In 2016 alone, more than 6,000 New Jersey hosts earned over $50 million by renting out their home or a room to visitors through Airbnb.

Catherine Yeulet, ThinkStock
Catherine Yeulet, ThinkStock
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Representing a 100 percent increase compared to 2015, New Jerseyans welcomed approximately 257,000 people for a short stay last year, according to figures released this month by the San Francisco-based company.

Airbnb said the typical New Jersey host earns $6,200 in supplemental income annually, often using the extra cash to make rent or mortgage payments, save for retirement or repay student loans.

Typical listings are occupied 44 nights per year, the company said, and the average length of stay is about four nights.

“We are proud to see that more and more New Jerseyans have discovered home sharing as an opportunity to share their community with visitors from around the world, and earn a little bit of extra money along the way," said Josh Meltzer, head of northeast public policy for Airbnb. "From the Jersey Shore to Jersey City, Airbnb hosts are ambassadors to the Garden State and we are grateful they have embraced home sharing as a way to welcome thousands of visitors.”

New Jersey's top five cities by number of guest arrivals:

  1. Jersey City: $11.35 million through 53,828 guest arrivals
  2. Union City: $4.3 million through 22,592 guest arrivals
  3. Ocean City: $2.7 million through 15,403 guest arrivals
  4. Weehawken: $3.2 million through 14,166 guest arrivals
  5. Atlantic City: $1.4 million through 11,244 guest arrivals

Jersey City and Newark reached agreements over the past several months to “legalize” Airbnb in their cities and impose a 6 percent hotel tax.

State legislation is required to extend the lodging tax to all short-term rentals, Airbnb said.

Several towns in North Jersey have banned short-term stays through services such as Airbnb, mainly due to safety concerns and complaints from residents.

Peter Schottenfels, Airbnb's northeast press secretary, said these kind of stays give visitors an opportunity to "live like a local."

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Contact reporter Dino Flammia at dino.flammia@townsquaremedia.com.

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