Columbia, Missouri Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Columbia Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    7.1
  • Competition

    9.2
  • Real Estate Cost

    7.8
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    8.9
  • Rental Rates

    2.7

Columbia, Missouri Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
124,769
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Boone
Airports
Columbia Regional Airport (COU)
Jefferson City Memorial Airport (JEF)
Review our Columbia Missouri short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Columbia?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Columbia rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Columbia rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Columbia.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Columbia Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Columbia guests.

Interested in other Missouri cities?

Check out the Missouri Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Columbia a great place to invest?

  1. Vibrant University Town: Home to the prestigious University of Missouri, Columbia boasts a lively atmosphere that caters to both students and visitors alike. The beautiful campus, with its historic buildings and green spaces, is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing the academic and cultural heart of the city.
  2. Thriving Arts Scene: Columbia's vibrant arts community offers a wide variety of experiences, from live music venues to independent theaters and galleries. The True/False Film Festival and Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival are annual highlights, drawing attendees from around the world for documentary films, local cuisine, and top-notch musical performances.
  3. Outdoor Adventures: With numerous parks and trails, such as the scenic MKT Nature and Fitness Trail and Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Columbia is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, cycling, and birdwatching are popular activities, while the park's unique features, like the Devil's Icebox cave, provide unforgettable experiences for adventurers of all ages.
  4. Culinary Delights: Columbia offers an impressive array of dining options, including farm-to-table restaurants, mouthwatering barbecue joints, and diverse international cuisine. The city's farmers market, held on weekends, provides an opportunity for visitors to sample fresh, locally-sourced produce and artisanal goods.
  5. Family-Friendly Attractions: Columbia offers a variety of attractions suitable for the entire family. Spend a day exploring the interactive exhibits at the Columbia Cosmology Center, or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the idyllic Shelter Gardens. The Twin Lakes Recreation Area, with its playgrounds, dog parks, and fishing ponds, is a great place for families to unwind and connect with nature.

Columbia Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Columbia?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Columbia has increased 10% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $168, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$338,246

10% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$168

8% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,129

9% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Columbia, Missouri

Word Cloud for Columbia, Missouri Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Columbia short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Columbia has a description approximately 1,103 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 466 listings in Columbia, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Downtown, Columbia, Place, Patio, Quiet, Cozy, Deck, Perfect, Family, and Stocked.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Columbia?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Columbia involve going to the City Centre, Antiquing, Hiking, Cycling, and Winery Tours. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

City Centre

Antiquing

Hiking

Cycling

Winery Tours

Swimming

Adventure Activities

Museums

Wildlife Viewing

Health Spa

Casinos

Mountain Biking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Columbia, including University of Missouri, Mizzou Arena, Missouri River, Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, and Columbia Mall. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

University of Missouri

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Mizzou Arena

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Columbia Mall

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Women's and Children's Hospital

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Mark Twain National Forest

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Missouri River

Included on 85% of listings

Local Landmark

Missouri State Capitol

Included on 7% of listings

Local Landmark

Isle of Capri Casino

Included on 6% of listings

What’s the weather like in Columbia, Missouri?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 66°, while the average low is about 47°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 35 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 12 inches per year. The humidity levels in Columbia are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

26° Low 43° High

Precipitation
4.5"
Snowfall
9.6"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
52%

Spring

March through May

47° Low 66° High

Precipitation
10.5"
Snowfall
1.5"
Muggy Days
4.4 days
Cloudiness
47%

Summer

June through August

67° Low 86° High

Precipitation
10.9"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
51.6 days
Cloudiness
35%

Fall

September through November

48° Low 67° High

Precipitation
9.2"
Snowfall
1.0"
Muggy Days
8.1 days
Cloudiness
39%