Nantucket

Boats along the Old North Warf.
Aerial view of Nantucket's beaches.
Shopping in Downtown Nantucket.

Nantucket, MA Area Guide

Where history and beauty surround you

Historic Coastal Scenic

Welcome to Nantucket, a historic island destination off the coast of Massachusetts known for its cobblestone streets and preserved whaling-era architecture. Located 30 miles south of Cape Cod, this island community of approximately 8,700 year-round residents features pristine beaches and a rich maritime heritage. Housing options include classic New England-style homes, from cottages to waterfront properties, though seasonal demand affects availability. Notable areas include Madaket, with its stunning sunsets; Siasconset ('Sconset), featuring rose-covered cottages; and Brant Point, home to the iconic lighthouse.

Life on Nantucket centers around its natural landscapes and historic downtown district. The island maintains strict preservation guidelines to protect its architectural heritage, while offering modern amenities throughout its commercial areas. Massachusetts currently shows an average one-bedroom rent of $2,519 with a 2.4% year-over-year increase, though Nantucket's rental market reflects its island location and seasonal patterns. The community calendar features several signature events, including the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival in May and the Christmas Stroll in December, both drawing visitors from across the region to celebrate the island's culture and traditions.

Explore the City

Aerial view of Nantucket's beaches.

Shopping in Downtown Nantucket.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Nantucket, MA is 136.2% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Nantucket is 337.8% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $0 - $0. You can expect to pay 8.3% more for groceries, 1.3% less for utilities, and 106.1% more for transportation.

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Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

20 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

40 / 100

Schools

Nantucket Intermediate School

Public

Grades K-5

372 Students

Nantucket Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

376 Students

Cyrus Peirce Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

355 Students

Nantucket High

Public

Grades 9-12

550 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Loines Observatory
  • Vestal Street Observatory
  • Natural Science Museum
  • MMA Aquarium
  • Linda Loring Nature Foundation

Commuter Rail

Airports

  • Nantucket Memorial
  • Martha's Vineyard

Top Apartments in Nantucket

Houses for Rent in Nantucket

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.