Boston vs Kansas City
Massachusetts Legal but Limited | Missouri Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Boston, Massachusetts | Kansas City, Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $25 registration fee | $250/year permit fee |
| Tax Rate | 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax | 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | No — host must remit |
| Max Fine Example | $300/day for unregistered listing | $500/offense for operating without permit |
| Verdict | Kansas City has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Boston, Massachusetts
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $25 registration fee
Tax Rate 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unregistered listing
Kansas City, Missouri
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year permit fee
Tax Rate 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500/offense for operating without permit
Kansas City has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Boston Overview
Only primary-residence units may be listed as STRs. Investor-owned (non-owner-occupied) short-term rentals are prohibited. Must register with the city and carry $1M liability insurance.
Full Boston guide →Kansas City Overview
Short-term rental permits required for all listings. Both owner-occupied and investor-owned properties are eligible. Must maintain guest registry and provide local emergency contact within 30 minutes.
Full Kansas City guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Boston or Kansas City?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Kansas City is "Legal with Permit." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to $250/year permit fee in Kansas City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or Kansas City?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while Kansas City charges 7.5% Transient Guest Tax + sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. Kansas City: $500/offense for operating without permit.