Boston vs Nashville
Massachusetts Legal but Limited | Tennessee Legal but Limited
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Boston, Massachusetts | Nashville, Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal but Limited |
| Permit Fee | $25 registration fee | $313 permit fee |
| Tax Rate | 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax | 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $300/day for unregistered listing | $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
Boston, Massachusetts
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $25 registration fee
Tax Rate 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unregistered listing
Nashville, Tennessee
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $313 permit fee
Tax Rate 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
Boston Overview
Only primary-residence units may be listed as STRs. Investor-owned (non-owner-occupied) short-term rentals are prohibited. Must register with the city and carry $1M liability insurance.
Full Boston guide →Nashville Overview
Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.
Full Nashville guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Boston or Nashville?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Nashville is "Legal but Limited." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to $313 permit fee in Nashville.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or Nashville?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. Nashville: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations.