South Shore Real Estate Market Report — May 2026 | Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate & More

Published: May 5, 2026 | Data source: MLSPIN, single family home sales, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026 | By the Charles King Group

South Shore Single Family Market Report: What the Numbers Tell Us Right Now

The South Shore single family market is running tight. Across Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover, and more than a dozen additional towns, 1,381 homes sold between November 4, 2025 and May 4, 2026 — and the data shows a market where serious buyers are moving fast and sellers in the right towns are holding real pricing power. From Hingham's $1,562,500 median to Abington's $600,000 entry point, this report covers the full picture: what sold, what it cost, and what it means if you're thinking about your next move.

The Headline Numbers

The six-month period from November 2025 through early May 2026 produced some clear signals:

• Hingham: Median sale price $1,562,500 | $567.29/sq ft | 27.5 days on market | 76 units sold
• Cohasset: Median sale price $1,537,875 | $577.62/sq ft | 46.5 days on market | 38 units sold
• Plymouth: Highest transaction volume in the region — 258 units sold | Median $725,000
• Duxbury: Among the fastest markets — just 20 days on market | Median $1,245,000
• Hanover: Median $805,000 | 22 days on market — strong absorption for an inland town at this price point
• Scituate: Median $937,500 | 22.5 days on market | 70 units sold

What Stands Out — and What It Means

Hingham and Cohasset are trading at a different level. With medians of $1,562,500 and $1,537,875 respectively, these two towns sit in their own tier on the South Shore — and price per square foot tells the same story. Cohasset's $577.62/sq ft is the highest in the report; Hingham's $567.29 runs a close second. What it means: sellers in these towns who price correctly are capturing real value. Buyers competing here should expect to move decisively, with financing fully in order before they step foot in an open house.

Duxbury, Pembroke, and Milton are among the fastest-moving markets in the region. All three posted median days on market of just 20 — the lowest in the report. At $1,245,000, Duxbury is fast and expensive. At $675,000 and $1,086,750 respectively, Pembroke and Milton represent very different price points moving at exactly the same speed. What it means: in any of these towns, a competitive offer needs to be ready before the property hits the weekend open house circuit.

Cohasset is taking longer — and that's context, not concern. At 46.5 days on market, Cohasset is the slowest of the anchor towns. With a $1.5M+ median, that absorption pace is consistent with a high-value, lower-inventory market where buyers take time to evaluate larger financial commitments. It's not a sign of softness — it's a reflection of the profile of the homes trading there. What it means: sellers in Cohasset should expect a longer process and price accordingly; buyers have slightly more time to evaluate, but shouldn't interpret that as room to lowball.

Scituate, Marshfield, and Norwell offer the South Shore's best combination of value and livability. Scituate's $937,500 median with 22.5 days on market shows a market absorbing demand efficiently at an aspirational but accessible price point. Marshfield at $850,000 and Norwell at $975,000 follow the same pattern. What it means: these towns are drawing buyers who want South Shore character without the Hingham/Cohasset premium — and the competition reflects that demand.

Plymouth is doing the most volume but at a measured pace. 258 single family sales over six months is a significant engine — nearly double the next highest town (Weymouth at 146). The $725,000 median and 34.5 days on market suggest a market that's active but not frenzied at this price tier. What it means: Plymouth offers relative depth of inventory compared to most South Shore towns, giving buyers options without the same urgency dynamic that defines the closer-in markets.

The affordability tier is moving. Abington ($600,000), Pembroke ($675,000), Weymouth ($656,000), and Kingston ($715,000) are all clearing in 20–26 days. These aren't slow markets — they're efficient ones. What it means: the $600K–$725K range on the South Shore is actively competitive, and buyers at this price point are not shopping a patient, flexible market.

What This Means for Sellers in Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell & Hanover

Hingham and Cohasset sellers are operating from a position of strength. Medians above $1.5 million with healthy price-per-square-foot figures mean that well-prepared, accurately priced homes are achieving strong outcomes. The key word is "accurately" — these markets reward precision pricing, not wishful thinking. Sellers who invest in presentation and enter the market with a clear-eyed view of comparable sales will capture the most from current conditions.

Scituate and Norwell sellers have real pricing power with a tighter window. Days on market in the low-to-mid 20s means the market is rendering judgment quickly. Homes that show well and price correctly are getting absorbed fast. Those that don't are sitting — and in a six-month data window, sitting is visible. Prepare before you list.

Hanover sellers are benefiting from consistent demand at a compelling price point. At $805,000 with just 22 days on market, Hanover is one of the tighter markets in this report relative to its price tier. Sellers here have leverage, but should still prioritize condition and presentation to maximize their result.

What This Means for Buyers

Speed is the defining characteristic of the South Shore's best markets right now. Duxbury, Milton, Pembroke, Marshfield, and Quincy are all clearing in 20–22 days — that's not a market where deliberation is rewarded.

Buyers should enter this spring with mortgage pre-approval fully in hand, a clear sense of their non-negotiables, and a willingness to act on a property they've toured once. Waiting for a second look is often waiting too long in this environment.

For buyers with flexibility on town, the $700K–$850K range offers the best combination of options and value — Braintree, Marshfield, Kingston, and Hanover are all active markets at price points where you're not automatically competing against all-cash buyers.

If your target is Hingham, Cohasset, or Duxbury, come prepared for the possibility of multiple-offer situations even at the top of the price range. These markets have proven they're not seasonal — they're structural.

May 2026 Outlook

The South Shore single family market enters May 2026 with inventory still constrained and buyer demand holding firm across most price tiers. Spring typically brings more listings to the market — and with it, some moderation in the frenzy at the lower end — but the anchor towns haven't shown signs of meaningful softening. Sellers who have been waiting for the "right moment" are entering a window where conditions remain favorable, particularly in Hingham, Scituate, and Hanover. If you're trying to make sense of what the data means for your specific situation — whether you're thinking about selling, buying, or both — we'd welcome the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home price in Hingham right now?

The median single family sale price in Hingham was $1,562,500 over the six-month period from November 4, 2025 through May 4, 2026. Hingham also posted a median price per square foot of $567.29, the second highest in the region. Source: MLSPIN, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026.

How fast are homes selling in Scituate, MA?

Single family homes in Scituate had a median of 22.5 days on market between November 2025 and May 2026, with 70 units sold and a median sale price of $937,500. That pace puts Scituate among the more efficient markets on the South Shore for its price tier. Source: MLSPIN, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026.

What is Cohasset's median home sale price?

Cohasset posted a median single family sale price of $1,537,875 over the six months ending May 4, 2026, with a median price per square foot of $577.62 — the highest in this report. 38 homes sold during that period, with a median of 46.5 days on market. Source: MLSPIN, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026.

How competitive is the Hanover, MA real estate market?

Hanover had 45 single family homes sell between November 2025 and May 2026, with a median sale price of $805,000 and a median of just 22 days on market. That absorption pace reflects consistent demand and limited inventory at this price point. Source: MLSPIN, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026.

What are homes selling for in Norwell, MA?

The median single family sale price in Norwell was $975,000 over the six-month period ending May 4, 2026. 28 homes sold during that period, with a median of 27 days on market and a price per square foot of $394.88. Source: MLSPIN, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026.

Is it a good time to sell a home on the South Shore?

For most South Shore towns, current conditions favor sellers. Days on market remain short in towns like Duxbury (20), Pembroke (20), Marshfield (21), and Quincy (21), and median prices in anchor markets like Hingham and Cohasset remain above $1.5 million. Sellers who are well-prepared and priced accurately are finding receptive demand. Source: MLSPIN, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026.

How does Hanover compare to other South Shore towns for home prices?

Hanover's $805,000 median sale price sits in the middle tier of South Shore anchor towns — above the more affordable markets like Abington ($600,000) and Weymouth ($656,000), but below the premium addresses of Hingham ($1,562,500) and Cohasset ($1,537,875). At 22 days on market, Hanover is absorbing inventory as quickly as several higher-priced towns. Source: MLSPIN, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026.

All data sourced from MLSPIN. Single family home sales, November 4, 2025 – May 4, 2026. Published by the Charles King Group, Hingham, MA.

Charles King Group is a top-producing real estate team serving the South Shore (Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover, and surrounding towns), Boston, Cape Cod, Metro West, Northern Middlesex & the Merrimack Valley, and Bristol County. Brokered by Real Broker MA, LLC. Ranked in the top 1.5% of agents nationwide by Real Trends.