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 Rating6.6
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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)
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.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Waco.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
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
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- Rating: 7.2
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- Rating: 7.0
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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.
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Median Sale Price
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$252,785
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Median per Square Foot
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$178
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,513
Local Short-Term Rental News for Waco
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Waco, Texas
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.
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Zoo
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Museums
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Antiquing
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Water Parks
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City Centre
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Kayaking
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Hiking
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Boating
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Adventure Activities
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Swimming
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Water Sports
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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.
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Well Known Attraction
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Magnolia Market at the Silos
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Baylor University
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Waco Convention Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Extraco Events Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cameron Park Zoo
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Dr. Pepper Museum
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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McLane Stadium
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Lake Waco
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Waco Mammoth National Monument
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Central Texas Market Place
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Homestead Heritage
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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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
Spring
March through May
58° Low 78° High
Summer
June through August
75° Low 95° High
Fall
September through November
59° Low 80° High
Cities Near Waco
Waco, Texas, is located in Mclennan County. Some cities that are located nearby include: