Is Moose, Wyoming Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Moose, Wyoming, begin by researching Teton County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a business license and conditional use permit for properties operating as vacation rentals for less than 30 days, with applications submitted to Teton County Planning Department and fees ranging from $500-2,000. Contact the Town of Jackson planning office since Moose falls under their jurisdiction for specific zoning compliance, as residential areas may have restrictions on commercial activities. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with vacation rental potential, focusing on properties near Grand Teton National Park entrances or Snake River access points, with purchase prices typically ranging $800,000-2,000,000 for suitable homes. Obtain necessary permits including a Wyoming business license ($50-100), Teton County business license ($100-300), and short-term rental permit, while ensuring compliance with fire safety codes and septic system capacity for increased occupancy. Furnish the property with durable, mountain-appropriate furniture, outdoor gear storage, high-speed internet, and amenities appealing to park visitors, budgeting $30,000-60,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting proximity to Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, and outdoor activities, setting competitive rates of $200-600 per night depending on property size and season. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and property management companies like Jackson Hole Property Management or Teton Village Property Management, while maintaining 24/7 guest communication and coordinating with nearby property managers for emergency situations during Wyoming's harsh winter months.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Moose, Wyoming, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of Grand Teton National Park entrances and Jackson Lake, as proximity to outdoor recreation drives 70-80% of bookings in this market. Target 3-4 bedroom cabins or homes with mountain views, hot tubs, fireplaces, and rustic Wyoming aesthetics, as these features command $300-500 per night during peak season (June-September) compared to $150-250 for standard properties. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties in nearby Jackson and Teton Village, where comparable properties earn $80,000-120,000 annually, while Moose properties typically generate 15-20% less due to slightly reduced accessibility. Research competition by monitoring listings within a 10-mile radius, noting that successful properties maintain 75%+ occupancy rates during peak season and 40-50% in shoulder seasons. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, partner with local property management companies like Jackson Hole Property Management or Teton Village Property Management for operational insights, and leverage Wyoming's favorable tax environment and tourism data from Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce to validate investment decisions, ensuring properties meet the area's strict short-term rental regulations and HOA requirements common in Teton County developments.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Moose, Wyoming, you must apply through Teton County's Planning Department since Moose falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal government. Submit your application to the Teton County Planning Office located at 200 South Willow Street in Jackson, providing required documents including a completed short-term rental application form, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, septic system inspection certificate, fire safety plan, parking plan showing adequate off-street spaces, and neighbor notification affidavits. The application fee is approximately $500-750 with an additional $200 annual renewal fee, and the process typically takes 60-90 days for review and approval. Specific Moose area requirements include compliance with rural residential zoning restrictions limiting occupancy to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests maximum, maintaining septic system capacity for proposed occupancy levels, ensuring adequate parking without impacting neighboring properties, and adhering to wildlife safety protocols including bear-proof trash storage and guest education materials about local wildlife encounters. You must also register with Wyoming Department of Revenue for lodging tax collection, obtain a business license, and maintain liability insurance of at least $1 million, with all permits requiring annual renewal and compliance inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Moose, Wyoming, as the area falls under Teton County jurisdiction, which permits vacation rentals with proper licensing and compliance requirements. Teton County requires STR operators to obtain a business license, comply with zoning regulations, and adhere to occupancy limits, noise ordinances, and parking requirements. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency egress requirements. The county has implemented a cap on new STR permits in certain residential zones to address housing concerns, and some areas near Grand Teton National Park may have additional federal restrictions. Recent changes around 2022-2023 included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced penalties for non-compliance, with the county requiring annual renewals and regular inspections. Operators must also collect and remit local lodging taxes, typically around 6-8%, and maintain liability insurance. While STRs remain legal in Moose, the regulatory environment has become more stringent due to community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood character preservation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Moose, Wyoming are primarily concentrated around the Jackson Hole valley and Teton Village vicinity, with properties near the Snake River and Grand Teton National Park entrance being particularly lucrative due to year-round tourism from outdoor enthusiasts, skiers visiting Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and visitors to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The Moose-Wilson Road corridor offers excellent potential as it provides direct access to both national parks and attracts wildlife photographers, hikers, and nature lovers throughout the summer and fall seasons. Properties within walking distance of the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center benefit from consistent foot traffic and serve as ideal bases for park exploration. The area near Dornan's trading post and restaurant complex generates strong rental demand from tourists seeking authentic Western experiences, while locations with Snake River frontage command premium rates for fishing enthusiasts and scenic retreats. Winter months see increased demand from backcountry skiers and snowshoers, making properties with easy access to groomed trails and winter recreation areas highly profitable, with peak seasons typically running from December through March and June through September.

In Moose, Wyoming, Airbnb properties are subject to Wyoming's state lodging tax of 4% on gross receipts from accommodations, which applies to rentals of less than 30 consecutive days. Teton County imposes an additional local lodging tax of 3%, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 7% for short-term rentals in the Moose area. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the Wyoming Department of Revenue and Teton County on behalf of hosts. However, hosts may still need to register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue and obtain a lodging tax license, and should verify their tax obligations with local authorities since some jurisdictions require separate registration even when platforms collect taxes. Exemptions generally apply to rentals of 30 days or longer, government employees on official business, and certain nonprofit organizations, though specific documentation may be required to qualify for these exemptions. Hosts should maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections, as they remain ultimately responsible for ensuring proper tax compliance even when using automated collection systems.

To start an Airbnb in Moose, Wyoming, expect total costs around $850,000-$950,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $750,000-$800,000 for a median 3-bedroom cabin or home in this Jackson Hole area location. Furnishing costs will run $25,000-$35,000 for quality mountain lodge-style furniture, bedding, kitchen equipment, and outdoor gear storage. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials costs $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, lodging tax registration, and Teton County short-term rental permits total $1,500-$2,500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $3,000-$4,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, sewer, internet, and propane average $1,000-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($800/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), property management software ($50/month), supplies and maintenance ($300/month), and marketing ($200/month) total approximately $9,000-$12,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for the Jackson Hole tourism market.

Airbnb properties in Moose, Wyoming, demonstrate strong seasonal profitability due to the area's proximity to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, with average nightly rates ranging from $150-400 depending on property size and amenities. Properties typically generate $35,000-75,000 in annual revenue, with peak summer months (June-September) accounting for 60-70% of total bookings at premium rates of $250-400 per night, while winter months see moderate demand from skiers at $150-250 nightly. Operating expenses generally run 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-150 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($2,000-4,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-6,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 25-35% for well-managed properties, with success factors including professional photography, responsive guest communication, proximity to park entrances, hot tubs or mountain views, and partnerships with local activity providers. A typical 3-bedroom cabin near the park entrance can achieve 65% occupancy rates and generate approximately $55,000 annually with expenses of $30,000, yielding a net profit of $25,000, though properties require significant upfront investment and face challenges from seasonal fluctuations, strict local regulations, and high competition from established vacation rental companies operating in the Jackson Hole market since 2015.

Airbnb investments in Moose, Wyoming can expect annual ROI of 12-18% due to the town's proximity to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, with peak summer occupancy rates reaching 85-90% and average daily rates of $250-400 for well-appointed properties. Cash-on-cash returns typically range from 8-14% annually, with higher-end cabins and luxury properties near the Snake River achieving the upper range, while standard vacation rentals average 10-12%. Properties generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with initial investment recovery timeframes of 6-8 years for most investors. The seasonal nature of tourism means 70% of annual revenue is generated between May and September, with winter months providing moderate returns from skiing and wildlife viewing tourists. Market appreciation has averaged 6-8% annually since 2019, and successful properties often generate $45,000-75,000 in gross rental income per year after accounting for Teton County's tourism taxes and property management fees of 20-25%.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Moose, Wyoming. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates, Teton Village Realty, and Snake River Lodge Properties, who have extensive knowledge of the Teton County vacation rental market since the early 2000s. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and BiggerPockets offer market analytics and property sourcing tools for the Jackson Hole area. Vacasa and RedAwning provide property management services for investors, while local companies such as Jackson Hole Property Management and Teton Vacation Rentals offer specialized short-term rental management. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Awning focus on turnkey rental properties, though their Wyoming inventory is limited. Local mortgage brokers including First Federal Bank & Trust and Bank of Jackson Hole offer financing solutions for investment properties, while vacation rental consultants such as Host Advisors and local firm Mountain Property Advisors provide market entry strategies for investors looking to capitalize on Moose's proximity to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone.