How Much House Can You Actually Buy on the South Shore? A Town-by-Town Guide
If you’re thinking about buying a home on the South Shore, one of the first questions is probably: How much house can I actually get for my budget?
The answer can change dramatically by town.
A $700,000 budget might put you right in the middle of the market in one South Shore community, while in another it may mean looking for a smaller home, a condo, a property that needs updating, or waiting for the right opportunity. Move just a few towns over, and your options can look completely different.
Current 2026 sales illustrate the spread. Weymouth’s recent median sale price is roughly $650,000, while Pembroke has been around $635,000 and Plymouth around $725,000. Move toward some of the higher-priced coastal communities, however, and the numbers climb quickly: recent sales data puts Marshfield around $818,000, Norwell around $949,000, Scituate above $1 million and Cohasset around $1.6 million. Redfin
Those are medians—not price tags—and that's an important distinction. There are homes above and below those numbers in every town.
Weymouth: More Options Around the $600K–$700K Range
For buyers who want South Shore access while keeping their budget closer to the $600,000s, Weymouth deserves a serious look.
The median sale price over the three months ending August 2026 was about $650,000. The market remains competitive, with homes selling in roughly 20 days and many properties selling above asking price. Redfin
Depending on neighborhood, condition and property type, buyers in this range may find capes, ranches, colonials and other established homes. Weymouth can also appeal to buyers who value access to Boston and nearby South Shore communities without paying Hingham or Cohasset prices.
Pembroke: Your Budget Can Stretch Further
Pembroke continues to be an interesting option for buyers who prioritize house and property over immediate proximity to Boston.
Recent 2026 data puts the median sale price around $635,000. Looking at three years of single-family sales, the lower portion of Pembroke's market has generally fallen in roughly the $450,000–$540,000 range. Living In The South Shore
That doesn't mean you'll automatically find the perfect house for $500,000, but it demonstrates why buyers with moderate South Shore budgets often include Pembroke in their search.
Plymouth: A Huge Range of Choices
Plymouth is difficult to summarize with one number because it's geographically large and offers a wide variety of housing.
For the June–August 2026 period, the median sale price was approximately $725,000. Redfin
Buyers can encounter everything from older homes and traditional neighborhoods to condos, newer construction, coastal properties and communities such as The Pinehills. Two Plymouth homes carrying similar prices may therefore offer very different lifestyles and amenities.
That's why buyers considering Plymouth should think beyond the town name and decide which part of Plymouth fits what they're looking for.
Marshfield: Coastal Living Without Scituate or Cohasset Pricing
Marshfield is attractive to buyers looking for a coastal South Shore lifestyle while potentially getting more for their money than in some neighboring coastal communities.
The 2026 year-to-date median for single-family homes through early September was approximately $827,500. Over the past three years, the lower quarter of Marshfield single-family sales has generally ranged from roughly $530,000 to $659,000. Living In The South Shore
That creates opportunities at multiple price levels, but buyers should pay close attention to location, condition and potential flood considerations when comparing coastal properties.
Hanover: Expect Strong Competition
Hanover has moved higher in 2026.
The year-to-date single-family median through early September was approximately $926,000, compared with $817,500 for 2025. Homes were also receiving offers quickly, with a median of just six days from listing to offer. Living In The South Shore
There are homes well below that median—the three-year lower-market range begins around the upper $500,000s—but buyers looking for updated, move-in-ready properties should be prepared for competition.
Norwell: Around $1 Million Becomes Important
Norwell generally requires a larger budget.
Depending on the measurement period, recent 2026 median figures have ranged from approximately $949,000 to $1.09 million. That variation itself is a good reminder not to put too much weight on a single month's median, particularly in towns with fewer transactions. Living In The South Shore
Historically, opportunities do occur below that level. The lower quarter of single-family sales over the last three years has been approximately $675,000–$815,000. Living In The South Shore
Scituate: The Coastal Premium Is Real
Scituate combines coastal living, a strong town identity and access to Boston, and prices reflect the demand.
Year-to-date single-family sales through early September had a median of approximately $1.12 million. Living In The South Shore
That doesn't mean you can't buy in Scituate for $700,000 or $800,000. In fact, the lower portion of three-year sales has fallen around $650,000–$785,000. But inventory at those prices may involve compromises in size, condition, location or property characteristics. Living In The South Shore
Hingham: Seven Figures Is Increasingly Common
Hingham is one of the South Shore's premium markets.
Through early September 2026, the median single-family sale price was approximately $1.51 million, up from a 2025 median of about $1.37 million. Living In The South Shore
Buyers around $800,000–$1 million shouldn't automatically rule Hingham out, but they should expect fewer choices and potentially significant competition when attractive properties hit the market.
Cohasset: One of the South Shore's Highest-Priced Markets
Cohasset sits at the upper end of the South Shore market.
The 2026 year-to-date median single-family sale price was approximately $1.6 million, while the lower portion of sales over the last three years began around $750,000. Living In The South Shore
Location within town matters enormously. Proximity to the water, lot, views, renovations and the individual property can create huge differences in value.
Don't Pick the Town Before Understanding Your Budget
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is deciding, “I want to live in Town X,” before seeing what their money actually buys across the South Shore.
Instead, start with your priorities.
Do you want more square footage? A shorter commute? A larger yard? Coastal living? A turnkey home? A particular neighborhood? Are you willing to renovate?
A buyer with $700,000 may discover that the house they really want isn't in the town they initially expected.
At Depend on Dakota, we can help you compare actual homes—not just town averages—and understand where your budget gives you the best combination of home, location and lifestyle.
