Boston, Massachusetts Short-Term Rental Market
Boston STRs averaged $221/night at 64.8% occupancy in April 2026, driven by owner-occupied listings under one of the strictest STR frameworks in the US.
Quick Answer: Boston, Massachusetts is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Boston market area is 72%. average monthly revenue in the Boston market area is $5,537. average daily rate in the Boston market area is $299. the top operator in the Boston market area is Blueground with 642 listings. market score is 53/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the wider Boston market, which covers 11 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Boston.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Boston operates one of the most restrictive short-term rental regimes in the United States. The city’s 2019 ordinance (Chapter 9-14) limits STRs exclusively to primary residences, effectively excluding investor-owned properties from the legal STR market. Despite this constraint, the market maintains strong metrics: as of April 2026, the average daily rate is $221, occupancy is 64.8%, and RevPAR is $143. Year-over-year, occupancy was essentially flat (-0.2 points), ADR rose 1.1%, and revenue increased 6.1% versus April 2025.
Boston draws approximately 17 million annual visitors, supporting consistent year-round demand across approximately 5,900 tracked listings (predominantly apartments). By listing type, apartments dominate given the urban multifamily character of Boston housing. Channel distribution reflects a city where Airbnb dominates the short-term market. The overall market score reflects high occupancy and revenue performance offset by the most restrictive regulatory score in this batch.
For operators who qualify (primary residents), Boston’s STR market offers exceptional occupancy above 64% with above-median rates in a city that never experiences true off-season demand.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 52% |
| Feb | 60% |
| Mar | 65% |
| Apr | 65% |
| May | 68% |
| Jun | 72% |
| Jul | 75% |
| Aug | 75% |
| Sep | 72% |
| Oct | 74% |
| Nov | 58% |
| Dec | 53% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Boston are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Boston market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Boston market as a whole, which includes Boston, so these counts are not Boston-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blueground | 642 | 322 | ★ 4.16 |
| 2 | Evonify | 249 | 6,266 | ★ 4.59 |
| 3 | Club Quarters Hotels | 125 | 1,844 | ★ 4.70 |
| 4 | Compass Furnished Apartments | 121 | 155 | ★ 4.90 |
| 5 | Maverick Suites | 121 | 24,799 | ★ 4.60 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Boston?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Boston are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 64.7% |
| vrbo | 5% |
| both | 30.4% |
Home Value Trends (Boston)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Boston are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Boston — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Boston’s STR ordinance (Chapter 9-14, effective January 1, 2019) is among the most restrictive in the US. Owner-occupancy is required: all three permitted registration categories require the operator to hold the unit as their primary residence for at least 9 months per year. Renters cannot list their units. Investor-owned or non-owner-occupied units are prohibited from operating as STRs.
Three registration categories are issued by the Inspectional Services Department (ISD): Limited Share ($25/year, owner must be present during the stay, maximum 3 guest bedrooms or 6 guests), Home Share ($200/year, owner may be absent, maximum 5 bedrooms or 10 guests), and Owner-Adjacent ($200/year, secondary unit in an owner-occupied 2- or 3-family building).
A separate Business Certificate from the City Clerk ($65, valid 4 years) is also required before listing. The combined occupancy tax is 14.95%: 5.7% state room occupancy excise, 6.5% Boston local excise, and 2.75% convention center financing fee. An additional community impact fee of up to 3% applies to operators with more than one property. Enforcement is rated strict.
Market Comparison
Boston’s April 2026 ADR of $221 is essentially at the US STR median of approximately $220, while occupancy at 64.8% is approximately 10 percentage points above the national median of approximately 55%. The combination produces RevPAR of $143, among the highest in this batch.
Blueground leads the market with 642 listings and 322 reviews (4.16 average rating), reflecting its corporate furnished apartment focus rather than traditional STR. Evonify follows with 249 listings and 6,266 reviews (4.59 rating). Club Quarters Hotels holds 125 listings (4.70 rating). Compass Furnished Apartments manages 121 listings with a 4.90 rating, the highest in the group. Maverick Suites rounds out the top five with 121 listings and 24,799 reviews (4.60 rating).
The operator profile in Boston is distinctly different from leisure markets: corporate furnished apartment providers and hotel-like operators (Blueground, Club Quarters, Maverick Suites) dominate the professionally managed segment, reflecting the corporate and conference demand base.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boston, Massachusetts
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Can investors buy property in Boston to use as an STR?
What is the average nightly rate for Boston short-term rentals?
What occupancy rate can I expect in Boston?
What taxes apply to Boston short-term rentals?
What is the best season for Boston short-term rentals?
How far in advance do guests book Boston rentals?
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