Which place is cheaper, Nantucket or Atlantic City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Atlantic City and Nantucket. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Atlantic City is a colorful, glitzy, and flashy city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.
Nantucket is a peaceful, upscale, and charming island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Nantucket. Although Atlantic City and Nantucket are both popular with visitors, Nantucket has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nantucket is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Atlantic City is known for its nightlife. Atlantic City is more touristy than Nantucket and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Nantucket is popular for its pristine beaches, upscale atmosphere, and history of whaling. It is also home to Great Point Lighthouse.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nantucket and Atlantic City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Nantucket is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.
Nantucket is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums around town that educate visitors on the island's whaling history and maritime past.
While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.
Nantucket is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
Eat your way through Nantucket, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Upscale eateries where you can look out on the water make dining on this island a true experience. There are raw bars, seafood restaurants, and local cafes with elaborate salads and duck carnitas. Dishes usually use the highest quality fresh ingredients and chefs bring their "A game" with every customer.
Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.
Atlantic City is renowned for nightlife. Also, Nantucket is not as popular, but is still a nice island for nightlife and partying.
Atlantic City is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Nantucket. You'll find a number of bars and a lively singles scene in town. There's also live music and a laid back but active atmosphere in the evening.
There are high quality resorts to choose from in both Atlantic City and Nantucket.
There are plenty of resorts in Atlantic City to choose from. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.
Nantucket is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and upscale inns offer guests a relaxed setting with oceanfront views and family-friendly activities.
Nantucket is well known for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.
Many people visit Nantucket for it's beautiful beaches. You'll find the calmest water at the northern beaches, and cooler water with rougher surf to the south. Many of the beaches are accessible from town, but parking can be limited. There are both public and private beaches, each with beautiful settings and relaxing vibes.
Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.
Nantucket is well known for its historic old town. However, Atlantic City does not have a historic old town.
There are many historical things to see in the old town of Nantucket. The Historic District is filled with New England charm, cobblestone streets, and upscale boutiques. There are many great restaurants and a lot of historic character.
Atlantic City does not have a historic old town.
Nantucket is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.
You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Nantucket. The island is easy to explore on foot, and its covered with hiking trails that follow the serene coastline or take you through forests, bogs, and marshland.
Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.
Nantucket is well known for shopping. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
Nantucket is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic District is filled with boutiques, art galleries, and upscale shops. It's the perfect place to spend an afternoon wandering around and shopping.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.
Nantucket is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.
Nantucket is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a calm beach that's perfect for kids as well as quaint ice cream shops and plenty of New England charm. The town is also filled with hiking and biking trails.
For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.
Nantucket is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
Nantucket is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The New England charm, natural beauty, and relaxing coastal atmosphere make this a perfect romantic destination. There are also many romantic places to stay and great local restaurants.
Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.
Atlantic City is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantucket is not known for backpackers.
Atlantic City is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.
Nantucket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's known for its upscale atmosphere that isn't particularly accommodating for backpackers.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Atlantic City and Nantucket.
You'll find some public transit in Atlantic City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.
While Nantucket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses around the island that operate with greater frequency during the summer months.
Atlantic City and Nantucket both are high quality when exploring on foot.
Atlantic City is very walkable. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.
Nantucket is a very walkable city. The town is very walkable and parking can be challenging, so it's best to leave your car in the ferry parking lot.
For even more information, also check out Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting? and Is Nantucket Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Atlantic City or Nantucket. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Nantucket due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 2-4 days is enough time in Nantucket.
Families should spend more time in Nantucket than Atlantic City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nantucket, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Nantucket than Atlantic City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nantucket that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nantucket than Atlantic City if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Nantucket.
You'll find food and shopping around the city of Atlantic City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlantic City has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Even though Nantucket is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find shopping and nightlife around the party-oriented destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantucket. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Atlantic City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Nantucket is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
Atlantic City is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Nantucket is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlantic City is $154, while the average daily cost in Nantucket is $350. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Atlantic City and Nantucket in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Atlantic City or Nantucket? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Atlantic City:
Prices for flights to both Nantucket and Atlantic City change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Here are a few actual costs in Atlantic City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlantic City and Nantucket, we can see that Nantucket is more expensive. And not only is Atlantic City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlantic City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlantic City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Nantucket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nantucket than you might in Atlantic City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atlantic City Expensive? and Is Nantucket Expensive?.
Atlantic City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nantucket. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Nantucket, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Nantucket and Atlantic City during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nantucket in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Atlantic City is a little warmer than Nantucket in the summer. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 75°F (24°C) in July, and Nantucket fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Nantucket. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Nantucket. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nantucket for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Atlantic City is a little warmer than Nantucket. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlantic City in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Nantucket averages at about 53°F (12°C).
Nantucket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Nantucket. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Nantucket. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Nantucket because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Nantucket can be very cold. Atlantic City can be very cold during winter. In January, Atlantic City is generally around the same temperature as Nantucket. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 31°F (-0°C), and Nantucket fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).
It's quite rainy in Nantucket. Atlantic City usually gets less rain in January than Nantucket. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Nantucket and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the beaches. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantucket this time of year.
Atlantic City is a little warmer than Nantucket in the spring. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 51°F (10°C) in April, and Nantucket fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nantucket. In April, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Nantucket. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Atlantic City | Nantucket | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 31°F (-0°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
Apr | 51°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
May | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Jul | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Aug | 74°F (23°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
Sep | 67°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |