Nantucket, MA vs Rockport, MA

The cost of living difference between Nantucket, MA and Rockport, MA is dramatic. Rockport is 47.7% cheaper than Nantucket, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Nantucket has a cost index of 224 while Rockport sits at 152, 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 $1,848/month in Rockport — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rockport is more affordable at $694,300 median vs $1,359,200.

Median household income in Nantucket is $109,988 compared to $86,250 in Rockport (+27.5%). The higher salaries in Nantucket partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Nantucket spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, more than the 25.7% in Rockport.

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