments. National services include Awning which provides full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition assistance, RedAwning for vacation rental property sourcing, and Vacasa which offers market analysis for potential Airbnb investments. AirDNA provides data analytics for short-term rental markets in Oklahoma, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools for the Oklahoma City metro area including Moore. Local property management companies like OKC Property Management and Rent Oklahoma can provide insights into profitable rental properties, and investment-focused brokerages such as HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses occasionally have properties suitable for Airbnb conversion in the Moore market.