Hochatown vs Broken Bow: Where to Buy an STR Cabin
“Should I buy in Hochatown or Broken Bow?” is one of the first questions investors ask us. The places overlap. Hochatown sits about 10 miles north of the City of Broken Bow on US-259, and most cabin listings in both use a Broken Bow, OK mailing address. For a short-term rental (STR) investor, though, the choice really comes down to three areas: the Town of Hochatown, the City of Broken Bow, and unincorporated McCurtain County. Here’s how they compare, based on public ordinances and what we’ve learned managing rentals here since 2008.
Quick Comparison
| Town of Hochatown | City of Broken Bow | Unincorporated McCurtain County | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR allowed? | Yes, with a town STR license (since July 1, 2024) | Only in C-5 Highway Commercial and Commercial Recreation zones (Ord. 428, Feb 2024), with limited hotel/motel grandfathering | No town or city STR license. Check HOA covenants and county rules. |
| License fee | $300 initial registration + $100 per year | N/A for most residential zones | None at the town or city level |
| Local lodging tax | 4% town lodging tax (since May 1, 2023) | 5% city hotel occupancy charge | 3% county lodging tax |
| Sales tax on lodging | Oklahoma state sales tax plus local sales tax apply to lodging in all three. Hosts register with the Oklahoma Tax Commission for direct bookings. | ||
| Guest appeal | Closest to restaurants, wineries, and attractions near Beavers Bend | In-town services, shopping, and the main highway corridor | Privacy, acreage, and wooded or lake-area settings |
Sources: Town of Hochatown public documents & lodging tax FAQ; City of Broken Bow Code of Ordinances; Cathey v. Board of County Commissioners (OSCN). Rules change, so verify before buying.
The Case for Hochatown
Hochatown is the center of the area’s cabin-rental scene. It sits between Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park, one of Oklahoma’s most visited state parks, with dining and entertainment along US-259. Many guests search for “Hochatown cabins” by name, and being close to attractions is a real selling point.
Trade-offs: competition is heavy, purchase prices for well-located cabins tend to be higher, and you take on a town license and monthly lodging-tax filings. Hochatown has only been a town since November 2022, so its ordinances are still fairly new and could change. Check the town’s latest ordinances before you buy. Browse Hochatown cabins for sale.
The Case for the City of Broken Bow
The City of Broken Bow offers in-town convenience and services. For most residential properties inside city limits, though, Ordinance No. 428 means nightly rentals aren’t permitted unless the property is in a qualifying commercial zone or is a grandfathered hotel or motel. In-town homes usually suit long-term rentals, owner use, or commercial lodging projects better than a typical cabin STR. If an in-city listing is marketed as an STR, ask for its zoning before you go any further.
The Case for Unincorporated “Broken Bow” Cabins
Many of the cabins buyers think of as “Broken Bow cabins” are in unincorporated McCurtain County. That includes many wooded subdivisions off US-259 and areas farther out like Pine Hill & Kiamichi. Areas near Hochatown, such as Carter Mountain, can fall inside or outside town limits, so check the parcel. These can offer more privacy and acreage, and sometimes lower entry prices, without a town STR license. You’ll still owe the county lodging tax and sales tax, and HOA or subdivision covenants may set their own rental rules. Road access and maintenance agreements matter more out here. See Broken Bow cabins for sale.
How to Decide
- Want to be close to attractions and willing to pay for it? Look at Hochatown, and budget for the license and monthly town tax filings.
- Want privacy, acreage, or a lower entry price? Look at unincorporated areas and check road access and covenants.
- Considering an in-town Broken Bow property for nightly rental? Confirm commercial zoning first.
- In every case: build numbers for the specific cabin. Use our mortgage calculator and market report, and read the STR rules guide and our step-by-step investor guide.
Want a second opinion on a specific listing? Call or text Terry Ivie at (214) 578-5185, send us the link, or search live listings.
FAQ: Hochatown vs Broken Bow
How far is Hochatown from Broken Bow?
Hochatown is about 10 miles north of the City of Broken Bow along US-259.
Is Hochatown part of Broken Bow?
No. Hochatown has been its own incorporated town since November 2022, with its own STR license and lodging tax. Many cabins in and around Hochatown still use a Broken Bow, OK mailing address.
Can I run an Airbnb inside Broken Bow city limits?
Only in limited cases. Under Ordinance No. 428 (2024), rentals of fewer than 30 nights are permitted only in C-5 Highway Commercial and Commercial Recreation zones, with grandfathering for established hotels and motels. Confirm zoning with the city.
Which lodging taxes apply to a Hochatown cabin?
Inside town limits, the Town of Hochatown charges a 4% lodging tax on gross rental receipts, and Oklahoma state and local sales taxes also apply. Confirm current rates with the town and the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Which area earns more?
There’s no single answer. Performance depends on the specific cabin’s location, size, amenities, access, and management. We help investors compare actual properties rather than relying on area averages.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Verify with the Town of Hochatown, City of Broken Bow, McCurtain County, and the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Ivie Realty, Oklahoma.