Somerville, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated September 03, 2023
Somerville Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating4.6
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Competition
3.3 -
Real Estate Cost
3.2 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
3.0 -
Rental Rates
9.0
Somerville, Massachusetts Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 81,045
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- May to September
- County
- Middlesex
- Airports
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
Want to learn more about Somerville?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Somerville rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Somerville rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Somerville.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Somerville guests.
Interested in other Massachusetts cities?
Check out the Massachusetts Airbnb rules directory
What makes Somerville a great place to invest?
- Proximity to Boston: Somerville is just a stone's throw away from downtown Boston, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for visitors who want to explore the city without the high price tag of staying downtown. This proximity attracts a steady stream of visitors, ensuring a consistent demand for short-term rentals.
- Diverse Dining Options: The city boasts a wide array of dining options, from trendy cafes to international cuisine, attracting food enthusiasts from all over. Visitors often seek short-term rentals in Somerville to fully immerse themselves in the local food scene.
- Accessible Public Transportation: Somerville is well-served by public transportation, with multiple subway and bus lines connecting it to Boston and the surrounding areas. This accessibility makes it easy for visitors to explore the region without a car, increasing the appeal of short-term rentals in the area.
- Educational Institutions: Home to Tufts University and close to other prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT, Somerville attracts students, faculty, and visiting families year-round, creating a steady demand for short-term rentals.
- Rich History: Somerville is steeped in history, with historic sites, monuments, and museums that attract history buffs and tourists alike. Visitors often choose to stay in short-term rentals to have a more personalized and comfortable experience while exploring the city's rich past.
Somerville Nearby Cities
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2 miles away
- Rating: 4.9
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3 miles away
- Rating: 4.5
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Somerville?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Somerville has increased 0% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $751, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$986,847
0% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$751
-1% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$3,270
7% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Somerville, Massachusetts
Common terms for Somerville short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Somerville has a description approximately 1,741 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 4,239 listings in Somerville, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Boston, Comfortable, Place, Desk, Walking, Downtown Boston, Easy, City, Coffee maker, and NumberSTR.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Somerville?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Somerville involve Museums, Outlet Shopping, the City Centre, Swimming, and Cycling. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Museums
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Outlet Shopping
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City Centre
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Swimming
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Cycling
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Hiking
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Whale Watching
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Zoo
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Health Spa
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Boating
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Marina
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Sailing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Somerville, including Harvard University, TD Garden, Boston Common, Northeastern University, and Copley Square. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Harvard University
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Encore Boston Harbor
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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TD Garden
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Common
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Northeastern University
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Copley Place
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Copley Square
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Harvard Square
Included on 50% of listings
What’s the weather like in Somerville, Massachusetts?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 59°, while the average low is about 44°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 38 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 31 inches per year. The humidity levels in Somerville are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
25° Low 38° High
Spring
March through May
41° Low 57° High
Summer
June through August
63° Low 79° High
Fall
September through November
47° Low 61° High
Cities Near Somerville
Somerville, Massachusetts, is located in Middlesex County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
