salaryRent is higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.3 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 34.3 minutes each way. Most homes (75.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 62.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $108,120 a year. That is $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 89 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Swampscott?
Share of households by yearly income. 52.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Swampscott
| Size | Swampscott | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,009 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,653 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,255 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,483 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Swampscott overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Swampscott, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Swampscott
Life in Swampscott
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Swampscott?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,647 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $771,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $77,110 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Swampscott, MA?
Renting in Swampscott costs a median of about $2,703 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Swampscott?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $108,120 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Swampscott cheap or expensive?
Swampscott is rated OK: rent takes 22.4% of the typical household income of $144,935. It ranks 89th cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Swampscott?
The median homeowner in Swampscott pays $7,936 a year in property taxes, about 1.03% of the median home value.
Is Swampscott more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Swampscott?
The median home value in Swampscott is $771,100, about 5.3 times the typical yearly household income.
15,277 people live in Swampscott. Numbers are typical (middle) values.