Kansas City, Kansas Short-Term Rental Market
Permit required in Kansas City, KS; metro STRs hit $186 ADR, 64.1% occupancy, $3,249 revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Kansas City, Kansas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Kansas City market area is 64%. average monthly revenue in the Kansas City market area is $3,249. average daily rate in the Kansas City market area is $186. the top operator in the Kansas City market area is Karat Vacation Rental Management with 102 listings. market score is 94/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the wider Kansas City market, which covers 16 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Kansas City.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Performance figures on this page describe the Kansas City metro STR market, which is tracked at a shared level rather than Kansas City, Kansas alone. Kansas City, KS (Wyandotte County, population 155,135) sits inside that metro. In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings was $186, occupancy was 64.1%, and average monthly revenue was $3,249 per listing. Year over year, occupancy rose 4.3%, ADR rose 27.3%, and revenue rose 12.7%. Through the first nine months of 2026, occupancy averaged 60.9%, ADR averaged $204, and monthly revenue averaged $3,387, compared with 64.2% occupancy, $159 ADR, and $2,890 monthly revenue for full year 2025. Growth this year has come mostly from rate rather than occupancy. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Visit KC expected to bring about 650,000 unique visits to the metro between June 11 and July 19, overlaps with this period. Demand in Kansas City, KS is anchored by the Village West district, which includes Legends Outlets, Kansas Speedway, Hollywood Casino, Great Wolf Lodge, and Children’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City. The greater Kansas City metro drew a record 28.4 million visitors in 2023 and more than 28 million in 2024, according to Visit KC. Wyandotte County accounted for roughly 6% of regional visitor spending. A visitor count for Kansas City, KS alone is not published. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Kansas City, KS, so this profile omits them. The typical home value in the city is $206,133, which keeps entry costs modest next to the revenue figures above.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 50% |
| Feb | 56% |
| Mar | 63% |
| Apr | 60% |
| May | 65% |
| Jun | 69% |
| Jul | 69% |
| Aug | 61% |
| Sep | 61% |
| Oct | 62% |
| Nov | 57% |
| Dec | 58% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Kansas City are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Kansas City market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Kansas City market as a whole, which includes Kansas City, so these counts are not Kansas City-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karat Vacation Rental Management | 102 | 9,506 | ★ 4.73 |
| 2 | Cozy in KC | 93 | 10,766 | ★ 4.84 |
| 3 | OwlStays | 86 | 3,487 | ★ 4.57 |
| 4 | Short Term Rental Manager | 76 | 1,272 | ★ 4.84 |
| 5 | Evolve | 59 | 2,054 | ★ 4.63 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Kansas City?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Kansas City are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 55.3% |
| vrbo | 4.9% |
| both | 39.8% |
Home Value Trends (Kansas City)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Kansas City are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Kansas City — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are legal in Kansas City, KS, which is governed by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, but they are regulated as a commercial use. A permit is required, and hosts need approval from the Planning & Urban Design Department. Non-owner-occupied rentals require a Special Use Permit, and under Ordinance O-49-23 only one non-owner-occupied STR is allowed per block face. Owner-occupied rentals have no per-block cap. The city does not require owner occupancy or a primary residence, and no annual night limit is listed. For the 2026 World Cup, the Unified Government adopted a temporary administrative license for the major-event period of May 4 through July 31, 2026, with a fee of about $50 and a 3-business-day decision. During that period the one-per-block limit was suspended. Because that window has closed, hosts should confirm with Planning & Urban Design which rules apply today before buying. Guests pay a 10% Wyandotte County transient guest tax, effective April 1, 2026, in addition to standard state and local sales taxes on lodging. This is separate from Kansas City, MO’s lodging tax. Enforcement is rated moderate. Violation fines were set at roughly $1,000 to $15,000 per violation, and each day may count as a separate violation. Penalties for operating without a valid license are real, so confirm eligibility before listing.
Market Comparison
Kansas City, KS sits inside the Kansas City metro STR market, where September 2026 occupancy was 64.1% and the all-listings ADR was $186, with entire homes at $201 and luxury listings at $382. The market’s momentum is notable: a 27.3% ADR gain year over year shows rates catching up to demand. Entry costs also help the comparison, with a typical home value of $206,133 in Kansas City, KS. Buyers here pay less per property while still earning $3,249 in average monthly revenue. The trade-off is seasonality, with a 19.2-point occupancy gap between June and January, and a permit process that limits where non-owner-occupied rentals can operate. Operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Kansas City, KS, so this profile omits them. Overall, the market offers solid occupancy, a moderate price point, and rising rates, balanced against regulatory steps that investors should plan for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kansas City, Kansas
What is the average Airbnb occupancy in the Kansas City, KS area?
How much do short-term rentals earn per month in Kansas City, KS?
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Kansas City, KS?
What taxes apply to short-term rental guests in Kansas City, KS?
What are the penalties for operating without a license in Kansas City, KS?
What are the best and worst months for STR income in the Kansas City area?
How much does a home cost in Kansas City, KS?
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