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

Published: November 4, 2026
Data Source: MLSPIN | Single-family home sales, May 4–November 4, 2026

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

The South Shore single-family market is moving steadily in late fall. Over the past six months, 2,162 homes have sold across the region — a solid pace that reflects ongoing buyer interest despite seasonal headwinds. Prices remain strong in our anchor markets, with Hingham and Cohasset leading by median, while Hanover continues to attract buyers seeking value without sacrificing quality or community character.

The Headline Numbers

• Highest Median Price: Cohasset, $1,600,000 | 53 sales
• Most Units Sold: Plymouth, 452 sales | $720,000 median
• Fastest Market: Scituate, 19 days on market | 113 sales
• Hingham (Our Flagship): 139 sales | $1,495,000 median | $576.27/sq ft | 20 days on market
• Regional Volume: 2,162 single-family homes sold (May–November 2026)

What Stands Out — and What It Means

Hingham remains the region’s anchor — November’s featured market

With 139 sales and a median price of $1,495,000, our flagship market continues to drive volume and pricing authority. The $576.27 price-per-square-foot metric places Hingham at the top of our anchor towns — the highest per-square-foot value among the prestige markets. This is a signal that buyers are willing to pay for the Hingham brand, schools, harbor character, walkable town center, and proximity to Boston.

Over the past six months, Hingham has maintained consistent 20-day sell times and strong inventory flow — 139 homes represents steady, confident demand. What’s particularly notable is that Hingham is not a market that swings wildly. Whether it’s May or November, buyers are shopping here. The price-per-square-foot premium tells us buyers are making a clear choice: Hingham commands the highest valuation on the South Shore because Hingham delivers something the other towns don’t. The combination of harbor lifestyle, top-tier schools, a thriving center with restaurants and retail, and the cultural cache of living in Hingham — these are not replicable.

What it means: If you own in Hingham, your market is competitive and your home’s value is supported by consistent, educated buyer demand. If you’re a buyer here, expect to move fast and come prepared. The homes selling in 20 days are the ones priced right, shown professionally, and listed by agents who understand the Hingham buyer. Homes with deferred maintenance or dated interiors will sit, regardless of location. Preparation and readiness matter.

Cohasset commands the highest median price, but volume tells a different story. At $1,600,000, Cohasset pulls the regional median upward. Yet only 53 homes sold — the lowest volume among anchor towns. This is a small, exclusive market: fewer inventory misses mean fewer sales, but when a home does sell in Cohasset, it tends to be at the top of the range. The price-per-square-foot of $546.94 is strong, but marginally below Hingham — suggesting that while Cohasset homes are pricey, you’re paying more for rarity than for size or condition. What it means: Cohasset is a lifestyle and wealth play, not a volume market. Sellers here should expect a smaller buyer pool but stronger price support. Buyers need to be patient and selective. If you find the right Cohasset home, expect to compete — even with a small number of annual sales, great homes attract multiple offers.

Scituate is the fast-moving outlier. At 19 days on market — the fastest in our anchor group — Scituate is seeing strong velocity. With 113 homes sold and a $1,210,000 median, Scituate is offering the “just right” balance: high enough in price to attract serious buyers, fast enough to keep sellers confident. The price-per-square-foot of $542.11 is competitive with Cohasset yet more achievable. What it means: If timing is your priority, Scituate’s market is tight and efficient. Homes priced right sell quickly; overpriced homes sit. List smart, or don’t list at all. For buyers, Scituate moves fast — have your financing and inspection plan in place before you make an offer.

Norwell continues to offer value within premium South Shore positioning. At $1,100,000 median and $428.71 per square foot, Norwell is consistently below our top-tier towns while maintaining the quality and school reputation those towns enjoy. Eighty-two sales and 20.5 days on market suggest steady, confident demand. Norwell attracts buyers who have done their homework — they know the schools are excellent, they know the town center is charming, and they know they’re getting more land and house per dollar than Hingham or Scituate. What it means: Norwell is the smart alternative for buyers who want South Shore credibility without Hingham or Cohasset pricing. Sellers benefit from comparison-conscious buyers; list with data that shows Norwell’s value proposition.

Hanover delivers South Shore affordability without compromise. Hanover’s 78 sales and $918,500 median represent a market in the sweet spot for value and accessibility. The $386.50 price-per-square-foot is the lowest among our anchor towns — a real differentiator for buyers trading up from more affordable South Shore suburbs or relocating from areas without Hanover’s schools and character. Twenty days on market is solid. Hanover attracts families who prioritize school quality and community feel over prestige branding. That’s not a weakness; it’s a different buyer with different priorities. What it means: Hanover is where South Shore affordability lives, without sacrifice. For sellers, the message is competitive but steady — you’ll attract serious, educated buyers who understand Hanover’s value. For buyers, Hanover delivers the most house and the most outdoor space per dollar in our premium anchor group.

Hull’s slower pace reflects its unique market — and its strength. At 34 days on market, Hull is moving more slowly than anchor towns. But the $820,000 median and strong price-per-square-foot ($475.22) show that buyers are still willing to pay for waterfront proximity and harbor lifestyle. Seventy-one sales indicate a smaller but consistent demand pool. Hull buyers are not shopping for a generic suburban home — they’re shopping for a lifestyle. Every marketing conversation in Hull should begin with water. What it means: Hull requires patient, waterfront-focused marketing. Generic “Hull home” listings may sit. Waterfront views, harbor access, coastal character, and proximity to bay recreation must be the lead in every listing. Hull buyers want to know if they can see water, if they can launch a boat, if they can walk to the harbor. Sell that.

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

The past six months show a market that favors prepared sellers. In Hingham and Scituate, velocity is high — your home will show regularly if it’s priced right. In Cohasset, expect a longer marketing window but stronger price outcomes; position for quality over speed. In Norwell and Hanover, the balance is ideal: steady demand, fair pricing, and realistic timelines.

Pricing is not negotiable. Price-per-square-foot data is now in every buyer’s pocket. Hingham homes should reflect $576 per square foot; Norwell homes around $428; Hanover homes around $386–$400. Off-market offers, value-add positioning, and pre-sale inspections are no longer negotiation tactics — they’re market expectations.

Preparation trumps patience. The homes selling fastest are the ones where owners fixed the small things first: HVAC maintenance, kitchen and bath updates, landscaping, and exterior refresh. In a competitive market like Scituate or Hingham, a home that shows like a model home will outsell a better-located home that hasn’t been touched. Budget for staging and photography — it’s worth every dollar.

Timing matters less than readiness. November is historically softer than spring, but these numbers show that buyers are shopping year-round. If your home is ready, list now. Waiting for spring to fix things often costs more than selling in a slower season.

What This Means for Buyers

The South Shore market is competitive but fair. With 2,162 homes selling over six months, supply is real — you have options. But so do other buyers.

Financing readiness is your competitive advantage. In Hingham, Scituate, and Cohasset, homes are selling in 19–21 days. You cannot shop for a loan after you make an offer. Pre-approval from a real lender, not a bot, is the price of entry.

Price-per-square-foot is your baseline. Do your research. A home listed at $1.5M in Hingham should justify $576 per square foot — or explain why it’s priced above or below that range. This metric cuts through emotion and market noise.

Inventory varies by town. Plymouth has moved 452 homes — lots of choice, longer marketing windows for sellers (25.5 days), which gives you negotiating room. Cohasset has moved 53 homes — every listing gets attention, and seller expectations are higher. Know which market you’re buying into.

North Shore and South Shore are different markets. If you’re comparing Hingham ($1,495K median) to Milton ($1,150K median), you’re not comparing apples to apples. Milton is a fine town with excellent schools. Hingham is a different brand. Price reflects that difference — accept it or adjust your search area.

November 2026 Outlook

We’re entering the quietest season for real estate, but the South Shore market is not sleeping. Serious buyers and sellers don’t take November off — they’re shopping without crowds and seasonal pressure. Inventory will thin, but so will competition. Expect pricing to hold steady; expect homes that are well-presented to move. December may slow further, but historically, holiday season buyers are often the most committed: they’re relocating for a job that starts in January, or they’re closing out a chapter in their old city before the new year.

Our message to sellers: if you’re thinking spring, think again. The market is here. Get your home ready and let’s talk.

To buyers: this is the ideal time to tour homes without lines. Make your move now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the median home price in Hingham right now?

As of November 2026, the median sale price for single-family homes in Hingham is $1,495,000, based on 139 sales from May 4–November 4, 2026. Price-per-square-foot averages $576.27. Source: MLSPIN.

How long are homes sitting on the market in Scituate?

Scituate is the fastest-moving of our anchor towns at 19 days on market, based on 113 sales over the past six months. Homes priced at or near the $1,210,000 median move quickly; overpriced homes experience longer hold times. Source: MLSPIN, May 4–November 4, 2026.

Is Hanover more affordable than Hingham?

Yes. Hanover’s median sale price is $918,500 compared to Hingham’s $1,495,000 — a difference of $576,500. Both towns offer excellent schools and strong communities, but Hanover delivers more house and land per dollar. Source: MLSPIN, May 4–November 4, 2026.

What’s the best time to sell on the South Shore — spring or now?

The data suggests the best time to sell is when your home is ready, not when the calendar says to list. Over the past six months, 2,162 homes have sold across the South Shore, with consistent 19–21 day sell times in competitive towns like Hingham and Scituate. November is quieter than spring, which means less competition but also fewer buyers. If your home is prepared, list now. If it needs work, do the work regardless of season. Source: MLSPIN, May 4–November 4, 2026.

How much does waterfront location impact price in Hull?

Hull homes average $820,000 (median) with a price-per-square-foot of $475.22 — considerably higher than inland South Shore towns at the same price point. Waterfront and harbor-proximity homes command premiums. Without direct waterfront access, you’re essentially buying a suburban home that happens to be in Hull. Waterfront or near-water listings should emphasize views, access, and boating. Source: MLSPIN, May 4–November 4, 2026.

What neighborhoods within Hingham are the strongest?

Hingham data is aggregated at the town level in MLSPIN. Within Hingham, neighborhoods like Harbor View, Crow Point, and the center all perform well, but the strongest are those with harbor views, walkable center access, or top-rated schools. Talk to a Charles King Group agent for micro-neighborhood data and specific street-level insights.

All data sourced from MLSPIN. Single-family home sales, May 4–November 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.