Studio Apartment Rent in Scarborough, ME
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Scarborough, Maine as of October 2026. That's +42% lower than the citywide median of $2,714 and +22% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Scarborough
Compare Scarborough's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Maine
Most expensive cities for a studio in Maine
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yarmouth | $1,590 |
| 2 | Scarborough (this page) | $1,580 |
| 3 | South Portland | $1,550 |
| 4 | Freeport | $1,490 |
| 5 | Kittery | $1,410 |
| 6 | Portland | $1,407 |
| 7 | Saco | $1,340 |
| 8 | Gorham | $1,280 |
| 9 | Brunswick | $1,260 |
| 10 | Old Orchard Beach | $1,190 |
| 11 | Biddeford | $1,190 |
| 12 | Orono | $1,120 |
| 13 | Sanford | $1,070 |
| 14 | Waterville | $1,063 |
| 15 | Bangor | $1,010 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Scarborough.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Scarborough |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 4.7 mi | $1,190 | $-390 (-25%) |
| South Portland, ME | 6.2 mi | $1,550 | $-30 (-2%) |
| Saco, ME | 7.4 mi | $1,340 | $-240 (-15%) |
| Portland, ME | 8.1 mi | $1,407 | $-173 (-11%) |
| Gorham, ME | 10.4 mi | $1,280 | $-300 (-19%) |
| Biddeford, ME | 10.7 mi | $1,190 | $-390 (-25%) |
| Yarmouth, ME | 19.9 mi | $1,590 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Freeport, ME | 25.9 mi | $1,490 | $-90 (-6%) |
| Sanford, ME | 28.9 mi | $1,070 | $-510 (-32%) |
| Brunswick, ME | 34.4 mi | $1,260 | $-320 (-20%) |
| Auburn, ME | 35.1 mi | $890 | $-690 (-44%) |
| Lewiston, ME | 37 mi | $890 | $-690 (-44%) |
Studio rent in Scarborough — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Scarborough?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Scarborough, Maine is $1,580 per month. This is +42% below the citywide median of $2,714.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Scarborough?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $63,200 ($5,267/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.38/hour at a full-time job.
Is Scarborough expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Scarborough's studio median of $1,580 is +22% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 69th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Scarborough rank for studio rent in Maine?
Among the 20 cities in Maine with studio data, Scarborough ranks #19 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Scarborough?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Old Orchard Beach ($1,190), South Portland ($1,550), Saco ($1,340).