Midwest5.1% avg cap rateLive · 41 active listings

Lake of the Ozarks, MO

Midwest's biggest party lake — high-volume boating STR market

Lake of the Ozarks is a 1,150-mile shoreline reservoir in central Missouri — the most-visited lake in the Midwest with over 5 million annual visitors. The STR market is dominated by lakefront properties with boat docks, and summer demand from Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago is intense. Entry prices are extremely low relative to returns, producing some of the strongest cash-on-cash returns of any US lakefront market.

5.1%
Avg Cap Rate
Net operating income / price
62%
Avg Occupancy
Annual average
$297
Avg Nightly Rate
All property types
$1.4M
Median Price
STR-viable properties

Estimated Annual Performance

Gross rental revenue
62% occ × $297/night
$67,211
Est. operating expenses
Mgmt, cleaning, supplies, insurance (~40%)
– $26,884
Est. net operating income
Before mortgage & depreciation
$40,327
At median price
Implied cap rate
12.6%

* Estimates based on market averages. Individual property performance varies. Always run a full underwriting analysis.

Why Investors Choose Lake of the Ozarks

1,150 miles of shoreline — largest recreational lake in Missouri
5M+ annual visitors — Midwest's most visited lake destination
Boat dock access adds 30-50% to nightly rate vs. non-dock properties
Lowest lakefront STR entry prices in the US with strong cap rates
Peak season: Memorial Day – Labor Day (peak: July 4th)
Top property types: Lakefront Home, Condo, Cabin, Single Family
Primary zip: 65049, 65065, 65020, 65085

Market averages, not guarantees. Cap rates, occupancy, and nightly rates are market-wide averages based on active STR listings and historical data. Individual property performance depends on location, amenities, management, and listing quality. Always run a full underwriting analysis before purchasing.Stats sourced from 41 active listings · last updated Jun 1, 2026

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