February 4, 2026 As we move into 2026, vacation rental bookings across Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket continue to show significant growth compared to pre-pandemic levels. While demand surged during the pandemic, we’re now observing a return to more typical travel patterns, leading to a moderation in prices. Rental rates, which experienced substantial increases during peak pandemic years, are stabilizing and returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Strong Booking Trends for 2026
Early bookings for the 2026 season are showing strong momentum. Compared to 2025, bookings are up nearly 20% on Cape Cod, almost 22% on Martha's Vineyard, and almost 16% on Nantucket. At this same point last year, bookings were up more modestly on the Cape and Vineyard and down slightly on Nantucket. Bookings have remained strong since October, which bodes well for the season ahead.
Note: With approximately 38% of total expected bookings already confirmed, the season is still in its early stages, so we anticipate some fluctuations as the months progress.
Rental Rate Stabilization
Rental rates for 2026 are increasing modestly, with prices rising 3–6% overall—a bit higher than the long-term historical averages we've observed over the past 29 years. At the same time, only 9% of homeowners have lowered their rates for 2026 compared to 2025, a significant drop from 32% last year. This shift reflects greater confidence among homeowners and the success of early bookings.
Average price changes:
- Cape Cod: +4.8%
- Martha's Vineyard: +2.9%
- Nantucket: +1.2% (vs. +6.6% last year)
Inventory and Availability
As of the end of January, 7 out of 10 summer weeks are already over 50% booked, signaling high demand. For vacationers looking to secure their ideal rental, now is the time to act before the most sought-after properties are fully booked.
Peak demand is typically for the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August. However, vacationers can often find more availability—and even discounted rates—during the first week of summer and the final two weeks of August, as many homeowners offer reduced prices during these periods to encourage bookings.