$813,368Average Value$447Average Price per Sq Ft69Homes For Sale
Crescent Beach State Park in Cape Elizabeth offers one of southern Maine’s only sandy shores.
Scarborough has great schools and sandy beaches near Portland
Scarborough rides the crest of Saco Bay in southern Maine, about 7 miles south of Portland. Outdoor lovers enjoy its sandy beaches, cycling paths and saltwater marsh teeming with birdlife. Coastal Route 1 skims through town and hooks to Interstate 295 for an easy commute to Portland. Like neighboring Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough has a highly rated school district that draws families. And as an added bonus, home prices are lower here.
The housing market in Scarborough is steady year-round
Most people who live in Scarborough own their homes and live here full-time. “I would not consider Scarborough seasonal. It’s more of a year-round residential place, for sure,” says Martha Hiat, an associate broker with eXp Realty – Brett Davis Office who’s lived in the area since 1989. “I would consider that it has evolved into kind of a corporate community . . . There is a range of folks living there, but it also lends itself to people who work i n banking, people who work in insurance, people who work in those types of corporate jobs.”
On average, properties sell about three weeks after going on the market. Some manufactured homes cost under $100,000, but cottages and small ranch-style houses start in the lower $300,000s and large modern farmhouses can sell for around $1.5 million. Some luxury homes fetch prices from $3 million to $4 million. The median home sale price is around $700,000, which is lower than the median in Cape Elizabeth but slightly higher than Portland’s median. Property taxes in Cumberland County are on the higher side, but again, you’ll typically pay less in Scarborough than you would in Cape Elizabeth.
Homes in Scarborough often include larger lots with spacious front yards.
New apartment developments are adding housing options across Scarborough.
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Scarborough Public Schools is a highly rated district
Kids attend schools in the highly rated Scarborough Public Schools district. Depending on their address, kids might start at one of three primary schools:
Blue Point
Eight Corners
Pleasant Hill
For grades 3 through 5, students move to Wentworth, the district’s top-rated elementary school. Wentworth School is tucked between the middle and high schools in the Oak Hill neighborhood.
Eight Corners Primary School serves early-grade students in Scarborough.
Scarborough Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 within the local district.
Scarborough High School is part of the highly rated Scarborough Public Schools district.
Wentworth School in Scarborough is a highly rated elementary school in the district.
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The coastline offers sandy beaches, tide pools and nature trails
Winters in Maine can be harsh, but the summers make up for it, especially in coastal towns like this one. At Ferry Beach State Park, kids can explore the tidal pools and romp on the playground. Anglers head to Pine Point Beach early in the morning to fish for stripers before the beach fills up with sunbathers and sandcastles. Pine Point is also a popular spot for watching the sunset. During peak season, lifeguards are on duty at Scarborough Beach State Park, which features picnic areas and another long stretch of sand. Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, a salt marsh woven through with nature trails, offers prime bird-watching. Cyclists, joggers and walkers can hit the Eastern Trail, which cuts through Scarborough on its 65-mile path from Kittery to South Portland.
Pine Point Beach in Scarborough offers sandy shores and sunset views along Saco Bay.
Scarborough Marsh draws kayakers to its tidal waterways and bird-filled salt marsh.
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The commute to Portland takes 10 to 15 minutes
Aside from seasonal gigs and a few roles in public works and law enforcement, there’s not much of a job market in Scarborough. The Hannaford supermarket chain is based here, but corporate jobs don’t open up very often. “Scarborough’s kind of a hub, in terms of people live there, and then they’ll work north, south, east and west,” Hiat says. “Some people who live in Scarborough probably work in New Hampshire, honestly. But Portland would be an area of commute, for sure.” The drive to Portland typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Dunstan Tap and Table in Scarborough serves American fare in a casual setting.
Scarborough neighborhoods from Oak Hill to Prouts Neck
What are your main reasons for moving to Scarborough? Your answer to that question will help you decide which neighborhood might be best for you. Here are a few of the most popular areas:
Oak Hill –close to schools, restaurants and shopping, including groceries at Hannaford
Dunstan Corner –between Interstate 95 and Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
Pine Point – prime access to beaches, seafood restaurants and local shops
Prouts Neck – homes with ocean views and private beach access
If you’re looking for a home in a more rural setting, check out properties west of the interstate toward the towns of Buxton and Gorham. You won’t be as close to the beach, but you’ll have more privacy and room to spread out, and you’ll be well away from the crazy Route 1 summer traffic.
Old Orchard Beach, about 10 minutes from Scarborough, is known for sandy shores and a pier.
The difference between summer and winter on the Maine coast
What’s it like in Scarborough in the winter versus the summer? “The nightlife, restaurants, shopping and stuff like that . . . I don’t think anything closes up, but I’m sure it gets less busy,” Hiat says. “ Old Orchard Beach is beachy, beach culture with a year-round element, but Scarborough is like, people are living and working there.” But if you plan to live there year-round, be sure to pack a winter wardrobe. “The weather on the coast of Maine from Scarborough up through Brunswick is all pretty much the same,” says Hiat. “It’s coastal, but it’s not as frigid as some areas. I wouldn’t categorize Scarborough as having different weather than any other part of Maine ... unless you go up north.”
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Tippett
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tami Goodrich,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Scarborough, ME sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Scarborough, ME over the last 12 months is $710,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Where the River Meets Beach Life. Riverfront tranquility just moments from Higgins Beach. Tucked away on a private road on Harmon's Island, Badger Cottage offers the rare opportunity to enjoy the peaceful side of Higgins while remaining just a walk, paddle, or bike ride from the beach. Cherished by generations, it's now ready for its next chapter. Set on a spacious lot where the Spurwink River
This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home offers a versatile layout with room for everyone. The open-concept main living area creates an inviting space for everyday living and entertaining, while the kitchen features granite countertops and an oversized pantry. Generous room sizes throughout provide flexibility for a variety of needs, and abundant storage can be found throughout the home. The finished bonus
Set back from the main road, this stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath modern farmhouse offers the perfect blend of privacy and convenience. While it feels like a peaceful retreat, it's ideally located in the heart of Scarborough, just minutes from shopping, restaurants, recreation, beautiful beaches, and exciting new amenities coming to the area. The expansive backyard provides exceptional space and
Join Buxton's Up-and-Coming Business Hub! This is a 436'+/- by 182' +/- wide corner lot 1.85 acres good land. Be part of a growing community of driven entrepreneurs in Buxton's new Business Park. Four lots are already sold, and newly approved lots are now available—surveyed, soil tested, and ready for your vision. Zoning allows for large retail, restaurants, bars, recreation facilities,
Join Buxton's Up-and-Coming Business Hub! This lot is 3.28 acres and has 210' of Frontage on Route 202 an excellent place to put a sign! Be part of a growing community of driven entrepreneurs in Buxton's new Business Park. Four lots are already sold, and newly approved lots are now available—surveyed, soil tested, and ready for your vision. Zoning allows for large retail, restaurants, bars,
Located in one of Scarborough's most coveted coastal neighborhoods, 8 Mast Road offers a rare blend of privacy, proximity, and polished living. Set well back from the road down a long private drive and surrounded by mature landscaping, native plantings, and organic gardens, the property feels like a secluded sanctuary while remaining just minutes from beaches, marshes, downtown Scarborough,
Join Buxton's Up-and-Coming Business Hub! This is a 410'+/- by 195' +/- wide corner lot 1.90 acres good land. Be part of a growing community of driven entrepreneurs in Buxton's new Business Park. Four lots are already sold, and newly approved lots are now available—surveyed, soil tested, and ready for your vision. Zoning allows for large retail, restaurants, bars, recreation facilities,
Welcome home to this oversized 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial offering the perfect blend of space, comfort, and convenience. Nestled in a peaceful rural setting with mature landscaping, this well-maintained property provides privacy while remaining close to everything Southern Maine has to offer.Inside, you'll find generous living spaces highlighted by beautiful hardwood flooring throughout the
Rare opportunity to own one of Higgins Beach's most iconic oceanfront residences, offering breathtaking panoramic views stretching from Cape Elizabeth and Richmond Island to Biddeford Pool. Featured in Maine Home + Design, this exceptional coastal retreat was thoughtfully reimagined to blend timeless New England architecture with sophisticated seaside living. Perfectly positioned on a rare double
Anne BosworthLegacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Experience the pinnacle of beachfront living in Maine on 4.3 private acres and 5,705 SF of living square footage with 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths within the Prouts Neck community. This extraordinary property boasts breathtaking ocean views, miles of pristine beach, and a tranquil pond in the backyard, creating a unique coastal sanctuary. The home has been elegantly transformed with a contemporary,
Elise KielyLegacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME. Rarely available and highly sought after, this exceptional lot in Pine Point offers beautiful river and marsh views in one of Southern Maine's most desirable seaside communities. The property features a river with a natural inlet connecting directly to the ocean, creating a classic coastal estuary setting that highlights the area's unique beauty and wildlife. This is a rare
Turnkey cottage at The Cottages at Simplicity Court -- one of just eight, all built in 2023 and tucked right into The Downs in Scarborough. At 520 square feet, this 1-bed, 1-bath lives smart: full-sized kitchen, open living area with a beautiful fireplace and shiplap accents, a bright bedroom, and thoughtful storage throughout. Modern finishes, two assigned parking spaces, and the kind of
Where the River Meets Beach Life. Riverfront tranquility just moments from Higgins Beach. Tucked away on a private road on Harmon's Island, Badger Cottage offers the rare opportunity to enjoy the peaceful side of Higgins while remaining just a walk, paddle, or bike ride from the beach. Cherished by generations, it's now ready for its next chapter. Set on a spacious lot where the Spurwink River
45.45± acre development site with five (5) access points along Payne Road with 200' of frontage on Whipple Lane. 15 ± Acres of uplands. Due Diligence materials available including, wetlands study, vernal pool study, concept plan, and a site survey. Located in the Haigis Parkway and R2 Zones. Municipal water, sewer and natural gas available. Nearby businesses include Costco, Cabela's, IDEXX,
Experience luxury apartment living at Nonesuch River Apartments in the heart of Scarborough. This community boasts unmatched views of gorgeous wooded terrain, Oasis area with pool, amazing clubhouse, controlled access, Amazon Package HUB, common area lounges, fitness room and balconies. In each unit, you will find top of the line finishes such as stainless steel appliances, vinyl plank flooring,
Welcome to North Village – Your Perfect Home in a Prime Location! Nestled in a serene and picturesque location, North Village offers the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and natural beauty. Situated in Eastern Village, a peaceful, welcoming neighborhood, you'll enjoy a quiet and friendly atmosphere, while still being close to everything you need. Landscaped streets, shaded sidewalks, and
Indulge in the ultimate convenience of modern living at The Lofts @ 225, our brand-new units in the heart of The Innovation District at The Downs. These thoughtfully designed studio and one-bedroom units are brought to you with efficiency in mind and the added perk of having all utilities included, including lightning-fast fiber internet. Enjoy the perfect synergy of compact luxury, inclusive
Welcome to Hackamore Place Apartments, a recently built multifamily community offering a range of beautifully designed 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. With 10 distinct floor plans, youll find the perfect space that suits your lifestyle. Nestled in a residential area of a vibrant live, work, play community, Hackamore Place offers the tranquility of suburban living while being just steps away from a
Foxcroft offers tranquil townhome living in the heart of Scarborough, Maine, combining value, comfort, and community in a peaceful wooded setting. With spacious layouts, thoughtful amenities, and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, Foxcroft is designed to meet your everyday needs and exceed expectations. Residents enjoy convenient on-site features including a fitness center, playground, dog run,
A lifestyle that feels easy in Scarborough, Maine. Our homes bringcomfort and convenience together, with quick access to the energy of nearbyPortland whenever you're craving a change of pace. With inviting amenities anda well-connected location, you can enjoy everyday conveniences at these Scarborough,Maine, apartments with a setting that feels calm, relaxed, and truly yours.
Enjoy a fully furnished studio suite in our hotel at an affordable rate with free wi-fi, free utilities and free premium cable. Each studio suite has a full kitchen with full-size refrigerator, stovetop and microwave, and has a flexible workspace and plenty of storage. All our hotels are pet-friendly and have on-site guest laundry available. Plus, there are no long-term commitments and you can
Property Id: 2238625Fully furnished 2 bed / 1.5 bath modern cape in North Scarborough set on private 2 acres. First floor has a kitchen with all electric appliances, peninsula with bar seating for two, a small dining table that can seat up to 6, and a living area with a Roku Smart TV, a queen size sofa bed and two armchairs. Upstairs are two bedrooms with queen beds & one full bath. The
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