A well-positioned short-term rental in Branson, Missouri is estimated to gross $42,000 - $88,000 a year, at an average daily rate of $195 - $330 and annual occupancy of 55% - 64%. Net cash flow after a full expense load and debt service typically lands between $11,000 - $30,000. Those are estimates for illustration rather than a projection for any specific property.
Branson short-term rental numbers for 2026
| Metric | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| Entry price | $320,000 - $700,000 |
| Average daily rate | $195 - $330 |
| Annual occupancy | 55% - 64% |
| Gross annual revenue | $42,000 - $88,000 |
| Net cash flow after debt service | $11,000 - $30,000 |
| Peak season | April through October, with a strong Christmas season |
| Do we buy here? | Yes, this is an active market for us. |
Figures are estimates assembled from our own closings and active-listing comparables, offered for illustration. They are not projections for any specific property, and actual performance varies with location, condition, amenities, management, and season.
What drives demand in Branson
Branson runs on family entertainment: live theatres, Silver Dollar City, and Table Rock Lake. The guest is value conscious and travels in groups, so capacity matters more than finish level, and the market rewards clean and functional over designed.
The Christmas season here is a genuine second peak rather than a holiday bump, which smooths the year more than most seasonal markets.
Regulation in Branson
Missouri does not preempt local regulation, and Branson and Taney County have added permitting and inspection requirements over recent years. Rules are workable but the trend has been toward more oversight rather than less, which is worth factoring into a long hold.
Regulation is a pass or fail gate, not a factor to weigh against revenue. Confirm the rules for the specific parcel and the HOA before you write an offer, because county-level permissiveness frequently does not apply inside city limits. See how to check STR regulations before buying.
What a deal has to clear here
- Revenue supported by real comps. Eight to twelve active listings within one bedroom of the subject, live at least twelve months, underwritten to the median rather than the mean.
- Cash flow after a full expense load. Management at market rate, cleaning, supplies, utilities, insurance at short-term rental rates, property tax at the reassessed value, and debt service at the rate you will actually get.
- A reserve sized to the trough. Peak season is April through October, with a strong Christmas season. Model the worst three consecutive months against fixed costs, because those costs do not pause.
- Regulatory headroom. A permit you can actually obtain, in a jurisdiction that is not mid-moratorium, with governing documents that permit nightly stays.
- An exit that does not depend on the STR premium. If the only buyer is another short-term rental investor, you carry regulatory risk twice.
Our take on Branson
Yes. The low cost basis produces some of the strongest gross yields we track, and the trade is a lower rate ceiling and a guest base that is more price sensitive than in a premium leisure market.
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Frequently asked questions
How much can you make on Airbnb in Branson?
A well-positioned short-term rental in Branson is estimated to gross $42,000 - $88,000 a year, at an average daily rate of $195 - $330 and annual occupancy of 55% - 64%. Net cash flow after a full expense load and debt service typically lands in the $11,000 - $30,000 range. Figures are estimates for illustration, and actual performance varies with location, capacity, amenities, and management.
What does it cost to buy a short-term rental in Branson?
Entry prices in Branson generally run $320,000 - $700,000 for property that can compete in the nightly rental market. On top of the purchase you should budget closing costs, furnishing of roughly $20,000 to $45,000 depending on size, and an operating reserve sized to the shoulder season.
Is Branson a good short-term rental market in 2026?
Yes. The low cost basis produces some of the strongest gross yields we track, and the trade is a lower rate ceiling and a guest base that is more price sensitive than in a premium leisure market.
What is the peak season in Branson?
Peak demand runs April through October, with a strong Christmas season. Because fixed costs continue through the shoulder months, the reserve requirement should be modelled against the worst three consecutive months rather than against the annual average.