Lawton, Oklahoma Short-Term Rental Market
Lawton, OK STRs averaged $161/night at 45.5% occupancy in April 2026, with a 98.97 investability score and an estimated 18.3% gross yield on typical home values.
Quick Answer: Lawton, Oklahoma is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 54%. average monthly revenue is $2,775. average daily rate is $187. the top operator is Evolve with 225 listings. market score is 89/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Oklahoma Area regional market, which includes Lawton. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Lawton.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Lawton, OK short-term rental market blends military, nature, and cultural tourism anchored by Fort Sill and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The area draws approximately 2 million visitors annually. The market reported 5,956 active listings as of the latest snapshot. In April 2026, listings averaged $161 per night at 45.5% occupancy, producing a RevPAR of $73. All three year-over-year metrics showed mild softening through April 2026: occupancy declined 0.43%, ADR fell 1.02%, and revenue decreased 2.63%. Supply is almost entirely entire-place units: 5,693 of 5,956 listings (95.6%) are entire-place rentals, with 260 private rooms and 3 shared rooms. By bedroom count, 1-bedroom properties lead with 1,831 listings, followed by 3-bedroom (1,704), 2-bedroom (1,528), 4-bedroom (605), and 5-bedroom (265). Channel distribution is Airbnb-dominant: 3,137 listings on Airbnb only, 2,430 on both platforms, and 389 on VRBO only. The market scored 88.9 overall on the investability index, with an exceptional investability sub-score of 98.97, reflecting the market’s unusually favorable return profile relative to home acquisition costs.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35% | $120 | $1,311 |
| Feb | 42% | $120 | $1,276 |
| Mar | 50% | $148 | $1,907 |
| Apr | 44% | $144 | $1,744 |
| May | 50% | $161 | $2,068 |
| Jun | 55% | $179 | $2,630 |
| Jul | 56% | $183 | $2,841 |
| Aug | 46% | $162 | $2,150 |
| Sep | 43% | $155 | $1,821 |
| Oct | 46% | $154 | $2,006 |
| Nov | 45% | $153 | $1,868 |
| Dec | 40% | $143 | $1,701 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Lawton
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 225 | 8,391 | ★ 4.78 |
| 2 | LakeStay Vacation | 90 | 2,159 | ★ 4.87 |
| 3 | Stevens realty | 50 | 1,635 | ★ 4.10 |
| 4 | Ryan Busse | 40 | 1,113 | ★ 4.77 |
| 5 | Willow Springs Marina and Resort | 39 | 1,814 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Lawton?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,831 |
| 2 bed | 1,528 |
| 3 bed | 1,704 |
| 4 bed | 605 |
| 5 bed | 265 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $190 |
| Luxury | $364 |
| Professionally Managed | $264 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,845 |
| Entire Place | $2,824 |
| House | $3,033 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.7% |
| vrbo | 6.5% |
| both | 40.8% |
Investment Analysis
Lawton presents one of the highest gross yield profiles in the dataset, driven by very affordable acquisition costs. The Zillow typical home value was $141,667 as of April 2026, with a median sale price of $142,915 and a median list price of $154,667 against 400 active for-sale listings. The sale-to-list ratio of 0.924 and 30-day median time to pending indicate a measured market with room to negotiate. Using the 2025 full-year average of $2,159 per month, annualized revenue is approximately $25,900, implying a gross yield of about 18.3% against the $141,667 typical home value, substantially higher than most US STR markets. These are pre-expense gross figures; operating costs (property management, taxes, maintenance, occupancy tax remittance, and license fees) will reduce net returns significantly, but the margin of advantage over higher-cost markets is considerable. Tier premiums are pronounced: luxury-tier properties averaged $318 per night versus the all-listings ADR of $161 (a 97% premium), and professionally managed properties averaged $180 per night. By property type, houses generate approximately $2,152 per month versus $2,050 for entire-place listings and $1,567 for apartments. Fort Sill’s graduation cycles and military relocation (Permanent Change of Station) patterns provide counter-cyclical demand that helps sustain year-round occupancy.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Lawton-area guests book an average of 43 days in advance, giving operators a roughly 6-week pricing window before arrival. The average length of stay is 3.77 nights, slightly longer than a standard weekend, consistent with a market that blends leisure visits (Wichita Mountains hiking and climbing trips) with military-related stays (relatives visiting during Fort Sill graduation or training cycles). At 45.5% occupancy across a 30-day month (approximately 13.7 occupied nights), a typical listing sees about 4 completed guest stays per month at the 3.77-night average. The Fort Sill demand component is notably counter-cyclical: military PCS moves and graduation ceremonies create midweek and off-peak booking patterns less sensitive to weekend-leisure pricing peaks, providing revenue support through typically slow periods.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Lawton requires all short-term rental operators to hold a valid Short-Term Rental License under Ordinance No. 22-18, issued by the City of Lawton Building Division. The annual registration fee is $57.50. Operators must collect and remit the city’s 7% Hotel and Transient Guest (occupancy) tax monthly for all occupied nights; the city began actively enforcing collection from STR operators on November 1, 2023. Oklahoma state sales tax of 4.5% also applies on rental income. Operating rules include a maximum of two guests per bedroom, no renters under age 18, and a prohibition on serving meals or cooking in bedrooms. No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement and no annual night cap were found in available records. The city maintains a 24/7 complaint hotline (580-360-0713). Early compliance was low, the city identified approximately 264 STRs operating with very few registrations as of 2023 and subsequently increased enforcement and outreach. New operators should register with the city portal, establish monthly tax remittance, and confirm zoning eligibility with the Lawton Planning Department before listing.
Market Comparison
Against US STR market medians of approximately 55% occupancy and $220 ADR, Lawton operates at below-median metrics on both occupancy (45.5%) and rate ($161) in April 2026. The market’s standout differentiator is its gross yield: at approximately 18.3% against a $141,667 typical home value, it significantly outperforms higher-cost markets on a return-to-investment basis. The investability sub-score of 98.97 is among the highest in the dataset. Evolve leads professionally managed inventory with 225 listings and 8,391 reviews at a 4.78 average rating. LakeStay Vacation holds second with 90 listings and a 4.87 rating across 2,159 reviews. Stevens Realty ranks third with 50 listings and a 4.10 rating. Together the top three operators manage approximately 365 of 5,956 active listings, representing about 6.1% of the market. The majority of operators are independent hosts, consistent with a market where low home prices enable individual investor entry without institutional competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lawton, Oklahoma
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