Scarborough 83 Exceptional
Scarborough Livability #9 ranked city in Maine#890 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Scarborough

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

What's it like Living in Scarborough?

Located in the state of Maine, Scarborough is a small city with a population of 5,384 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (85% White). Given that fact, Scarborough could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Scarborough is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Scarborough, Maine could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Scarborough and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Maine and national averages.

With a livability score of 80 out of 100, Scarborough is ranked #1,415 in the United States and #11 in Maine. This is a terrific score, as Scarborough ranks well in multiple categories! Scarborough also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we know that Scarborough ranks very well for crime (A+), education (B+), employment (A) and housing (B+). The bad news for Scarborough, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Scarborough, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 62 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

The unemployment rate in Scarborough has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 0.5%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Scarborough has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Scarborough. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Scarborough are affordable. Median real estate prices in Scarborough come in at $518,616, which is 66.6% higher than the Maine average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Scarborough, the home price to income ratio is 5.2, which is 26.8% higher than the Maine average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Scarborough

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Compare Scarborough, ME Livability

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      Scarborough transportation information

      Statistic Scarborough Maine National
      Average one way commute20min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.8%78.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.6%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.7%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%4.0%2.8%
      Working from home5.6%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Scarborough, ME data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.