1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Scarborough, ME
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Scarborough, Maine as of July 2026. That's +33% lower than the citywide median of $2,694 and +29% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Scarborough
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Scarborough
Compare Scarborough's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Maine
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterville | $832 |
| 2 | Presque Isle | $850 |
| 3 | Augusta | $890 |
| 4 | Rockland | $910 |
| 5 | Auburn | $980 |
| 6 | Lewiston | $980 |
| 7 | Bangor | $1,090 |
| 8 | Old Town | $1,100 |
| 9 | Bath | $1,110 |
| 10 | Orono | $1,210 |
| 11 | Sanford | $1,210 |
| 12 | Biddeford | $1,370 |
| 13 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,370 |
| 14 | Brunswick | $1,400 |
| 15 | Gorham | $1,450 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Maine
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Elizabeth | $2,150 |
| 2 | Falmouth | $2,140 |
| 3 | Yarmouth | $1,800 |
| 4 | Scarborough (this page) | $1,800 |
| 5 | South Portland | $1,760 |
| 6 | Freeport | $1,690 |
| 7 | Kittery | $1,600 |
| 8 | Portland | $1,597 |
| 9 | Saco | $1,510 |
| 10 | Gorham | $1,450 |
| 11 | Brunswick | $1,400 |
| 12 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,370 |
| 13 | Biddeford | $1,370 |
| 14 | Sanford | $1,210 |
| 15 | Orono | $1,210 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Scarborough.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Scarborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 4.7 mi | $1,370 | $-430 (-24%) |
| South Portland, ME | 6.2 mi | $1,760 | $-40 (-2%) |
| Saco, ME | 7.4 mi | $1,510 | $-290 (-16%) |
| Portland, ME | 8.1 mi | $1,597 | $-203 (-11%) |
| Cape Elizabeth, ME | 9 mi | $2,150 | +$350 (+19%) |
| Gorham, ME | 10.4 mi | $1,450 | $-350 (-19%) |
| Biddeford, ME | 10.7 mi | $1,370 | $-430 (-24%) |
| Falmouth, ME | 12.1 mi | $2,140 | +$340 (+19%) |
| Yarmouth, ME | 19.9 mi | $1,800 | — |
| Freeport, ME | 25.9 mi | $1,690 | $-110 (-6%) |
| Sanford, ME | 28.9 mi | $1,210 | $-590 (-33%) |
| Brunswick, ME | 34.4 mi | $1,400 | $-400 (-22%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Scarborough — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Scarborough?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Scarborough, Maine is $1,800 per month. This is +33% below the citywide median of $2,694.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Scarborough?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,000 ($6,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.62/hour at a full-time job.
Is Scarborough expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Scarborough's 1-bedroom median of $1,800 is +29% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 74th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Scarborough rank for 1-bedroom rent in Maine?
Among the 24 cities in Maine with 1-bedroom data, Scarborough ranks #21 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Scarborough?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Old Orchard Beach ($1,370), South Portland ($1,760), Saco ($1,510).