Starkville

As of June 2026, Starkville, Oxford, Tupelo have 576 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 19% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Starkville generates $23K per year. High-performing properties earn $51K/year, while low-performing properties earn $10K/year. Supply has grown nearly 19% year-over-year while revenue declined 22%, indicating intensifying competition for a market with modest 27% occupancy. The substantial gap between high and average performers suggests significant variance in execution rather than uniform market constraints.

Average home prices in Starkville vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $17K, 2-bedroom homes average $91K, 3-bedroom properties are around $139K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $208K. These prices reflect median home values across the Starkville, Oxford, Tupelo area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Starkville, with an average gross yield of 16% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 36%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. However, rising supply coupled with declining revenue and low 27% occupancy signals intensifying competition, while the significant performance gap between high and average yields suggests market winners are increasingly differentiated from the rest.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Starkville is 27%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $206, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $47 per day.

1-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Starkville, with an average gross yield of 81% and annual revenue of $13K. These properties balance purchase price ($17K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Starkville market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Starkville area. Starkville: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permit requirements. Operates under general business license and zoning rules. Minimal enforcement. Oxford: Moderate. Business license required, must comply with zoning (restricted in some residential areas). Owner-occupancy required in R-1 zones. Moderate enforcement through complaints. Tupelo: Lenient. No dedicated STR ordinance. General business license and zoning compliance expected. Light enforcement, mostly complaint-driven. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Starkville Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing oversaturated conditions. Supply has grown 19% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 22%. This indicates supply growth outpacing demand, pressuring returns. The wide revenue gap between high-performing ($50,824) and average ($22,902) properties suggests differentiation is increasingly important as competition intensifies. With occupancy at 27%, market-wide excess capacity is constraining pricing power across the board.

Launch around June, 2-3 months before peak fall season (September peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -10% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Starkville listings include: Air Conditioning (99%), Kitchen (94%), Tv (93%), Washing Machine (85%), Heating (75%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Lake Access, Tv, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 47% more ($40K/year vs $27K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Starkville over the last 12 months: May: $2K, June: $1K, July: $1K, August: $2K, September: $2K, October: $1K, November: $2K, December: $967, January: $702, February: $937, March: $1K, April: $2K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Starkville is $206, up 10% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $130/night, 2-bedroom properties average $176/night, 3-bedroom properties average $247/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $427/night. Rates peak in September and are lowest in January.

Guests in Starkville book an average of 24 days in advance, down 28% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 19 days, 2-bedroom: 24 days, 3-bedroom: 27 days, 4+ bedroom: 28 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Starkville Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 19%, revenue per listing decreased 22%, occupancy fell 15%, average nightly rates increased 10%, and lead time decreased 28%. The supply surge outpacing demand signals intensifying competition, while the significant gap between average revenue ($22,902) and top performers ($50,824) indicates highly uneven market distribution where property differentiation drives disproportionate returns.

In Starkville, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 60% higher occupancy than weekdays.