The Coastal Wealth Exception: Why Cohasset Breaks All the Income-to-Asset Rules

Cohasset's $187K median income (#20 in state) supporting $1.38M homes (#16) reveals asset-driven wealth—buyers deploy accumulated capital (7.4:1 income-to-asset ratio vs conventional 4:1). Like Nantucket ($3M homes, $119K income), Cohasset operates where external wealth meets coastal lifestyle. Not a W-2 conversion market—an inheritance/equity/business-exit destination.

Buyers with accumulated capital seeking coastal access; families with inheritance or equity liquidation; business exit proceeds deployment; retirees downsizing from larger wealth; understanding asset-driven vs income-driven market dynamics.

• •Cohasset: 7.4:1 income-to-asset ratio (vs conventional 4:1) = external wealth market
• •Nantucket parallel: $3M homes, $119K income (25:1 ratio) = pure asset storage
• •52.7% five-year appreciation driven by coastal demand + pandemic migration
• •South Shore positioning: 35-40 min Boston commute makes Cohasset hybrid income/asset market
• •Not for W-2 earners converting salaries—for capital deployers seeking coastal lifestyle