Independence, Missouri Short-Term Rental Market
Kansas City metro STRs averaged $186 ADR, 64.1% occupancy and $3,249 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Independence, Missouri 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 100 listings. market score is 94/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Kansas City regional market, which includes Independence. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Independence.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Independence, Missouri sits in the Kansas City metro, and the short-term rental performance figures on this page describe the Kansas City metro STR market. In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings was $186 and occupancy was 64.1%, producing average monthly revenue of $3,249 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 4.3%, ADR is up 27.3%, and revenue is up 12.7%. The ADR gain is far larger than the occupancy gain, which means rate increases, not extra booked nights, drove most of the revenue growth. In the latest month, entire places earned an average of $3,525, houses averaged $3,602, and apartments averaged $2,480. Year to date, 2026 covers nine months and shows 60.9% occupancy, a $204 ADR, and $3,387 in monthly revenue. For comparison, full year 2025 recorded 64.2% occupancy, a $159 ADR, and $2,892 in monthly revenue, while 2021 recorded 64.5% occupancy at a $123 ADR. Local demand is anchored by history tourism. Independence is the hometown of President Harry S. Truman, and visitors come for the Truman Library & Museum, the Truman National Historic Site, and the National Frontier Trails Museum. Event guests use Cable Dahmer Arena, and the city is preparing for 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Kansas City and its 2027 bicentennial. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Independence, so this profile omits them. All metrics run through September 2026.
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 Independence 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 Independence, so these counts are not Independence-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karat Vacation Rental Management | 100 | 9,523 | ★ 4.72 |
| 2 | Cozy in KC | 93 | 10,800 | ★ 4.84 |
| 3 | OwlStays | 85 | 3,517 | ★ 4.54 |
| 4 | Short Term Rental Manager | 76 | 1,278 | ★ 4.84 |
| 5 | Evolve | 59 | 2,064 | ★ 4.60 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Independence?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Independence 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 | 55.4% |
| vrbo | 4.7% |
| both | 40% |
Home Value Trends (Independence)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Independence 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 Independence — 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
Independence permits short-term rentals through a discretionary permit process. Operators must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit that is reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission. Applications go through an online portal and must include an Evacuation Plan, a Floor Plan, and a Parking Plan, with the fee paid through Stripe. The permit fee and renewal period are not published on the main STR page, so investors should confirm them with the city. The main barrier is a spacing rule: no STR may be located within 500 feet of an existing STR, and applicants are urged to call the Community Development Department at 816-325-7823 before applying to confirm the address qualifies. The city does not publicly state an owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement, and no annual night cap is published. Non-owner-occupied homes and accessory dwelling units may also fall under the Rental Ready Program under Chapter 4 of the City Code. Operators must collect and remit the 6.5% transient guest tax on stays of 30 nights or fewer, filed monthly with the Finance Department. Enforcement is rated moderate and runs through an online complaint system handled by Business License staff. In November 2025 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7189, which set temporary STR rules for June 1 to July 30, 2026 to handle World Cup visitor demand. Verify current rules with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
September 2026 occupancy in the Kansas City metro STR market was 64.1% at a $186 ADR. ADR is up 27.3% year over year, and the 2026 year to date ADR of $204 is above the full year 2025 ADR of $159. The entire-place ADR of $201 and the luxury tier ADR of $382 show room above the average. Independence adds a distinct demand source in history and heritage tourism, with the Truman Library & Museum, the Truman National Historic Site, and the National Frontier Trails Museum, plus 1,600+ hotel rooms in the city that compete for the same visitors. Operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Independence, so this profile omits them. The city population is 121,444.
Frequently Asked Questions About Independence, Missouri
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