Is Salina, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Salina, Kansas, begin by researching local regulations through the Salina Planning and Development Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a conditional use permit and business license, with properties needing to meet specific zoning requirements and safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Contact Salina City Hall at 300 W Ash Street to apply for the necessary permits, which typically cost around $100-200 and require a site inspection. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus or downtown Salina for higher demand, with average property prices ranging from $80,000-150,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable beds, linens, towels, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $5,000-10,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting unique features, set competitive rates based on local market research (typically $60-120 per night in Salina), and write detailed descriptions mentioning proximity to attractions like the Smoky Hill Museum or Rolling Hills Zoo. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guest inquiries, and considering hiring local cleaning services or property management companies if needed, while ensuring compliance with Kansas state tax requirements including collecting and remitting applicable lodging taxes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Salina, Kansas, focus on locations near Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, downtown historic district, and proximity to major employers like Tony's Pizza and Great Plains Manufacturing. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with updated kitchens, reliable HVAC systems, and parking availability, as these appeal to business travelers and visiting families. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against the local market, which typically sees rates between $75-150 per night depending on property size and amenities. Research competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within 5-mile radius, noting occupancy patterns and guest reviews to identify service gaps. Utilize tools like Rabbu for market analysis, connect with Salina Area Chamber of Commerce for local insights, monitor Kansas Wesleyan University and K-State Polytechnic event calendars for demand drivers, and leverage local real estate agents familiar with investment properties. Consider properties near Salina Regional Health Center and Schilling Air Force Base heritage sites, as medical tourism and military-related visits provide consistent demand streams in this central Kansas market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Salina, Kansas, contact the Salina Planning and Development Department at City Hall located at 300 W Ash Street or call (785) 309-5765 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental permit application, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, submit a site plan showing the property layout, provide proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), pass a fire safety inspection, and include contact information for a local property manager if you're not local. Required documents include a valid Kansas driver's license or state ID, property tax records, utility bills, and photographs of all rooms and exits. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an additional $75-100 for the required fire inspection. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks from application submission to permit approval, including scheduling and completing the fire inspection. Salina requires STR properties to maintain a guest registry, post emergency contact information visibly, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, provide adequate parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), and ensure the property manager can respond to complaints within 30 minutes if local or within 2 hours if non-local. Annual permit renewal is required with a reduced fee of approximately $75-100.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Salina, Kansas, as the city has not implemented a comprehensive ban on such accommodations. However, STR operators must comply with standard zoning regulations and business licensing requirements established by the City of Salina. Properties used as short-term rentals typically need to obtain proper business licenses and may be subject to occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances that apply to all residential properties. The city requires STR operators to collect and remit applicable taxes, including transient guest taxes. While there are no specific prohibited areas designated solely for STR restrictions, operators must ensure their properties comply with existing residential zoning laws, which may limit commercial activities in certain neighborhoods. Salina has not enacted recent major legislative changes specifically targeting short-term rentals, but property owners should verify current zoning compliance and business licensing requirements with the city's planning and development department, as local regulations can evolve and enforcement practices may vary across different residential districts within the city limits.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Salina, Kansas include the downtown historic district near Santa Fe Avenue and Iron Avenue, which attracts visitors to the Smoky Hill Museum, Stiefel Theatre, and various cultural events throughout the year. The area around Kansas Wesleyan University on East Claflin Avenue offers strong potential for parent visits, graduation events, and academic conferences. The neighborhoods near Salina Regional Health Center and Salina Family Healthcare Center on Crawford Street provide opportunities for medical tourism and extended-stay patients and families. The industrial corridor along Interstate 70 and Highway 81 intersection serves business travelers visiting companies like Tony's Pizza Service, Great Plains Manufacturing, and Schwan's Company. Additionally, properties near Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park and the Rolling Hills Zoo area attract families during summer months and special events, while the vicinity of Salina Country Club appeals to golf enthusiasts and tournament participants visiting for regional competitions.

In Salina, Kansas, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Kansas state transient guest tax is 6% on gross receipts from lodging rentals under 28 consecutive days, which applies to short-term rentals like Airbnbs. Additionally, Salina imposes a local transient guest tax of 2%, bringing the total lodging tax rate to approximately 8%. These taxes are typically collected by the host at the time of booking or check-in and must be remitted to the Kansas Department of Revenue monthly if collections exceed $400 per month, or quarterly if less. Hosts must register for a Kansas tax account and file returns even if no tax is collected during a reporting period. The city of Salina may also require separate registration and remittance for the local portion of the tax. Exemptions generally include stays of 28 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and rentals to certain government employees on official business. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts in some cases, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify that taxes are being properly handled.

Starting an Airbnb in Salina, Kansas requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $140,000-160,000 based on median home prices in Salina as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $15,000-25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-5,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and city compliance requirements. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental protection costs $2,000-3,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable run $800-1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($100-150 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($200/month), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $8,000-12,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for Salina's market.

Airbnb properties in Salina, Kansas typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 for entire homes and $35-50 for private rooms, resulting in monthly revenues of $800-1,500 for well-managed properties with 50-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($80-120 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($100-150 monthly), and maintenance costs typically consume 40-60% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins between 15-35% for successful operators. Properties near Kansas State University extension programs, downtown business district, or along I-70 corridor perform better, with some investors like those managing 3-4 bedroom homes near Salina Regional Health Center reporting annual profits of $3,000-8,000 per property. Success factors include competitive pricing below $80/night, professional photography, quick response times, and targeting business travelers and family visitors, though the market remains limited compared to larger Kansas cities, with seasonal fluctuations affecting winter occupancy rates that can drop to 30-40% during December-February periods.

Airbnb investments in Salina, Kansas typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in Salina, with median home prices around $120,000-$180,000, can achieve average daily rates of $65-$85 and occupancy rates of 45-60% annually, driven by business travelers visiting local companies like Tony's Pizza and Schwan's, plus visitors to Kansas Wesleyan University and Smoky Hill Museum. Initial investment requirements including down payment, furnishing, and setup costs typically range from $30,000-$50,000 for a standard 2-3 bedroom property, with most investors reaching profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning fees, and platform commissions. The relatively stable rental market in Salina, combined with lower property acquisition costs compared to major metropolitan areas, creates favorable conditions for achieving positive cash flow within the first year of operation, though seasonal fluctuations may impact monthly performance with stronger bookings during spring and summer months.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Salina, Kansas. In the Salina area, local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Antrim-Piper-Wenger and RE/MAX Associates often work with investors seeking rental properties, while Century 21 and Keller Williams agents throughout Kansas frequently assist with investment property acquisitions. National services include AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for property analytics, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Local property management companies such as Salina Property Management and Kansas Property Solutions can provide insights into rental markets and may help identify investment opportunities. National investment-focused platforms like Roofstock, HomeUnion, and Awning specialize in turnkey rental properties, though their Salina inventory may be limited. Local commercial real estate firms and investment groups in the Salina-McPherson County area, along with regional Kansas real estate investment associations, often have connections to off-market properties suitable for short-term rental conversion.