At $2,714/mo, rent takes about 45% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,714 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Scarborough changed +8.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 14 Maine cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.0%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
Old Orchard Beach, 5 miles away, rents for 27% less ($1,985/mo), about $8,700 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Scarborough.
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At $2,714/mo, how Scarborough rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Scarborough rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Scarborough. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Scarborough
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Scarborough is $2,714/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,580/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,830/mo.
At 45% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Scarborough ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Scarborough?
At $2,714/mo, rent takes ~45% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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