Waco, Texas Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Waco 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
    6.6
  • Competition

    6.1
  • Real Estate Cost

    8.8
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    5.8
  • Rental Rates

    5.7

Waco, Texas 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
138,486
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Mclennan
Airports
TSTC Waco Airport (CNW)
Waco Regional Airport (ACT)
Review our Waco Texas short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Waco?

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 Waco rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Waco rental market.

City Activities

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

City Attractions

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

Waco 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 Waco guests.

Interested in other Texas cities?

Check out the Texas Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Waco a great place to invest?

  • Magnolia Market at the Silos: Shop, eat, and relax in style at Chip and Joanna Gaines' wildly popular Magnolia Market at the Silos. This beautifully designed market features unique home decor, artisan crafts, and delicious eats, making it a true haven for fans of their hit TV show, "Fixer Upper."
  • Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum: Step back in time and immerse yourself in the legendary history of the Texas Rangers at this fascinating museum. With exhibits showcasing firearms, badges, and artifacts, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the brave men and women who have served Texas since 1823.
  • Waco Mammoth National Monument: Marvel at the awe-inspiring Ice Age fossils discovered right here in Waco! This incredible site offers an up-close look at the remains of Columbian mammoths, giving visitors a glimpse into the prehistoric world that once existed in Central Texas.
  • Cameron Park Zoo: Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at this 52-acre natural habitat zoo. Home to over 1,700 animals representing 300 species, Cameron Park Zoo lets you explore the wonders of the animal kingdom, from the lush Amazon rainforest to the African savannah.
  • Outdoor Activities at Brazos River: Unleash your adventurous spirit on the picturesque Brazos River. With options for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and hiking along its scenic trails, this beautiful river offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • McLane Stadium: Experience the exhilarating energy of college football at its finest at McLane Stadium, home to the Baylor Bears. Join the sea of green and gold, and cheer on one of Texas' most beloved sports teams as they battle it out on the gridiron.

Waco Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Waco?

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 Waco has increased 4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $178, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$252,785

4% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$178

4% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,513

2% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Waco, Texas

Word Cloud for Waco, Texas Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Waco 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 Waco has a description approximately 1,436 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 959 listings in Waco, 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 Waco, Magnolia, Downtown Waco, Place, Outdoor, Baylor University, Beautiful, Comfortable, Perfect, and Block.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Waco?

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 Waco involve going to the Zoo, Museums, Antiquing, Water Parks, and the City Centre. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Zoo

Museums

Antiquing

Water Parks

City Centre

Kayaking

Hiking

Boating

Adventure Activities

Swimming

Water Sports

Health Spa

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Waco, including Magnolia Market at the Silos, Baylor University, Waco Convention Center, Extraco Events Center, and Cameron Park Zoo. 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

Magnolia Market at the Silos

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

Baylor University

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Waco Convention Center

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Extraco Events Center

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Cameron Park Zoo

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Dr. Pepper Museum

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

McLane Stadium

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Lake Waco

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Included on most listings

Local Landmark

Central Texas Market Place

Included on most listings

Local Landmark

Homestead Heritage

Included on most listings

Local Landmark

Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Hillcrest

Included on 50% of listings

What’s the weather like in Waco, Texas?

The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 78°, while the average low is about 58°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 30 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Waco 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

41° Low 61° High

Precipitation
6.5"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.7 days
Cloudiness
43%

Spring

March through May

58° Low 78° High

Precipitation
9.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
22.1 days
Cloudiness
38%

Summer

June through August

75° Low 95° High

Precipitation
6.4"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
71.4 days
Cloudiness
33%

Fall

September through November

59° Low 80° High

Precipitation
8.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
25.2 days
Cloudiness
32%