Everyone assumes Martha’s Vineyard is the expensive one. The numbers say otherwise — and the difference is significant enough to change your decision.
I’ve been to both islands. Like most people, I assumed Martha’s Vineyard was the pricier of the two — the Obamas, Jackie Onassis, the old money associations run deep. The numbers say otherwise, and the difference matters if money is any part of your decision. Nantucket is more expensive across the board. The ferry costs nearly four times as much for a family. The hotels are pricier. The restaurants are pricier. Even the groceries cost more.
Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard: Which Island Is Right for You?
The one-sentence rule that actually works.
Nantucket
The ferry drops you in town. Everything is walkable within minutes. You can genuinely feel like you saw the island in a day. Compact, polished, immediately satisfying.
Search HotelsMartha’s Vineyard
Six distinct towns, each with its own character. The island rewards time. One day barely scratches the surface. Three days starts to reveal what it actually is.
Search HotelsMartha’s Vineyard
A HI hostel from $48. The Harbor View from $400. Genuine options at every price point. Nantucket has no hostel, no budget hotel option. The White Elephant starts at $1,310/night.
Search RentalsMartha’s Vineyard
The Aquinnah Cliffs — 150-foot multicolored clay cliffs above the Atlantic. Nothing like this exists on Nantucket. Worth the drive up-island specifically to see them.
Search RentalsThe Misconception That Gets Everyone
Martha’s Vineyard has the celebrity associations that make everyone assume it’s the pricier island. The Obamas vacation there. Jackie Onassis had a home there. When most people think “expensive New England island” they think Martha’s Vineyard. They’re wrong.
Nantucket is more expensive across the board. The ferry from Hyannis costs nearly four times as much for a family. Round trip ferry for a family of four to Nantucket on the high-speed runs approximately $400. Round trip to Martha’s Vineyard from Woods Hole runs approximately $60–$200. That’s a $200+ difference before you’ve paid for a single meal or a hotel room. For a week-long trip, that adds up fast.
Martha’s Vineyard has a HI hostel from $48/night. Nantucket has no hostel, no budget hotel option. The White Elephant on Nantucket starts at $1,310/night. The Wauwinet at $1,526/night. The celebrity associations led everyone to the wrong conclusion — including me.
Getting There
Both islands are ferry-dependent from the Massachusetts mainland. Most visitors drive to Cape Cod and take the ferry from Hyannis or the surrounding area. This is where the first major cost difference appears.
By Ferry
| Route | Duration | Approx. Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyannis → Nantucket (high-speed) | 1 hour | $28–$50 one way | Passenger only. Book ahead for summer. |
| Hyannis → Nantucket (traditional) | 2 hrs 15 min | ~$21 one way | Carries cars. Year-round service. |
| Woods Hole → Martha’s Vineyard | 45 min | ~$10–$25 one way | Most frequent service. |
| Hyannis → Martha’s Vineyard | ~1 hour | ~$15–$30 one way | Seasonal. Convenient if already in Hyannis. |
By Air
Both islands have small airports with surprisingly good seasonal service. JetBlue flies seasonally to both from New York. Cape Air flies year-round from Boston. From DC, JetBlue flies from DCA to Nantucket seasonally — Martha’s Vineyard has less direct DC service, most DC travelers connect through Boston or New York.
The fog factor: Both islands are prone to fog delays that affect flights and ferries. Build flexibility into your schedule especially on departure day. A morning departure gives you the best odds of beating the afternoon fog that rolls in off the Atlantic.
The Real Cost Comparison
| Category | Nantucket | Martha’s Vineyard |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry round trip (2 people) | ~$86–$196 | ~$44 |
| Hotel (avg. peak August/night) | $421+ | $332+ |
| Mid-range dinner (per person) | $50–$70 | $45–$60 |
| Budget hotel option | None — no hostel | Yes — HI hostel from $48 |
| Vacation rental (peak week) | Higher overall | More price range |
| Groceries | More expensive | Moderate |
Search Hotels and Rentals on Both Islands
Book early for summer weeks — both islands fill fast. September is the secret season on both: same beauty, half the crowds, significantly lower rates.
The Character Difference
This is the real difference between the islands — and it has nothing to do with price.
Nantucket
One town. One aesthetic. Grey-shingled buildings, white trim, cobblestone streets, the historic whaling district. Everything feels intentional and cohesive. Flat, bikeable, entirely walkable from the ferry. You can see the whole town in a day. More buttoned-up, more preppy, more uniform. The “Nantucket reds” khakis exist because this is genuinely that kind of island.
Martha’s Vineyard
Six towns, each genuinely different. Edgartown — white clapboard elegance, upscale restaurants. Oak Bluffs — colorful gingerbread Victorian cottages, the Flying Horses carousel (oldest in America, 1876). Aquinnah — dramatic 150-foot clay cliffs above the Atlantic. Chilmark and West Tisbury — farm country, rolling hills, the up-island quiet that celebrities specifically seek out. Hilly, varied, requires a car or bike to see properly. One day barely scratches the surface.
The Aquinnah Cliffs are Martha’s Vineyard’s most dramatic feature — 150-foot multicolored clay cliffs at the island’s western tip, a National Historic Landmark. Nothing like this exists on Nantucket. Worth the drive up-island specifically to see them.
The Beaches
Nantucket
All beaches are public and free — no residential access restrictions. Jetties Beach for families, Surfside Beach via the 2.2-mile bike path, Cisco Beach for surfing, Madaket for sunsets, Great Point for remote wilderness. Wide, pristine, and surprisingly uncrowded given the island’s popularity.
Martha’s Vineyard
Over 120 miles of coastline — more variety than Nantucket. From calm harbor beaches perfect for young children to wild Atlantic shores. Important caveat: some of the best beaches are town-resident-only in peak summer. Always check access before you go.
Where to Stay
Nantucket
The White Elephant — Waterfront resort on Nantucket Harbor. The landmark property, commanding views, multiple restaurants, full-service spa. From $1,310/night in peak season. The definitive Nantucket experience for special occasions and couples.
Martha’s Vineyard
Harbor View Hotel (Edgartown) — Historic grand hotel overlooking Edgartown Harbor. From $400/night in peak season. The classic Martha’s Vineyard upscale experience at a more accessible price than comparable Nantucket properties.
HI Martha’s Vineyard — From $48/night. The budget option that doesn’t exist on Nantucket. For solo travelers and budget-conscious visitors, the Vineyard has this. Nantucket simply does not.
Search Both Islands
For families and groups, vacation rentals beat hotel pricing significantly on both islands. Book 4–6 months out for summer weeks.
Who Should Go Where
Choose Nantucket if…
- You have one day and want to feel like you actually saw the island
- You want the ferry to drop you right in the middle of everything walkable
- You love a cohesive, polished New England aesthetic
- Architecture and history are your priorities
- Budget is not a primary concern
Choose Martha’s Vineyard if…
- You have three or more days and want variety
- You want six distinct towns with six distinct personalities
- You’re traveling with a family on a budget — more price options at every level
- You want dramatic landscape including the Aquinnah Cliffs
- You prefer laid-back over buttoned-up
Side by Side: Nantucket vs Martha’s Vineyard
| Category | Nantucket | Martha’s Vineyard |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 44 square miles | 96 square miles |
| Towns | 1 | 6 |
| Ferry from Hyannis | $28–$50 one way (fast) | $10–$25 one way |
| Round trip ferry (2 people) | ~$86–$196 | ~$44 |
| Budget hotel option | None | HI Hostel from $48 |
| Terrain | Flat — great for biking | Hilly — varied, more dramatic |
| Beach access | All beaches public & free | Some resident-only in peak season |
| Best for day trips | Yes — walkable from ferry | Harder — 6 spread-out towns |
| Vibe | Polished, uniform, upscale | Diverse, laid-back, varied |
| Dramatic landscape | Beautiful but flat | Aquinnah Cliffs — spectacular |
I went to both islands assuming Martha’s Vineyard was the expensive one. It isn’t. Nantucket costs more to reach, more to sleep in, more to eat in, and has no budget options whatsoever. The Vineyard — for all its famous summer residents — is genuinely more accessible.
One day — Nantucket. Three days or more — Martha’s Vineyard. Either way, the Atlantic is waiting.