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Small boats moored along a wharf of gray-shingled, flag-flying buildings on Nantucket Harbor.

Living in Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket is an island 30 miles south of Cape Cod that forms its own town and county, with a consolidated town-county government. English settlers arrived in 1659 and the town was incorporated in 1671, first as Sherburne before taking the island's name in 1795. It grew into a major whaling port in the 1700s and 1800s, and its downtown and much of the island are protected today as a National Historic Landmark District.

Nantucket town centerSiasconset (Sconset)MadaketSurfsidePolpis and Wauwinet

By James Allen, NMLS 1216446 · Updated

Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY-SA 2.5

Nantucket at a glance

Nantucket's villages and zip codes

Most of the island uses ZIP code 02554. Siasconset has its own ZIP, 02564.

Nantucket villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Nantucket town center02554The harbor-front downtown around Main Street and Broad Street, with the Town Building, the Whaling Museum and the ferry docks.
Siasconset (Sconset)02564A village at the island's eastern end, with rose-covered cottages, a bluff walk above the ocean, and three of the island's four golf courses nearby.
Madaket02554A low-lying area at the island's western end, facing Madaket Harbor and the Atlantic.
Surfside02554On the south shore, Massachusetts's southernmost settlement, near Surfside Beach.
Polpis and Wauwinet02554The northeastern side of the island along Polpis Harbor, leading out to Great Point and the Coatue peninsula.

Things to do in Nantucket, MA

Start with Nantucket Whaling Museum and Nantucket Atheneum, then 3 more below.

  1. Nantucket Whaling Museum

    Run by the Nantucket Historical Association at the head of Steamboat Wharf, with a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, the restored 1847 Hadwen & Barney oil and candle factory, and galleries of scrimshaw and whaling gear.

    Year-round

    Broad St, Nantucket, MA

    Plan a visit

  2. Nantucket Atheneum

    The island's public library, a Greek Revival building on India Street that also serves as a community gathering place.

    FreeYear-round

    1 India St, Nantucket, MA 02554

  3. Maria Mitchell Association campus

    A cluster of small science and history buildings on Vestal Street, including astronomer Maria Mitchell's 1790 birthplace house, a natural science museum, and the Loines and Vestal Street observatories.

    Seasonal

    Vestal St, Nantucket, MA

  4. Siasconset bluff walk

    A public path along the ocean bluff above Siasconset village, past rose-covered cottages; the exposed bluff has experienced erosion in recent years.

    FreeYear-round

    Siasconset, Nantucket, MA

  5. Brant Point Light

    A small lighthouse at the entrance to Nantucket Harbor, one of three historic lighthouses on the island along with Sankaty Head and Great Point.

    FreeYear-round

    Brant Point, Nantucket, MA

More worth a visit

  • Nantucket bike path networkPaved paths connect town to Surfside, Madaket, Siasconset and other parts of the island for cycling.

A little history

The English settlement that became Nantucket began in 1659; the town was incorporated in 1671 and was known as Sherburne until it was renamed Nantucket in 1795.

Nantucket was one of the world's leading whaling ports in the 18th and 19th centuries; the industry declined after the Great Fire of 1846 and as harbor silting kept out larger ships, with New Bedford taking over as the region's main whaling port.

Nantucket's town core was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1966, and the designation was expanded to cover the whole island in 1975.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Nantucket

Nantucket's outdoor life centers on its beaches, harbor and a paved bike path network reaching most of the island's villages.

  • Surfside BeachA south-shore ocean beach near the village of Surfside, reachable by bike path from town.
  • Madaket BeachA beach on the island's western end, facing the open Atlantic near Madaket Harbor.
  • Siasconset bluff walk and golf coursesOcean bluff path and three of the island's four golf courses near Siasconset village.
  • Nantucket HarborThe town's working harbor and mooring field, lined with wharves and small boats.

Walkability and getting around Nantucket

Downtown Nantucket, around cobblestone Main Street and the harbor, is compact and walkable with shops, museums and restaurants close together. Villages like Siasconset have their own small walkable centers, but Madaket, Polpis and other outlying areas are spread out and generally require a car, bike or the shuttle bus.

Siasconset (Sconset)

Check any Nantucket address

Drive times

  • Hyannis (via ferry), about 30 miles60-135 (ferry) min
  • Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK), about 3 miles5-10 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

The NRTA 'Wave' shuttle bus runs fixed routes across the island, including to the airport, Surfside, Madaket, Miacomet and Siasconset, plus an on-demand rideshare-style service; rides have been offered free through MassDOT funding. Year-round ferry service to the mainland runs via the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises, with seasonal boats from New Bedford and Harwich. There is no train service to or on Nantucket; Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) has year-round flights, including Cape Air, JetBlue and American Eagle, with the busiest schedules in summer.

Nantucket property taxes

Nantucket's FY2026 residential tax rate is $3.12 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $5.29. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $312 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $9,904, on an average assessed value of $3,174,340.

Nantucket's FY2026 tax rates

$3.12per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$3.12 per $1,000
  • Commercial, industrial, personal property$5.29 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$3,174,340
  • Average single-family tax bill$9,904
  • Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value

Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.

Nantucket property tax calculator

$
Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

Add it to a full payment estimate

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$3.74
FY2023$3.21
FY2024$3.13
FY2025$3.28
FY2026$3.12

Look up a Nantucket property

Buying a home in Nantucket

What we check on a Nantucket purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells, coastal erosion, ferry access.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Nantucket County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

As a low-lying island, Nantucket has extensive FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones, and the town's 2021 coastal resilience plan lays out projects meant to address sea-level rise and shoreline erosion, including the erosion affecting the Siasconset bluff. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Nantucket
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Nantucket Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-228-2323 to schedule.

Septic & wells

Much of the island relies on private septic and water systems

Outside Nantucket's downtown sewer service area, homes typically use private septic systems, and some rely on private wells rather than the town water system. Buyers should confirm which utilities serve a specific property before making an offer.

Coastal erosion

Bluff and shoreline erosion affects some areas

Parts of the island, including the bluff below Siasconset, have experienced significant erosion, and the town has adopted a coastal resilience plan addressing sea-level rise. Buyers of shorefront or bluff-top property should ask about erosion history and any mitigation in place.

Ferry access

Nantucket is reached only by boat or plane

There is no bridge to Nantucket; residents and buyers rely on the Steamship Authority or Hy-Line ferries from the Cape, or Nantucket Memorial Airport, and service can be affected by weather, especially in winter.

All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Nantucket?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Nantucket address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Call (860) 398-5268 Text us Email the team

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Nantucket: utilities, trash and town building

Who to call in Nantucket: National Grid, through its Nantucket Electric Company subsidiary for power.

Town Building offices and contacts

Nantucket Town Building is at 16 Broad St, Nantucket, MA 02554. Main line: 508-228-7200.

Nantucket, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Nantucket, MA?

Nantucket's FY2026 residential tax rate is $3.12 per $1,000 of assessed value. Commercial, industrial and personal property pay $5.29. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Nantucket?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $1,248 a year at $3.12 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Nantucket have a split tax rate?

Yes. Homes pay $3.12 per $1,000 and commercial, industrial and personal property pay $5.29.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Nantucket?

The average single-family tax bill in Nantucket was $9,904 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $3,174,340.

What ZIP codes does Nantucket use?

Most of the island uses 02554. Siasconset has its own ZIP code, 02564.

Is there a bridge to Nantucket?

No. Nantucket is reached by ferry (Steamship Authority or Hy-Line Cruises, year-round, with seasonal boats from New Bedford and Harwich) or by air through Nantucket Memorial Airport.

Is there public transit on the island?

Yes. The NRTA 'Wave' shuttle bus runs fixed routes across the island, including to the airport, Surfside, Madaket, Miacomet and Siasconset, plus an on-demand rideshare-style service.

Who supplies electricity on Nantucket?

National Grid, through its Nantucket Electric Company subsidiary. There is no natural gas pipeline to the island.

Does Nantucket have town water and sewer?

The town-owned Wannacomet Water Company supplies water, and town sewer covers downtown and parts of the island; many outlying properties use private wells and septic systems.

What is Nantucket's government structure?

Nantucket is unusual in Massachusetts in that the town and Nantucket County share the same government and boundaries.

Sources