Nantucket, MA vs Northampton, MA

The cost of living difference between Nantucket, MA and Northampton, MA is dramatic. Northampton is 101.4% cheaper than Nantucket, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Nantucket has a cost index of 224 while Northampton sits at 111, 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 Nantucket is $2,484/month compared to $1,404/month in Northampton — a 77% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Northampton is more affordable at $398,000 median vs $1,359,200.

Median household income in Nantucket is $109,988 compared to $78,467 in Northampton (+40.2%). 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 Nantucket spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Northampton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.7°F vs 49.4°F). Northampton receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 40.9" in Nantucket.