Boston

As of May 2026, Boston, Cambridge, Salem, Plymouth have 6,693 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 9% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Boston generates $47K per year. High-performing properties earn $109K/year, while low-performing properties earn $24K/year. The substantial revenue gap indicates that market polarization is extreme, suggesting that top-tier assets are capturing outsized demand while average units struggle to maintain competitive positioning.

Average home prices in Boston vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $388K, 2-bedroom homes average $584K, 3-bedroom properties are around $731K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $952K. These prices reflect median home values across the Boston, Cambridge, Salem, Plymouth area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Boston, with an average gross yield of 5% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 13%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This wide yield variance highlights a market where profitability is highly sensitive to operational efficiency and asset-specific performance rather than broad market trends.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Boston is 41%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $302, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $86 per day.

2-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Boston, with an average gross yield of 8% and annual revenue of $49K. These properties balance purchase price ($584K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Boston market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Boston area. Boston: Strict. Owner-occupancy required, 120-day cap for entire units, registration mandatory, $300 fee. Active enforcement with fines up to $300/day for violations. Cambridge: Strict. Owner-occupancy required, registration mandatory, annual fee $250. Active enforcement, regular audits of platforms, significant penalties. Salem: Moderate. Registration required, $100 fee, no owner-occupancy rule but zoning restrictions apply. Moderate enforcement, some illegal operators persist. Plymouth: Lenient. Basic registration and local tax collection required. Light enforcement, many hosts operate informally without issues. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Boston Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 9% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 3%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. With both metrics contracting simultaneously, the market is exhibiting a consolidation phase where declining supply is currently failing to offset the downward pressure on per-unit revenue.

Launch around July, 2-3 months before peak fall season (October peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -43% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (December-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Boston listings include: Air Conditioning (97%), Kitchen (93%), Tv (88%), Heating (78%), Washing Machine (74%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Washing Machine, Pets Allowed, with Bbq properties earning approximately 23% more ($80K/year vs $65K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Boston over the last 12 months: May: $3K, June: $3K, July: $3K, August: $3K, September: $3K, October: $4K, November: $3K, December: $2K, January: $1K, February: $1K, March: $2K, April: $3K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Boston is $302, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $195/night, 2-bedroom properties average $295/night, 3-bedroom properties average $399/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $612/night. Rates peak in October and are lowest in February.

Guests in Boston book an average of 37 days in advance, down 16% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 34 days, 2-bedroom: 37 days, 3-bedroom: 43 days, 4+ bedroom: 44 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Boston Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 9%, revenue per listing decreased 3%, occupancy fell 9%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 16%. These shifts point to a pricing-led strategy where hosts are compensating for lower volume and occupancy through aggressive rate hikes.

In Boston, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 28% higher occupancy than weekdays.