1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Scarborough, ME
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Scarborough, Maine as of October 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $2,714 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
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Maine
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yarmouth | $1,800 |
| 2 | Scarborough (this page) | $1,800 |
| 3 | South Portland | $1,760 |
| 4 | Freeport | $1,690 |
| 5 | Kittery | $1,600 |
| 6 | Portland | $1,597 |
| 7 | Saco | $1,510 |
| 8 | Gorham | $1,450 |
| 9 | Brunswick | $1,400 |
| 10 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,370 |
| 11 | Biddeford | $1,370 |
| 12 | Sanford | $1,210 |
| 13 | Orono | $1,210 |
| 14 | Bath | $1,110 |
| 15 | Bangor | $1,090 |
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%) |
| Gorham, ME | 10.4 mi | $1,450 | $-350 (-19%) |
| Biddeford, ME | 10.7 mi | $1,370 | $-430 (-24%) |
| 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%) |
| Auburn, ME | 35.1 mi | $980 | $-820 (-46%) |
| Lewiston, ME | 37 mi | $980 | $-820 (-46%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Scarborough — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Scarborough?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Scarborough, Maine is $1,800 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $2,714.
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 20 cities in Maine with 1-bedroom data, Scarborough ranks #19 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).