Is Oxford, Mississippi Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Oxford, Mississippi, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Oxford Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental permits and compliance with residential zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to no more than 30% of units in certain neighborhoods. Contact Oxford City Hall at 662-232-2200 to obtain the necessary business license and short-term rental permit, which costs approximately $100-200 annually and requires property inspection for safety compliance including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Find a suitable property within 1-2 miles of the University of Mississippi campus for optimal demand, focusing on 2-4 bedroom homes or condos that can accommodate visiting families and football fans, with purchase prices ranging from $150,000-400,000 depending on proximity to campus. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture including quality mattresses, linens, kitchen essentials, high-speed internet, and cable TV, budgeting $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing with items from stores like Ashley Furniture in Tupelo or online retailers. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the proximity to Ole Miss (typically 5-15 minutes), include local attractions like the Square, Rowan Oak, and game day accessibility, and price competitively at $80-250 per night depending on season and events. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services like Oxford Cleaning Company, maintenance contractors, and consider using property management companies such as RedAwning or local firms that charge 15-25% of revenue, while maintaining responsive communication with guests and monitoring the calendar for high-demand periods like football season, graduation, and university events.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Oxford, Mississippi, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of the University of Mississippi campus, particularly in areas like the Square downtown district and neighborhoods along University Avenue, as these attract consistent demand from visiting parents, alumni, and football fans during game weekends. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1990 with parking, updated kitchens, and outdoor spaces, as these command premium rates of $150-300 per night during peak periods like football season and graduation. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, noting that Oxford sees significant seasonal fluctuations with rates doubling during Ole Miss home games and dropping 40-50% during summer months. Research competition by studying existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within your target radius, identifying gaps in amenities or underpriced properties, while monitoring occupancy rates which typically range from 60-75% annually in prime locations. Utilize tools like Rabbu for market analysis, STR Helper for performance tracking, and connect with local property management companies like Oxford Short Term Rentals or Red Door Properties who understand city regulations requiring business licenses and adherence to the 2019 ordinance limiting STRs in certain residential zones.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Oxford, Mississippi, you must first contact the Oxford Planning Department at City Hall located at 200 South Lamar Boulevard to submit a short-term rental application, which typically requires a completed application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a site plan showing parking arrangements, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), a floor plan of the rental unit, and contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of around $100, and you must also obtain a business license from the City Clerk's office for an additional $50-75. Oxford requires STRs to have adequate off-street parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), comply with occupancy limits (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, and display the permit number in all advertisements. The property must pass a safety inspection checking smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exit plans. The entire process typically takes 4-6 weeks from application submission to permit approval, and you must renew annually by December 31st. Properties within certain residential zoning districts may have additional restrictions, and some areas near the University of Mississippi campus may have enhanced regulations regarding noise and parking requirements.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Oxford, Mississippi, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. Oxford requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that generally limit short-term rentals to commercial and mixed-use districts, while prohibiting them in most residential neighborhoods to preserve community character. The city has implemented occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances that STR properties must follow, along with safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency exits. Property owners must also collect and remit local hotel/motel taxes on STR bookings. Recent years have seen Oxford refine these regulations in response to growth in platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, with the city council periodically reviewing and updating ordinances to balance tourism revenue with neighborhood preservation concerns, particularly in areas near the University of Mississippi campus where student housing and visitor accommodations intersect.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Oxford, Mississippi are the Square District downtown, which attracts tourists visiting the historic courthouse square, literary enthusiasts touring William Faulkner sites, and business travelers; the University of Mississippi campus area including neighborhoods near Fraternity Row and Sorority Row, which generates consistent demand from visiting parents, prospective students, alumni during football weekends and graduation, and academic conferences; the South Lamar Boulevard corridor near restaurants and entertainment venues, appealing to visitors seeking walkable access to Oxford's dining and nightlife scene; and the historic residential areas like the Eastgate and Northgate neighborhoods within 1-2 miles of campus, which offer charm and proximity to both university events and downtown attractions while providing parking and space that hotels cannot match during peak periods like Ole Miss football games, Double Decker Arts Festival, and Oxford Conference for the Book.

In Oxford, Mississippi, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Mississippi state sales tax of 7% applies to short-term rental accommodations, along with an additional state tourism tax of 2%, bringing the total state obligation to 9%. Lafayette County imposes a local hotel/motel tax of 2%, and the City of Oxford adds its own lodging tax of 2%, resulting in a combined local rate of 4%. This creates a total tax burden of approximately 13% on Airbnb bookings in Oxford. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though individual hosts should verify their registration status with the Mississippi Department of Revenue and local tax collectors. Properties rented for 30 days or longer may be exempt from these lodging taxes as they're considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires quarterly remittance of collected taxes, while local authorities may have different filing schedules, and hosts operating independently of Airbnb's collection service must register for tax permits and file returns directly with both state and local tax offices.

To start an Airbnb in Oxford, Mississippi, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and electronics. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees in Lafayette County include business license ($50-$100), short-term rental permit ($200-$500), and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs run $1,200-$2,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility deposits and connections total approximately $500-$800 for electricity, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150-$200/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing budget add roughly $3,000-$5,000 to startup expenses.

Airbnb properties in Oxford, Mississippi show moderate profitability potential, with average annual revenues ranging from $15,000-$35,000 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties near the University of Mississippi campus. Properties within walking distance of Ole Miss generate higher occupancy rates of 65-75% during the academic year, with nightly rates averaging $80-150 depending on football season and graduation periods. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs. Properties like converted historic homes near the Square can achieve profit margins of 25-35%, while suburban listings often see 15-25% margins. Success factors include proximity to campus (properties within 2 miles perform 30% better), game day pricing strategies during football season (rates can triple to $300-500/night), and targeting parents visiting students and business travelers to the university. The market benefits from consistent demand due to Ole Miss enrollment of approximately 22,000 students, though competition has increased significantly since 2019 with over 200 active Airbnb listings in Lafayette County, making property differentiation and professional management crucial for maintaining profitability above 20% net margins.

Airbnb investments in Oxford, Mississippi typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to strong demand from University of Mississippi students, parents, and football game visitors. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near campus or downtown square performing at the higher end. Initial profitability usually occurs within 6-12 months for well-positioned properties, with full investment recovery expected in 5-7 years. Properties within 2 miles of Ole Miss campus command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak periods like football weekends and graduation, while off-season rates average $80-120 nightly. The market benefits from consistent year-round demand with occupancy rates of 65-75%, though investors should account for seasonal fluctuations and higher vacancy during summer months when student demand decreases.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research tools for Oxford, Mississippi. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments include Oxford Realty Group, Cannon Cleary McGraw, and Crye-Leike Realtors who have experience with University of Mississippi area properties. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa provide end-to-end Airbnb investment services including property identification, purchase assistance, and management in the Oxford market. Local property management companies such as Oxford Property Management and Grove Property Management offer specialized STR services, while investment-focused firms like Roofstock and Mashvisor provide data analytics and property sourcing specifically for short-term rental investments near Ole Miss campus and downtown Oxford's historic square area.