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City Report · MA

Swampscott

Pop. 15,277·56th most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,764/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.6%
vs US Median
+$799
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Swampscott · $2,764
More expensive than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,764/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$111,000/yr
Local median income
$134,386/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Swampscott's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,470
1 BR
$2,620
2 BR
$3,100
3 BR
$3,730
4 BR+
$4,110
Research median
$3,100/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$33,168/yr
At $2,764/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Swampscott, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 62.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,277
Median income
$134,386
Median age
44.5
Renters
24.1%
Age distribution
20.1%
17.4%
27.9%
14.3%
20.4%
Under 1820.1%
18–3417.4%
35–5427.9%
55–6414.3%
65+20.4%
Gender
46.4%
53.6%
Male46.4%
Female53.6%
Race & ethnicity
89%
White89%
Black3.3%
Hispanic8.9%
Asian1.1%
Education (25+)
14.2%
19.6%
62.2%
No HS diploma4%
HS diploma14.2%
Some college19.6%
Bachelor's+62.2%
Housing tenure
75.9%
24.1%
Owner75.9%
Renter24.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Swampscott, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$114,086 → $134,386
up 17.8%
Population
15,043 → 15,277
up 1.6%
Renter share
26.6% → 24.1%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
62.2% → 62.2%
+0.0 pts
Median age
45 → 44.5
-0.5 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $134,386 today, compared with $114,086 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 15,043 to 15,277 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.6% change. About 24.1% of households rent today, against 26.6% in 2021.

Community

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View Swampscott rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Swampscott on your salary?

At $2,764/mo, how Swampscott rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Swampscott rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Swampscott. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Swampscott

About renting in Swampscott, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Swampscott is $2,764/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,470/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,100/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,620/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,730/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($134,386/yr), Swampscott ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Swampscott an affordable city for renters?

Swampscott is considered affordable for renters. At $2,764/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($134,386/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Swampscott falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Swampscott?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $111,000/year (~$53/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,764/mo in Swampscott. The local median household income is $134,386/yr, meaning the typical Swampscott household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Swampscott?

Rent in Swampscott has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Swampscott rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Swampscott is middle-of-the-pack for Massachusetts for rent, ranking #56 out of 107 tracked cities at $2,764/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Swampscott?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Swampscott ($2,764/mo): Lynn ($2,300/mo), Salem ($2,742/mo).

What percentage of Swampscott residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.1% of Swampscott households are renters, while 75.9% are owner-occupied. Swampscott leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Swampscott rent compare to the national average?

Swampscott's median rent of $2,764/mo is $799 (41%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #56 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,764/mo, rent takes ~25% of Swampscott's median household income ($134,386/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Swampscott 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Swampscott, MA

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