Gloucester, MA vs Nantucket, MA

The cost of living difference between Gloucester, MA and Nantucket, MA is dramatic. Gloucester is 42.3% cheaper than Nantucket, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gloucester has a cost index of 129 while Nantucket sits at 224, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gloucester is $1,395/month compared to $2,484/month in Nantucket — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gloucester is more affordable at $587,800 median vs $1,359,200.

Median household income in Gloucester is $87,898 compared to $109,988 in Nantucket (-20.1%). Nantucket does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Gloucester spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, less than the 27.1% in Nantucket.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 50.7°F). Gloucester receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 40.9" in Nantucket.