Judith Golditch became an Airbnb host with her husband Gary six years ago. The two have since found that people from all over the world visit Swampscott for its local restaurants and peaceful beaches, Halloween in Salem, or simply to return to their hometown.
“I find it very interesting and love to meet people from all over the world who come to our lovely town and discover the beauty that we have to offer,” Golditch, who hosts a house she calls “Ten Bay View Drive” on the site, told the Swampscott Tides. “All in all it has been a great experience being an Airbnb host.”
Airbnb has created an economy of its own, both in Swampscott and far beyond. Founded in 2008, the company has gained a significant presence in the seaside town, with many listings concentrated between the town sign on Lynn Shore Drive, Blodgett Park and Norfolk Avenue.
“Airbnb is helping expand access to Massachusetts coastal towns like Swampscott for families looking not to break the bank this summer,” Britte McBride, Airbnb New England public policy manager, told the Swampscott Tides.
The idea of Airbnb rentals, however, does not face any regulations beyond taxes in Swampscott.
Swampscott’s zoning bylaws contain no language addressing Airbnb or other short-term rentals, according to Senior Planner Christa McGaha. The bylaws do not define or regulate short-term rentals as a distinct land use, nor do they include provisions specific to platforms such as Airbnb.
While there are regulations for uses like “Bed and Breakfast Establishments” and “Travel and Tourist Lodging Establishments,” McGaha told the Swampscott Tides that “it does not expressly classify or regulate short-term rentals within those categories.”
“As a result, there are currently no zoning provisions that are specific to Airbnb-type rentals,” McGaha said.
That said, the town does impose a rooms tax of 6% and a short-term rental impact fee of 3%, which Director of Finance Patrick Luddy said apply to Airbnb rentals.
While the Airbnb hosts may be facing taxes, McBride argued Airbnb helps travelers manage rising costs. Airbnb suggests that in nearly 38% of Massachusetts coastal towns, Airbnb rentals are often the only affordable accommodation options.
In Swampscott, Airbnb stays average about $1,670 for a six-night stay during July or August.
While Swampscott is considering a hotel at the former Hadley School site, nearby hotels — including Hotel Salem and the Hilton — average about $2,023 for a six-night stay during July or August.
“Many of our guests grew up in Swampscott and are visiting family,” said Cynthia Nunan, who hosts Vacation by the Sea with her husband Kieran. “They are so happy to find a nice cozy place to enjoy their hometown.”
McBride also suggested the Airbnb guests’ money goes further by booking through her company’s site.
“The Bay State is leading the nation in helping Airbnb guests’ dollars go further, as 79% of families report concerns about the rising cost of travel,” McBride said. “We’re proud to help ease this burden while giving Massachusetts residents a critical way to earn vital supplemental income and driving economic opportunity across the state.”
For Nicole Dooley, she said the financial impact was one of the reasons she started out as an Airbnb host.
“When our long-term tenant moved out of our first home, we decided to try Airbnb while we figured out our next steps,” Dooley said. “The home booked almost immediately, and we just kept going.”
According to a 2024 Airbnb survey, 49% of hosts said the additional income helped them stay in their homes, while 71% said they rely on hosting to keep up with rising living costs.
Airbnb also told the Swampscott Tides that its hosts contributed nearly $1.3 billion to Massachusetts’ GDP in 2025, generated about $327 million in tax revenue and supported roughly 13,000 jobs.
“One of the things I’ve loved most about hosting is getting to introduce people to Swampscott. truly think it’s one of the North Shore’s hidden gems,” Dooley said. “Many guests book because they plan to spend time in Boston or Salem, but once they arrive, they realize Swampscott is a destination in its own right. They fall in love with our beautiful coastline, the farmers market, walks along Humphrey Street and Lynn Shore Drive, and our incredible local restaurants.”
And as Swampscott grapples with housing availability and new apartment developments, short-term rentals appear to have had little effect on housing costs. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Urban Economics found Airbnb had an “extremely small impact” — if any — on housing prices in Los Angeles.
“I love being an Airbnb host because it allows me to share the magic of the North Shore,” Nunan said. “Swampscott offers the perfect coastal escape. We are right by the ocean, yet only a quick train ride away from Boston and historic Salem.”
