🏖️

Swampscott

35 min to Boston
"North Shore beach access without Marblehead's pretension"
Median Price
$850,000
$480/sqft
School Rating
7.5/10
Good
Appreciation
3.4%
per year
Commute
35 min
to downtown

Financing Considerations

Properties in Swampscott typically may qualify for high-balance conforming loans, though jumbo financing might be needed depending on exact property price.

Learn about loan thresholds, property condition impact, flood/wind insurance, and how vintage homes (common in many MA towns) affect mortgage approval.

The Vibe

North Shore beach town adjacent to Marblehead but more accessible. Beautiful coastline, Fish Beach, and ocean views without the yacht club exclusivity. Family-friendly with character.

What It's Really Like

Swampscott gives you North Shore beaches without Marblehead prices or attitude. It's the friendly beach town where locals actually use Fish Beach and neighbors wave hello.

Best For

  • Beach lovers seeking value
  • Families wanting North Shore access
  • Those who love water but not sailing culture
  • Buyers seeking coastal character

Avoid If

  • You need quick Boston commute (35+ min)
  • You want prestige of Marblehead
  • You prefer urban density

🌟Highlights

🏖️Fish Beach and beautiful coastline
🌊Ocean views without yacht club fees
🏡Mix of beach cottages and family homes
💰Better value than Marblehead

Insider Tips

  • 💡Fisherman's Beach (Fish Beach) is the social center in summer
  • 💡Humphrey Street is the main drag
  • 💡Commuter rail access via Lynn

Demographics

Population
15,100
Median Age
44
Median Income
$130,000

Economic Profile

Remote Work
20.5%
work from home
Professional Workers
66.7%
knowledge economy
Broadband Access
95.9%
digital infrastructure
Median Commute
36 min
to work
Rental Cost Burden
49.7%
pay >30% on rent
Homeownership
73.1%
owner-occupied
Poverty Rate
6.7%
below poverty line
Unemployment
5.4%
of labor force
Median Home Value
$646K
Census estimate
Data source: Census ACS 2022 5-year

Religious Community

Places of Worship
6
Churches
4
Synagogues
2
🌟 Multi-faith community with diverse religious traditions(Diversity Score: 58/100)
Historical Context: Oldest establishment dates to 18322 established before 1900
Data Source: MassGIS 2025 (Updated 2025-02-03)

Housing Stock Age

Median Year Built
1948
77 years old
Pre-1940 Construction
21.5%
⚠️ Higher insurance risk
Post-2000 Construction
20%
Modern housing stock
Est. Annual Insurance
$2,800
Based on housing age

High Insurance Risk

Swampscott has a high concentration of pre-1940 homes (21.5%). Insurance premiums may be significantly higher ($2,800-$4,000+/year) and some carriers may decline coverage. Budget for potential remediation costs (knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos, lead paint).

Insurance Cost Calculator

Estimate your annual homeowners insurance premium

$425,000$850,000$1,700,000

Leave blank to use town median (1948)

Annual Premium
$3,500
$292/month
vs. State Average
+74%
MA avg: $2,008/year
Risk Category
VERY HIGH
Based on home age

30-Year Mortgage Impact

$105,000

Total insurance cost over 30-year mortgage (equivalent to 0.4% of home value)

Age Penalty

This home costs $1,889 more per year to insure than a newly built home. Over 30 years, that's $56,670 in additional insurance costs.

Ways to Lower Your Premium

  • Bundle home + auto insurance with same carrier (10-25% discount)
  • Increase deductible from $500 to $2,500 (save 15-30%)
  • Install monitored security system (5-20% discount)
  • Update electrical panel and remove knob-and-tube wiring
  • Replace roof with impact-resistant materials (save 5-15%)
  • Upgrade plumbing to PEX or copper
  • Complete full home inspection and address major issues
  • Consider MAPFRE or Chubb for historic home coverage
  • Shop quotes from 5-6 carriers (rates vary significantly)
  • Ask about claims-free discount (5-year history)

* Estimates based on Massachusetts state averages and typical underwriting criteria. Actual premiums vary by carrier, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit score. For accurate quotes, contact a licensed insurance agent.

Construction Era Distribution

2020+
60 units
2010-2019
7.4%
480 units
2000-2009
12%
780 units
1990-1999
13.8%
900 units
1980-1989
15.4%
1,000 units
1970-1979
17.7%
1,150 units
1960-1969
16.9%
1,100 units
1950-1959
14.6%
950 units
1940-1949
10.5%
680 units
Pre-1940
21.5%
1,400 units
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