For most people who can afford it, yes. Swampscott grades A− overall, 110th of 282 graded towns in Massachusetts. Few places in the country are easier to get around without a car. CDC estimates put its residents' health ahead of 92% of the country and the median household earns $134K. The catch is cost: the typical home is worth about $814K, 7 years of the Boston metro’s $116K median household income. History is its standout character grade: an A+, better than 99% of U.S. towns, with 5 places on the National Register. Swampscott’s median rent is $2,303 a month, where Massachusetts’ towns sit at $1,682 a month and U.S. towns at $1,185 a month. On history, just 15 of Massachusetts’ 325 towns do better. The biggest park or preserve is Harold A. King Town Forest, at 51 acres.

StrongestA⁺History A⁺Walkability AHealthWeakestD⁻Cost of living

What makes Swampscott stand out

Where Swampscott beats most towns.

Elihu Thomson House

HistoryA⁺

Settled in 1629

A history going back 397 years.

WalkabilityA⁺

More walkable than 99% of U.S. towns

13% of workers walk, bike or ride transit

EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.

Elihu Thomson House · National Register of Historic Places

Swampscott’s story

397 years in pictures

Elihu Thomson House is a National Historic Landmark, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1629, comes before those of 94% of the Massachusetts towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 1,530 in 1860, 15,111 in 2020. The archive holds 23 old photos and papers going back to 1881 and 7 maps from 1892 on.

5 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1629Swampscott is settled

Explore the history →

How Swampscott grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Massachusetts), ordered by how far Swampscott is from typical.

How grading works

Its grades run from A+ for walkability (better than 99% of comparable towns) to D− for cost of living (better than 3%), so the A− overall blends very different results.

WalkabilityEPA walkability 14.6 of 20; 5.6% of households have no carA⁺Open →Cost of livingD⁻Open →HealthNorth Shore Medical Center 3.2 miles awayAOpen →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 13% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listAOpen →Jobs & incomeA⁻Open →SafetyB⁺Open →SchoolsBOpen →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors5 miles of trails; 8% conserved landAOpen →History13 notable people born hereA⁺Open →Civic life3.6 library visits per resident; 4.3 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market27 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 44.5; 62% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

Fenway Park and 158 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Swampscott. Close and well known come first.

All 235 attractions →

Big draw14 mi Stadium & arenaFenway Park

Big draw32 mi Stadium & arenaGillette Stadium

Big draw14 mi MuseumIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum

11 mi AttractionFreedom Trail

11 mi MuseumBunker Hill Monument

14 mi MuseumMuseum of Fine Arts Boston477K visitors a year

Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons

Photo credits

Fenway Park: Gatorfan252525, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gillette Stadium: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Sean Dungan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Freedom Trail: Ingfbruno, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Bunker Hill Monument: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Martin~jawiki at Japanese Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting set up

Moving to Swampscott: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Swampscott, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerNational Grid33.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterSwampscott Water Dept. (Mwra)No health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpBy addressTown’s hauler · day by addressTown site

SchoolsSwampscott School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn Massachusetts you can register online until 10 days before Election Day, in person until 10 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 10 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereSwampscott Town ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023

ZIP code0190701907 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Swampscott.

Swampscott is safe by national standards but not by Massachusetts’s and is healthy by national standards but mid-pack in Massachusetts; it also has a long record of flood insurance claims.

HealthA

Swampscott’s grade for health is an A

Within Massachusetts it is healthier than 68% of the 279 graded towns: Massachusetts sets a high bar. Its widest gap with Massachusetts is tooth loss: 6.2% of those 65+ have lost all their teeth, against 11.9% statewide.

29% of adults feel lonely in Swampscott. Swampscott beats the Massachusetts average on 14 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 1. 9.4% of adults smoke cigarettes in Swampscott.

92%healthier than U.S. townsAHealth Grade

	Swampscott	Massachusetts towns	U.S. towns
Feel lonely (CDC PLACES)	29%	33%	33%
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)	14%	16%	17%
Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES)	9.4%	11%	14%
Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES)	83%	82%	79%

32 measures vs. Massachusetts

14 better17 too close to call1 worse

What stands out	Swampscott	MA
Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth	6.2%	11.9%
Fewer uninsured adults	3.3%	5.2%
More adults who have had cancer	10.7%	8.5%

North Shore Medical Center

3.2 mi away · emergency room

None

primary care, dental or mental-health shortage

67th

percentile among MA towns

Full pageSwampscott’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsFewer smokers Hospitals & doctors nearby3.2 miles to an ER · North Shore Medical Center How adults are doingFewer adults lacking emotional support Every CDC estimateBetter than MA on 14 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

SchoolsB

Swampscott’s schools rank ahead of 57% of Massachusetts districts

Its public schools are run by the Swampscott school district. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Swampscott High, with 706 students.

57%of MA districts it outscoresBSchool Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Swampscott Elementary SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–4	Grades K–4	734	–
Swampscott HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	706	A

Full pageSwampscott’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsSwampscott Vs. the neighborsAhead of 2 of its 3 graded neighbors Every school3 schools · Swampscott Elementary School Questions“Are Swampscott’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within MA on state tests and graduation

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A

Very low risk in Swampscott, with inland flooding at the top

319 flood insurance claims have been filed here, and 49 properties have flooded more than once.

Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 87% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 319 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Swampscott.

13risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingHurricanesEarthquakes

319

paid flood claims since 1978

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageSwampscott’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesVery low risk Flood claims319 paid flood claims · Since 1978 Past disasters12 federal disasters · Paid out in Swampscott Get ready2.7 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Work & commuteJobs & income grade A⁻

Swampscott has 0.5 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out

27.2% of workers work from home, against 18.6% across Massachusetts.

Most working residents leave Swampscott for work: only 8% work in town. 27% of Swampscott workers work from home. Jobs based in Swampscott grew to 3,140 in 2023, 526 more than in 2013.

8%work in town

	Swampscott	Massachusetts towns	U.S. towns
Work from home	27%	18%	11%
Average trip to work	34 minutes	30 minutes	25 minutes
Median household income	$134,000	$120,000	$80,000
Below the poverty line	7.1%	6%	9.6%

Where working residents work

In Swampscott8%

Boston25%

Lynn8%

Salem6%

Marblehead4%

11 mi

median commute distance

3,140

jobs based in Swampscott

A commuter town

jobs vs. working residents

A+

Walkability grade: among the most walkable U.S. towns

Full pageSwampscott’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here3,140 jobs based here · A commuter town Where people work8% work in Swampscott Commute times34 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 11 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

HousingCost of living grade D⁻

Swampscott’s grade for cost of living is a D−

The typical Swampscott home is worth about $814,000, up 2.4% in a year, 24% above the Massachusetts typical home.

$814KZillow home value

Typical home value

Swampscott$814K

Massachusetts$655K

Market temperature

days on market

100.1%

sale-to-list price

+2.4%

value change, 1 year

homes sold in May

Full pageSwampscott’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 2.4% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 6.1 years of income Rents$2,303 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsBehind its 3 graded neighbors

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

SafetyB⁺

Crime per resident in Swampscott is lower than in 67% of U.S. towns

At 12.4 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports more crime than 52% of Massachusetts’s graded towns. Reported crimes rose from 114 to 164 over the last three FBI years, a rise beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.

67%of U.S. towns report more crimeB⁺Safety Grade

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Swampscott1.3

Massachusetts3

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Swampscott9.1

Massachusetts10.4

U.S.15.5

67th

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

48th

percentile among MA towns

violent crimes reported in 2025

144

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageSwampscott’s safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type1.3 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsUp since 2023 Vs. the neighborsAhead of 2 of its 3 graded neighbors Questions“Is Swampscott, MA safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

Climate

In Swampscott, expect four seasons and pleasant summers

Swampscott has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain. The July high in Swampscott is 81°F.

39″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter23–39°

Spring38–56°

Summer61–78°

Fall45–62°

Oct 20

typical first frost

Apr 25

typical last frost

+1.9°

vs. the 20th-century average

Full pageSwampscott’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 81°, January lows 20°Rain & snow39″ of snow a winter · 48 inches of rain and snow a year Heating & coolingMostly a heating bill Then and now+1.9° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

OutdoorsA

Swampscott has set aside 8.1% of its land for conservation

4.7 miles of trail in 9 parks and preserves. Swampscott’s trail density is 0.7 miles per square mile. The biggest park or preserve is Harold A. King Town Forest, at 51 acres.

#248for trails in MA

	Swampscott	Massachusetts towns	U.S. towns
Miles of trail per square mile	0.7 miles per square mile	1.8	0.4
Conserved land	8.1%	19%	4.3%

8.1%

conserved · 344 of 4,266 acres

4.7 mi

of trails · 0.7 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Harold A. King Town Forest	0.8 mi	51
2. Jackson Park	—	21
3. Phillips Park	—	18

Full pageSwampscott’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map4.7 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk0.8 miles of trail · Harold A. King Town Forest Conserved land8.1% conserved · 344 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Swampscott?”

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Swampscott

20pages on Swampscott

The big questions

SchoolsBBeat 57% of MA districts · 3 schools SafetyB⁺1.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthABetter than MA on 14 of 32 CDC measures Cost of livingD⁻$814K typical home · up 2.4% in a year Work & commuteA⁻$134K median household income · 3,140 jobs here Natural hazardsAFEMA risk higher than 13% of U.S. communities · inland flooding

Out and about

OutdoorsA5 mi of trails · 8% conserved land PlacesAttractions235 nearby · Lynn Heritage State Park 3 mi LibraryB3.6 library visits per resident CollegesSalem State University is 2.5 mi away

The story

HistoryA⁺Settled 1629 · 5 on the National Register Famous people13 born in Swampscott Town Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 33 residents Climate81° summer highs · 39″ of snow

Day to day

News2 recent stories about Swampscott WeatherHandbookZIP code 01907 Town SquareNeighbors

After high school

Colleges nearby

37 within 15 miles of the center of Swampscott

Salem State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Salem2.5 mi$12,338 in-state tuition Montserrat College of ArtUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Beverly5.7 mi$40,690 tuition North Shore Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Danvers9.3 mi$5,352 in-state tuition

About 5 of every 100 Swampscott residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across Massachusetts.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

A commuter town

92% of working residents leave Swampscott for work

Where Swampscott’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.

3,140jobs based in Swampscott

8%of working residents work in town

11 mimedian commute distance

Census LEHD 2023

Landmarks

5 places in Swampscott on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Elihu Thomson HouseNational Historic Landmark

Swampscott Fish House

Sir John Humphreys House

Swampscott Railroad Depot

Famous people from Swampscott

13 notable people were born in Swampscott.

See all 13 →

Mabel Wheeler DanielsAmerican composer · 1877–1971

Peggy Stuart CoolidgeAmerican conductor · 1913–1981

Francis Newton ThorpeAmerican historian · 1857–1926

Mary MorrisAmerican actress · 1895–1970

Sarah P. HarknessAmerican architect · 1914–2013

Harold AlfondBusinessman and philanthropist · 1914–2007

About Swampscott

Town in Massachusetts, United States

Official town website ↗

Swampscott () is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, located 15 miles (24 km) up the coast from Boston in an area known as the North Shore. The population was 15,111 as of the 2020 United States census. A former summer resort on Massachusetts Bay, Swampscott is today a fairly affluent residential community and includes the village of Beach Bluff, as well as part of the neighborhood of Clifton.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1629
Area: 6.7 sq mi
Elevation: 46 ft
ZIP code: 01907

Swampscott’s neighbors

3 towns share a border with Swampscott.

Explore the map →

Lynn next door grades lower for schools (D to Swampscott’s B) and higher for cost of living (C− to D−).

SalemLynnMarbleheadSwampscott

Salem

N · 6% of Swampscott workers commute here

Visit

Lynn

W · 8% of Swampscott workers commute here

Visit

Marblehead

NE · 4% of Swampscott workers commute here

Visit

How the neighbors grade

Town	MA rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Swampscott	#110	A⁻	D⁻	B⁺	B	A
Salem	#234	C	D	B⁻	D	A⁻
Lynn	#266	D	C⁻	C⁻	D	C⁺
Marblehead	#40	A⁺	D	A⁻	A⁻	A⁺

Compare Swampscott with a neighbor →

Questions about Swampscott

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Swampscott, MA a good place to live?

For most people who can afford it, yes. Swampscott grades A− overall, better than 75% of U.S. towns and #110 of 282 in Massachusetts. It grades A for health, B+ for safety and B for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D−.

Is Swampscott, MA expensive?

Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.

What is Swampscott, MA known for?

13 notable people were born here, including Mabel Wheeler Daniels and Peggy Stuart Coolidge.

Post to Swampscott

Check your email

SwampscottMA

Is Swampscott a good place to live?

What makes Swampscott stand out

397 years in pictures

How Swampscott grades

Fenway Park and 158 more within 40 miles

Moving to Swampscott: who provides what

The data

Swampscott’s grade for health is an A

Swampscott’s schools rank ahead of 57% of Massachusetts districts

Very low risk in Swampscott, with inland flooding at the top

Swampscott has 0.5 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out

Where working residents work

Swampscott’s grade for cost of living is a D−

Typical home value

Crime per resident in Swampscott is lower than in 67% of U.S. towns

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Property crime per 1,000 residents

In Swampscott, expect four seasons and pleasant summers

Typical low → high °F

Swampscott has set aside 8.1% of its land for conservation

Everything we know about Swampscott

Colleges nearby

92% of working residents leave Swampscott for work

Landmarks

Famous people from Swampscott

About Swampscott

Swampscott’s neighbors

Questions about Swampscott