Ipswich, MA vs Nantucket, MA

The cost of living difference between Ipswich, MA and Nantucket, MA is dramatic. Ipswich is 42.2% cheaper than Nantucket, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ipswich has a cost index of 130 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 Ipswich is $1,456/month compared to $2,484/month in Nantucket — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ipswich is more affordable at $570,500 median vs $1,359,200.

Median household income in Ipswich is $92,969 compared to $109,988 in Nantucket (-15.5%). 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 Ipswich spend roughly 18.8% 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). Ipswich receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 40.9" in Nantucket.