Essex, Massachusetts Airbnb Market Data 2026: STR Report & Statistics
How much can you earn on Airbnb in Essex, Massachusetts? Based on AirROI's 2026 dataset (May 2025 – April 2026), the short answer is $38,597 per year — at a $567 nightly rate, 38.0% occupancy, and a $207 RevPAR that reflects moderate rate-to-revenue efficiency with room to optimize.
With just 20 active listings, Essex is a micro-market where moderate demand with room for well-positioned listings to outperform. Supply grew 11.1% over the past year, yet revenue and nightly rates both trended upward — a signal that traveler demand is outpacing new inventory rather than being diluted by it. For hosts, pricing power remains intact even as competition increases.
Regulation is low with minimal registration requirements, pointing to an operator-friendly environment. In a market this size, differentiated listings with strong reviews can capture outsized returns relative to the competition.
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What Are the Key Airbnb Metrics in Essex?
In Essex, the headline Airbnb metrics are $38,597 in average annual revenue,38.0% occupancy, $567 ADR, and $207 in RevPAR, and guests book about 96 days in advance.
How Much Do Airbnb Hosts Earn Monthly in Essex?
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Essex is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Essex is typically August, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Essex across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $9,911+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $6,588 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $3,318 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $2,055, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Essex
What Is the Monthly Airbnb Occupancy Rate in Essex?
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Essex STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Augustsees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while February experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Essex:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 66%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 47% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 31%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 17% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Essex
What Is the Average Airbnb Nightly Rate in Essex?
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Essex involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Essex typically peaks in December and dips lowest during November. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $930+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $680 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $314 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $188 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Essex
What Is the RevPAR for Airbnb in Essex?
RevPAR in Essex is currently $207. Because RevPAR combines nightly rates with realized occupancy, it is one of the cleanest ways to compare how efficiently listings turn demand into revenue across the market.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see $98 RevPAR.
- Typical properties (Median) generate $148 RevPAR.
- Strong performers (Top 25%) earn $213 RevPAR.
- Best-in-class (Top 10%) achieve $403 RevPAR.
Average Monthly RevPAR Trend in Essex
RevPAR Insights for Essex
- The average RevPAR in Essex is $207. This metric combines nightly rates with realized occupancy, making it one of the best single-number indicators of market efficiency.
- The gap between the top 10% ($403) and bottom 25% ($98) is $305, indicating significant performance disparity driven by property quality, pricing strategy, and location.
- RevPAR peaks in Aug and bottoms out in Feb, mirroring the broader seasonal demand pattern and suggesting opportunities for dynamic pricing.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Track your own RevPAR monthly against these Essex benchmarks. If your RevPAR falls below the median of $148, examine whether low occupancy or low ADR is the primary drag.
- Top-quartile listings achieve $213+ RevPAR through a combination of competitive pricing, strong reviews, and strategic amenities. Target this tier through incremental improvements.
- Use RevPAR rather than revenue alone when comparing properties of different sizes — it normalizes for available nights and gives a more accurate picture of performance.
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When Is the Peak Season for Airbnb in Essex?
Essex's peak Airbnb season falls in August, July, September, while the softest stretch is January, February, March. Overall, the market shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy, which should guide pricing, minimum stays, and cash-flow planning.
Peak Season (August, July, September)
- Revenue averages $8,947 per month
- Occupancy rates average 53.6%
- Daily rates average $466
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4,480 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 33.5%
- Daily rates hold near $477
Low Season (January, February, March)
- Revenue drops to average $2,132 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 17.4%
- Daily rates adjust to average $491
Seasonality Insights for Essex
- Airbnb seasonality in Essex is pronounced. Revenue swings sharply between peak and low months, which means pricing strategy, minimum-stay settings, and cash reserves all need to account for extended slower periods.
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Essex's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues climbing to $11,256, occupancy reaching 64.1%, and ADRs peaking at $505.
- Conversely, the slowest single month marks the market's lowest point — revenue may dip to $1,835, occupancy could drop to 10.0%, and ADRs may adjust to $450.
- Lower occupancy paired with meaningful seasonality means hosts in Essex need to maximize every peak-season booking and seriously consider whether off-season pricing adjustments or minimum-stay changes can capture incremental revenue.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability and consider tightening cancellation policies to reduce last-minute gaps.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, extended-stay discounts, and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers, budget-conscious guests, and travelers with flexible schedules.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that bridges peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers, local events, and business visitors. Slightly more flexible terms than peak season can help maintain occupancy without deep discounting.
- In a highly seasonal market like Essex, building a cash reserve during the top months is essential for covering fixed costs during the slow period. Automated pricing tools can help capture demand shifts in real time.
Do You Need a License for Airbnb in Essex?
Low regulation and minimal registration activity in Essex, Massachusetts, United States point to an operator-friendly environment. That said, even low-regulation markets may have tax collection requirements, safety standards, or HOA rules that affect short-term rental operations. Always verify the latest short-term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Essex to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2026, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
What Are the Best Neighborhoods for Airbnb in Essex?
With a compact short-term rental market, Essex gives early-mover hosts an advantage in the right neighborhoods. The areas listed below are where guest demand and local attractions converge — a useful lens for investors evaluating whether to enter this market and where to position their listing.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucester | Charming coastal city known for its beautiful beaches, historic fishing industry, and vibrant arts scene. A great location for attracting tourists year-round with its scenic views and local festivals. | Good Harbor Beach, Cape Ann Museum, Rocky Neck Art Colony, Halibut Point State Park, Gloucester Fishermen's Memorial, Stage Fort Park |
| Rockport | Quaint seaside town famous for its picturesque harbor and artistic community. Popular among visitors looking for a peaceful retreat and natural beauty, making it an ideal location for short-term rentals. | Rockport Harbor, Halibut Point State Park, Motif No. 1, Windward Beach, Bearskin Neck, Rockport Art Association |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea | Charming New England town known for its beautiful beaches and quiet atmosphere. Attracts families and couples looking for a relaxing getaway close to nature and the ocean. | Manchester Beach, Singing Beach, Coolidge Reservation, Mason Reservation, Mansfield Street beaches, Manchester Historical Museum |
| Ipswich | Historic town with a rich colonial history and beautiful natural landscapes. Offers a mix of history, nature, and beach access, attracting visitors interested in exploring the North Shore of Massachusetts. | Crane Beach, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Choose Your Own Adventure Ipswich Museum, Ipswich Historic District, Greenbelt Conservation |
| Essex | Small town known for its antique shops and proximity to beaches. Appeals to antique lovers and those looking for a quaint New England experience. | Essex River Cruises, Cogswell's Grant, Essex Antiquarian, Costello's Farm Stand, Essex Museum, The Schooner Adventure |
| Newburyport | Charming coastal town with a rich maritime history and vibrant downtown area. Great for tourists looking for shopping, dining, and scenic waterfront views, making it a desirable location for rentals. | Newburyport Harbor, Merrimack River waterfront, Custom House Maritime Museum, Plum Island, Newburyport Rail Trail, Joppa Flats Education Center |
| Marblehead | Scenic coastal town known for its historic architecture and sailing community. Ideal for visitors interested in maritime activities and historical sites, making it a great spot for tourism. | Marblehead Harbor, Old Town, Fort Sewall, Abbot Hall, Marblehead Museum, Gerry Island |
| Salem | Famous for its 1692 witch trials and vibrant historical sites. Attracts tourists interested in history, culture, and seasonal events like Halloween, providing ample short-term rental opportunities. | Salem Witch Museum, The House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Common |
With 8 distinct neighborhoods showing meaningful short-term rental activity, Essex offers diversification within a single market. Investors can tailor their strategy — from high-turnover tourist zones to quieter residential areas that attract longer stays and remote workers.
What Types of Properties Are on Airbnb in Essex?
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Essex
- The Essex Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 95% of the 20 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Essex, House properties are the most common (70%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 70% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
Essex Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2026): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Essex
- The dominant room capacity in Essex is 5+ bedrooms listings, making up 25% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for families or small groups.
- Together, 5+ bedrooms and 2 bedrooms properties represent 45.0% of the active Airbnb listings in Essex, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 45.0% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Essex.
Essex Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2026)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Essex
- The most common guest capacity trend in Essex vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (30%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
- Properties designed for 8+ guests and 6 guests dominate the Essex STR market, accounting for 50.0% of listings.
- 50.0% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Essex.
- On average, properties in Essex are equipped to host 5.3 guests.
How Do Listings in Essex Compare on Quality?
Listing quality in Essex can be approximated through presentation depth, bedroom count, and how often hosts disclose exact locations. These signals show how professionally the local supply base is merchandised.
Listing Quality Insights for Essex
- At 38.1 photos per listing on average, Essex hosts invest well in visual presentation. Listings with 20+ photos consistently outperform in search ranking and conversion.
- 10.0% of listings show their exact location. Lower disclosure rates can increase booking hesitation — guests want to know exactly where they are staying.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Enable exact location if possible — it removes a common source of guest uncertainty and can improve your listing's position in map-based searches.
- Use these quality indicators as a self-audit checklist. Listings that exceed the Essex averages across all three metrics are better positioned for premium pricing.
What Amenities Do Airbnb Guests Expect in Essex?
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Essex
- Essential amenities in Essex that guests expect include: Air conditioning, Kitchen, Free parking on premises, Heating, Smoke alarm, Wifi, TV, Carbon monoxide alarm. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Fire extinguisher, Essentials are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Essex: Air conditioning, Kitchen, Free parking on premises, Heating, Smoke alarm, Wifi, TV, Carbon monoxide alarm.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Air conditioning, Kitchen, Free parking on premises, TV, Carbon monoxide alarm.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Fire extinguisher or Essentials to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Essex to stay competitive.
Which Airbnb Amenities Boost Revenue in Essex?
Not every amenity matters equally. This table focuses on the amenities most associated with higher revenue in Essex, which makes it more useful for prioritizing upgrades than a simple popularity list alone.
| Amenity | Prevalence | Revenue With | Revenue Without | Revenue Uplift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pets allowed | 30.0% | $64,761 | $27,384 | 136.5% |
Dedicated workspace | 70.0% | $44,612 | $24,563 | 81.6% |
Indoor fireplace | 45.0% | $49,819 | $29,416 | 69.4% |
Pack ’n play/Travel crib | 25.0% | $54,777 | $33,204 | 65.0% |
Washer | 75.0% | $42,311 | $27,456 | 54.1% |
Dryer | 75.0% | $42,311 | $27,456 | 54.1% |
Beach essentials | 30.0% | $50,499 | $33,496 | 50.8% |
Conditioner | 45.0% | $47,272 | $31,499 | 50.1% |
Exterior security cameras on property | 30.0% | $49,772 | $33,808 | 47.2% |
Iron | 65.0% | $42,945 | $30,522 | 40.7% |
Revenue Impact Insights for Essex
- Pets allowed tops the revenue impact list with a 136.5% uplift — listings with this amenity earn $64,761 vs. $27,384 without it.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Focus your upgrade budget on amenities in the top half of this table. Below-median amenities may improve guest experience but contribute less to revenue growth.
- Highlight revenue-impacting amenities prominently in your listing title, photos, and description — guests can't value what they don't notice.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Essex STR Market Data (2026)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Essex. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsEssex Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2026)
Guest Profile Summary for Essex
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Essex consists of primarily domestic travelers (95%), often arriving from nearby New York, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 94.9% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (94.9%) and United Kingdom (2%).
- Top languages spoken are English (75%) followed by Spanish (13.9%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from New York and Boston.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
What Are Airbnb Guest Ratings in Essex?
Listings in Essex average 4.92 out of 5 overall, with about 51.8 reviews per active listing and 70.0% of listings carrying the Guest Favorite badge.
Rating Breakdown by Category
Guest Rating Insights for Essex
- With an overall rating of 4.92, Essex listings meet an exceptionally high bar. Guests consistently report strong satisfaction, which drives repeat bookings and referral traffic.
- The strongest subcategory is Check-in (4.97), while Value (4.82) trails behind — a useful signal for hosts looking to prioritize upgrades.
- 70.0% of listings carry the Guest Favorite badge, a strong trust signal that can meaningfully lift click-through and booking rates.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Focus improvement efforts on Value — even small gains in the weakest subcategory can lift overall ratings and search ranking.
- Encourage guests to leave reviews after checkout. Listings with more reviews rank higher in search results and convert browsers into bookers more effectively.
Essex Airbnb Booking Patterns (2026): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Essex
- The most common availability pattern in Essex falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 65% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 100.0% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 31-90 days range is most frequent in Essex (45%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
How Far in Advance Do Guests Book Airbnb in Essex?
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Essex
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Essex is 96 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during August (average 109 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in March (average 19 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (97 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (24 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (96 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Essex.
- For August stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 109 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 97 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Essex averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
What Is the Average Length of Stay for Airbnb in Essex?
Guests in Essex stay about 6.5 nights on average, generating roughly 305 reservations and 15.3 bookings per listing in the latest AirROI dataset. The most common check-in time is 3:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM.
Monthly Length of Stay in Essex
Check-in Time Distribution
Check-out Time Distribution
Stay Pattern Insights for Essex
- A mid-range stay length points to leisure-driven demand — weekend getaways and short vacations. Hosts should optimize for quick turnover efficiency while keeping the guest experience smooth.
- 15.3 bookings per listing is a manageable pace that balances revenue with operational overhead.
- Stay lengths peak in Nov (10.6 nights) and shorten in Feb (2.2 nights). Adjust minimum-night requirements seasonally to match.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Leverage the longer-stay pattern by offering weekly discounts — even 5-10% off can convert browsing into bookings for guests considering an extended stay.
- Set your check-in time to match or beat the market standard of 3:00 PM. Offering early check-in flexibility can be a low-cost differentiator.
- Monitor length-of-stay seasonality to adjust minimum-night requirements — longer minimums during peak periods maximize revenue while shorter minimums fill gaps in shoulder seasons.
Essex Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
1 listings
5% of total
2 Nights
6 listings
30% of total
3 Nights
3 listings
15% of total
4-6 Nights
3 listings
15% of total
30+ Nights
7 listings
35% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Essex is 30+ Nights, adopted by 35% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for longer commitments.
- A significant segment (35%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Essex, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 30+ Nights minimum stay, as 35% of Essex hosts use this setting.
- If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 5% currently do.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 35% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Essex.
Essex Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2026)
Super Strict 30 Days
2 listings
10% of total
Flexible
1 listings
5% of total
Moderate
3 listings
15% of total
Firm
9 listings
45% of total
Strict
5 listings
25% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Essex
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Essex is Firm, used by 45% of listings.
- A majority (70.0%) of hosts in Essex utilize Firm or Strict policies, indicating a market where hosts prioritize booking security.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Firm policy to align with the 45% market standard in Essex.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Essex.
How Much Are Airbnb Cleaning Fees in Essex?
Cleaning fees in Essex are meaningful operating levers, not just pass-through charges. What matters most is how often hosts charge them, how high they run relative to market norms, and how large a share of gross revenue they consume.
Cleaning Fee Insights for Essex
- 100.0% of listings charge a cleaning fee, making it standard practice in Essex. Guests expect it and factor it into their booking decisions.
- The gap between the average ($179) and median ($120) cleaning fee indicates some high-end properties are pulling the average up considerably.
- Cleaning fees represent 6.6% of gross revenue on average — a modest component of the overall booking price.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Price your cleaning fee competitively against the Essex median of $120. Fees significantly above market norms can deter bookings, especially for shorter stays.
- Monitor competitor cleaning fees regularly. Airbnb's search algorithm factors in total price, so a well-calibrated cleaning fee can improve your listing's ranking.
What Do the Top Airbnb Listings in Essex Look Like?
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Essexbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Rustic Lux Farm House with Simplistic Elegance
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Quintessential Oceanfront - The Jacob Wirth House
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Kippers Waterfront Hideaway
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
❤️ 🏖 Water view Beach Cottage -The Captain’s Lodge❤️
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Lakefront cottage for a fun, relaxing getaway.
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Haskell Grove Estate
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Who Are the Top Airbnb Hosts in Essex?
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Essex based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sally | 2 | $153,661 | 43 | 4.99/5.0 |
| Jeremy | 1 | $125,816 | 20 | 4.84/5.0 |
| Justin | 2 | $62,265 | 19 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Jennifer | 1 | $61,979 | 7 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Mariann | 1 | $47,354 | 120 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Morris | 1 | $46,431 | 18 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Steve | 1 | $43,443 | 88 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Vacasa | 2 | $40,305 | 23 | 4.68/5.0 |
| Mark | 1 | $33,303 | 48 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Finella | 1 | $33,259 | 73 | 5.00/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Essex.
Who Are the Airbnb Hosts in Essex?
Essex is a quality-focused market, with a high Superhost share and fairly mature operating standards.
Host Profile Insights for Essex
- With 50.0% Superhosts, Essex has an experienced host base that sets high guest expectations. New entrants should plan for competitive quality standards.
- 10.0% of listings are professionally managed, reflecting a market still dominated by individual hosts.
- 0.0% of listings have Instant Book enabled. Lower Instant Book adoption means many guests must request approval, which can slow conversions.
- 65.0% of listings use Airbnb's simplified pricing (host-only fee), where the host pays the entire platform service fee and the guest sees one all-in price with no separate Airbnb service charge. High adoption signals a professional, PMS-connected host base — Airbnb mandates simplified pricing for software-connected listings.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider enabling Instant Book — it reduces booking friction and Airbnb's algorithm tends to favor Instant Book listings in search results.
- With 20.0% cohosted listings, there may be a growing local market for property management services.
- Benchmark your host metrics against these Essex averages regularly and adjust your hosting strategy based on what top performers do differently.
Top Professional Management Companies in Essex
These are the highest-grossing professional property management operations in Essex, ranked by total revenue across their portfolio. Their performance metrics offer a benchmark for what institutional-level hosting looks like in this market.
| Company | Listings | Revenue | ADR | Occ. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacasa | 2 | $40,305 | $563 | 30.6% | 4.68/5 |
Management Company Insights for Essex
- The leading management company, Vacasa, operates 2 listings with $40,305 in gross revenue — a useful benchmark for what scale looks like in Essex.
- Top managers average 2 properties each, suggesting professional management in Essex still operates at a relatively boutique scale.
- Professionally managed listings in the top tier average 4.68/5 in guest ratings — suggesting room for quality improvement even among larger operators.
Recommendations
- With only 10.0% of listings professionally managed, there may be an opportunity to differentiate through more structured operations and consistent guest experiences.
- Study how top management companies price, position, and maintain their portfolios — their ADR and occupancy rates reflect strategies refined across dozens of listings.
- If you're considering hiring a property manager, compare their portfolio performance against these benchmarks before committing.
How Does Essex's Airbnb Market Compare to Nearby Cities?
How does the Essex Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
Compared with South Berwick, Essex has 20 percentage points lower occupancy and about $328 higher ADR. That helps frame whether this market is winning more on demand, pricing, or both.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantucket | 520 | $7,695 | $1092.90 | 41% |
| Middletown | 398 | $5,505 | $612.62 | 44% |
| South Berwick | 12 | $5,359 | $238.99 | 58% |
| Edgartown | 246 | $5,316 | $838.56 | 41% |
| Nahant | 13 | $5,312 | $595.74 | 44% |
| Barnstead | 35 | $5,270 | $500.61 | 42% |
| New Shoreham | 120 | $5,081 | $659.66 | 44% |
| North Andover | 12 | $5,023 | $443.91 | 44% |
| Kennebunkport | 150 | $4,988 | $679.67 | 43% |
| Wellesley | 21 | $4,966 | $545.99 | 50% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb in Essex
These quick answers summarize the most common investor and operator questions using AirROI's latest market data for Essex.
How much do Airbnb hosts make in Essex?
Essex hosts earn about $38,597 per year on average, with an average nightly rate of $567 and RevPAR of $207. Those figures describe the typical revenue environment for active listings in Essex, Massachusetts, not the ceiling for the best operators. Source: AirROI 2026 data, Essex market, May 2025 to April 2026.
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Essex?
The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Essex is 38.0%. August is the strongest month and February is the softest, so hosts should expect demand to move meaningfully throughout the year rather than stay flat.
What is the average Airbnb daily rate in Essex?
Listings in Essex average $567 per night. The broader pricing spread also matters: lower-performing listings cluster closer to the lower quartiles, while premium homes can price materially above the city average when demand spikes or listing quality stands out.
How many Airbnb listings are active in Essex?
Essex currently has about 20 active Airbnb listings in AirROI's market dataset. That supply count helps explain how competitive the market is, how much depth there is for benchmarking, and whether the market behaves like a niche destination or a scaled urban market.
How strict are short-term rental regulations in Essex?
AirROI currently classifies the short-term rental regulation level in Essex as Low. The dataset also shows about 0.0% of listings with registration evidence. That is a market signal, not legal advice, so hosts should still confirm current licensing and compliance rules locally before listing.
What is the RevPAR for Airbnb in Essex?
RevPAR in Essex is about $207. That metric combines pricing and occupancy into one efficiency number, so it is often a better quick benchmark than ADR alone when investors want to compare how well listings convert nightly rates into realized revenue.
Is Airbnb profitable in Essex?
Occupancy of 38.0% means Essex is a more selective market. Profitability is achievable but requires careful cost management, premium positioning, or targeting longer stays to reduce turnover. Average annual revenue is $38,597, but individual returns depend on property type, location within the city, and the host's operating efficiency.
How far in advance do guests book Airbnb in Essex?
The average booking lead time in Essex is about 96 days — a longer planning horizon typical of destination or vacation markets where travelers book well in advance. Hosts who understand their market's booking cadence can adjust minimum stays and pricing windows accordingly.
What are the best neighborhoods for Airbnb in Essex?
Based on AirROI's analysis, some of the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Essex include Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea. Each area attracts different guest profiles — from business travelers to leisure visitors — so the best location depends on the property type and target audience a host is aiming for. See the full neighborhood breakdown above.
What type of property performs best on Airbnb in Essex?
entire_home listings make up 95.0% of the active supply in Essex. The most common configuration does not always mean the most profitable — operators who identify underserved property types or bedroom counts can sometimes outperform the market average by filling a gap in local supply.
How does Essex compare to nearby Airbnb markets?
Among neighboring markets, Nantucket posts $92,335 in average annual revenue with 40.8% occupancy, compared to Essex's $38,597 and 38.0%. Comparing nearby markets helps investors understand whether a destination's performance reflects local demand or broader regional trends.
What is the average length of stay in Essex?
The average Airbnb stay length in Essex is about 6.5 nights. That matters for turnover, cleaning operations, and pricing strategy because shorter stays increase changeovers while longer stays can smooth occupancy and reduce operational friction.
What is the average Airbnb guest rating in Essex?
Airbnb listings in Essex average 4.92 out of 5 overall. About 70.0% of listings carry the guest favorite badge, which suggests a meaningful share of inventory is competing on review quality rather than price alone.
Which amenities boost Airbnb revenue in Essex?
Pets allowed and Dedicated workspace are among the strongest revenue-linked amenities in Essex. In AirROI's latest dataset, listings with these amenities outperform those without on average revenue, which makes amenities analysis useful for prioritizing investment and listing upgrades.
Do Airbnb hosts charge cleaning fees in Essex?
Yes. About 100.0% of active Airbnb listings in Essex charge a cleaning fee, and the average fee is $179. The more important operating benchmark is how much of gross revenue that fee consumes, not just the absolute dollar amount.
What percentage of Airbnb hosts are Superhosts in Essex?
A 50.0% Superhost rate signals a highly competitive market where review quality and responsiveness are table stakes, not differentiators.
About AirROI Market Data
AirROI tracks over 20 million properties across 190+ countries and maintains 15+ years of historical performance data, making it one of the deepest Airbnb and STR intelligence platforms available. The analytics pipeline aggregates listing-level data monthly — revenue, occupancy, nightly rates, RevPAR, guest demographics, booking patterns, and competitive supply — so investors and operators can benchmark any market against its own history and against neighboring destinations.
Real estate investors, property managers, financial institutions, hedge funds, tourism boards, hospitality consultants, tech platforms, and academic researchers rely on AirROI data to underwrite acquisitions, optimize pricing, model macro trends, and conduct peer-reviewed research. Data is available through in-depth market reports like this one and the Airbnb API with 22 endpoints and an Airbnb MCP Server for AI agents.
AirROI proprietary analytics as of 2026-04-30. Metrics reflect trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings. Revenue figures are market averages, not projections. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-generated and reviewed for accuracy. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.