Westerly, Rhode Island Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated September 03, 2023
Westerly Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating5.9
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Competition
7.0 -
Real Estate Cost
5.5 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
3.9 -
Rental Rates
7.4
Westerly, Rhode Island 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
- 23,359
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June to September
- County
- Washington
- Airports
- T.F. Green Airport (PVD)
- Bradley International Airport (BDL)
Want to learn more about Westerly?
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 Westerly rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Westerly rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Westerly.
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 Westerly guests.
Interested in other Rhode Island cities?
Check out the Rhode Island Airbnb rules directory
What makes Westerly a great place to invest?
- Proximity to Beaches and Water Activities: Westerly boasts a beautiful coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, with several pristine beaches that attract visitors throughout the year. The town is also home to the Pawcatuck River, which offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and other water activities. This constant influx of beachgoers and water enthusiasts ensures a steady demand for short-term rentals.
- Historic Attractions: The town is rich in history, with numerous historic buildings, landmarks, and a well-preserved downtown area. Tourists often visit the Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest carousel in the United States, and the Babcock-Smith House, a grandiose stone mansion built in the 18th century. These attractions draw history buffs and curious travelers, further increasing the demand for accommodations.
- Proximity to Other Tourist Destinations: Westerly's strategic location makes it a convenient base for exploring other popular tourist destinations in the region. It is a short drive from Mystic, Connecticut, a historic seaport town, and Newport, Rhode Island, known for its Gilded Age mansions. This makes Westerly an attractive option for travelers looking to explore the broader region.
- Outdoor Recreation Opportunities: In addition to its beaches, Westerly offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Wilcox Park, a beautifully landscaped park in the heart of downtown, is a popular spot for picnics, walks, and outdoor concerts. Additionally, the town is close to several state parks and hiking trails, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
- Year-Round Events: Westerly hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including music festivals, art shows, and parades. The Summer Pops, a free outdoor concert held in Wilcox Park, is a particularly popular event that attracts thousands of visitors each year. These events draw visitors from near and far, ensuring a steady demand for short-term rentals year-round.
Westerly Nearby Cities
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23 miles away
- Rating: 6.9
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26 miles away
- Rating: 5.1
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Westerly?
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 Westerly has increased 8% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $290, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$523,442
8% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$290
8% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,705
0% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Westerly, Rhode Island
Common terms for Westerly 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 Westerly has a description approximately 1,565 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 344 listings in Westerly, 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 Beach, Cottage, Outdoor, Beautiful, Family, Town, View, Water, Deck, and Relax.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Westerly?
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 Westerly involve Outlet Shopping, Antiquing, the Beach, the Marina, and Swimming. 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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Outlet Shopping
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Antiquing
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Beach
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Marina
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Swimming
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Boating
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Casinos
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Sailing
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Cycling
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Adventure Activities
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Paddle Boating
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Museums
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Westerly, including Hammonasset Beach State Park, Essex Steam Train, Rocky Neck State Park, Harvey's Beach, and Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets. 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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Regional Landmark
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Hammonasset Beach State Park
Included on 82% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets
Included on 82% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Essex Steam Train
Included on 80% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Essex Steam Train
Included on 16% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Harvey's Beach
Included on 16% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets
Included on 16% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Westbrook Town Beach
Included on 16% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Essex Island Marina
Included on 16% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
Included on 16% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Ivoryton Playhouse
Included on 16% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Hammonasset Beach State Park
Included on 12% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Rocky Neck State Park
Included on 12% of listings
What’s the weather like in Westerly, Rhode Island?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 59°, while the average low is about 43°. 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 23 inches per year. The humidity levels in Westerly are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
26° Low 40° High
Spring
March through May
40° Low 56° High
Summer
June through August
62° Low 78° High
Fall
September through November
46° Low 62° High
Cities Near Westerly
Westerly, Rhode Island, is located in Washington County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
