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

Published: September 8, 2026
Data Source: MLSPIN
Author: Charles King

South Shore Real Estate Market Report: What the Numbers Tell Us Right Now

The South Shore single-family market over the past six months reveals a region firing on all cylinders. Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover, and 11 additional South Shore towns saw 2,122 homes sell from March through early September—a pace that reflects consistent buyer demand and sellers willing to act on value. Median prices range from $680,000 in more affordable Abington to $1.625 million in premium Cohasset. Days on market cluster tightly around 19–21 days for most anchor towns, signaling a market that rewards preparation and realistic pricing while punishing listings that miss the mark.

The Headline Numbers

• Highest Median Price: Cohasset, $1,625,000 — a $122,500 premium over Hingham, reflecting the town's waterfront character and ultra-tight inventory
• Fastest-Moving Market: Scituate, 18 days on market — the lowest days in the region and a testament to strong buyer intent at $1,125,000 median
• Most Units Sold: Plymouth leads with 393 homes, followed by Weymouth (209) and Braintree (128), accounting for 730 of the region's 2,122 sales
• Median Price Leadership (Anchor Towns): Hingham ($1,502,500) and Cohasset ($1,625,000) dominate; Scituate ($1,125,000) and Norwell ($1,075,000) capture the next tier
• Price Per Square Foot: Hingham ($584.52) and Cohasset ($558.75) command the highest per-sq-ft pricing, reflecting location premium and lot size
• Regional Median Days on Market: 20 days — indicating a seller's market with margin for error shrinking

What Stands Out — and What It Means

Hingham and Cohasset Set the Premium Anchor

Hingham's $1.5 million median and Cohasset's $1.625 million median anchor the high end of the South Shore market. Hingham moved 126 units at that price point in six months—a robust number for a $1.5M+ market—while Cohasset, with only 52 sales, shows how supply-constrained premium waterfront really is. Hingham's $584.52 per square foot and Cohasset's $558.75 tell the story: both command location premiums that reflect school quality, harbor access, and generational demand.

What it means: If you're selling a home in Hingham or Cohasset at or above $1.2 million, you're in a market where qualified buyers are actively searching and pricing discipline matters intensely. Buyers in this bracket are making calculated decisions, and homes that are move-in ready or offer distinct character (waterfront, newer construction, major renovation) close fastest.

Scituate: The Featured Town — Speed Meets Value

Scituate's 18-day median is the fastest in the entire region, despite a $1.125 million price point that sits comfortably between Hingham and Norwell. One hundred one homes sold in six months. That combination—premium price, rapid absorption, strong volume—indicates that Scituate buyers are confident and motivated. The town's coastal character, strong schools, and balanced inventory are moving the needle.

What it means: Scituate is a seller's market right now. If your home is in good condition, competitively priced, and marketed to buyers seeking New England coastal living without Cohasset's ultra-premium stretch, you have an advantage. Scituate buyers are less price-sensitive than Plymouth or Weymouth buyers and more speed-focused than Cohasset buyers—a sweet spot for prepared sellers.

Hull: The Outlier Requiring Strategy

Hull's 39.5-day median stands out sharply against the regional 20-day average. Its $800,000 median price and $475.71 per square foot suggest reasonable pricing, but something about the market dynamics is slower. The answer likely lies in buyer perception: Hull's geography (peninsular, seasonal rental pressure, smaller lot sizes on average) attracts a narrower buyer set than nearby Cohasset or Scituate.

What it means: If you're selling in Hull, inventory strategy and buyer targeting matter more than in other anchor towns. Expect a longer marketing period, price your home competitively from day one, and prepare for multiple showings before offer. Buyers in Hull are choosing it deliberately—usually for proximity to water, affordability relative to Cohasset, or specific neighborhood character. Match your marketing to that intent.

Plymouth and Weymouth: Volume Engines

Plymouth (393 sales) and Weymouth (209 sales) account for 28% of all South Shore activity. Both maintain 20–22 day medians despite high volume, and both anchor the affordability end ($710,000 and $692,500 respectively). These towns are entry points for first-time buyers and move-up purchasers from Boston.

What it means: In Plymouth and Weymouth, speed and inventory turnover are the norm. Sellers here should expect active competition and should price within market comps from day one. Buyers will come if the price is right and the condition is honest. Marketing to first-time buyer intent (financing flexibility, HOA clarity, school district data) pays off in these high-volume markets.

The Middle Tier Holds Steady

Duxbury, Milton, Norwell, and Marshfield represent the $830,000–$1.25 million range with consistent 20–21 day medians. These towns attract move-up buyers from Plymouth/Weymouth and buyers from Boston seeking suburban space. Pricing is transparent here; the market rewards accuracy and punishes optimism.

What it means: These mid-tier towns are the heart of the South Shore market. If you're buying or selling in this bracket, you're in a data-driven market where condition, school district, and lot size are the primary value drivers. Expect multiple offers on well-priced inventory and expect sellers to stand firm if comparable homes are priced higher.

What This Means for Sellers

If you're selling on the South Shore right now, you have a brief window of strength. Buyer interest is real, inventory is not overflowing, and days-on-market data shows homes are moving. But timing matters.

Price with precision. The data shows no room for guesswork. Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, and Hanover buyers are sophisticated—they know what homes sold for last month. Overpricing by even 3–5% relative to recent comps will cost you weeks on market and ultimately dollars on sale price.

Act before late fall. September and October represent the tail end of the traditional selling season. If you're considering listing, sooner is better than later. Buyer traffic historically slows from November through February, and homes listed then often sit into spring.

Invest in curb appeal and showing readiness. With a regional median of 20 days, homes that show well move fast. Fresh landscaping, clean exterior, and an interior that photographs well aren't luxuries—they're table stakes. The first 10 days on market capture the most qualified buyer interest.

Scituate sellers have an edge right now. If you're in Scituate and you've been considering selling, the 18-day market is signaling buyer confidence. Combined with your town's reputation and location, now is the time to capitalize.

What This Means for Buyers

The South Shore remains a buyer's market if you're disciplined, but the margin for error is shrinking.

Speed and financing readiness are non-negotiable. At 19–20 days median, homes are moving. Pre-approval letters, clean inspection contingencies, and a clear understanding of your budget are baseline expectations. In towns like Scituate and Hingham, homes listed at the right price get multiple offers within a week.

Expect competition in the $1–1.5 million range. Hingham, Scituate, and Cohasset are not buyer's markets. You will see other offers. Your best leverage is financing certainty and minimal contingencies—not price negotiation.

Plymouth and Weymouth offer more options and negotiation room. If you're price-sensitive or are a first-time buyer, these high-volume towns have more inventory, longer time on market, and more room to negotiate. Good condition, good schools, reasonable price: you'll find it here.

Check the days-on-market signal for each town. Towns moving at 18–19 days (Scituate, Hingham, Quincy, Kingston, Braintree) signal active buyer interest and less motivation for sellers to negotiate. Towns at 22+ days (Plymouth, Cohasset, Hull) suggest either pricing challenges or buyer preference issues—ask good questions and don't assume the price is firm.

September 2026 Outlook

Late summer into fall is historically when South Shore inventory tightens and buyer traffic begins to shift. This September shows a market still firing—2,122 sales over six months translates to roughly 354 sales per month, suggesting continued activity through October.

What to watch: Mortgage rates, which typically soften demand in Q4, and seasonal rhythm. Fall usually brings a secondary wave of relocating families (school-year moves, job changes), but that window closes fast. Both buyers and sellers should recognize that the next 60 days represent the market's strongest window before entering the slower winter season.

If you're on either side of a transaction on the South Shore, let's talk about your specific situation and timing. The data is clear about what's moving and what's not.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median sale price in Hingham for the March through September 2026 period is $1,502,500, based on 126 homes sold. That's the second-highest in the South Shore region after Cohasset ($1,625,000), reflecting Hingham's location advantage, school reputation, and proximity to downtown Boston. Source: MLSPIN, March 8, 2026 – September 8, 2026.

How fast are homes selling in Scituate?

Scituate is the fastest-moving market in the South Shore, with a median of 18 days on market. One hundred one homes sold in the six-month period at a median price of $1,125,000. That combination of speed and volume reflects strong buyer interest and balanced inventory. Source: MLSPIN, March 8, 2026 – September 8, 2026.

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

Yes, if you're in Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, or Hanover. Days-on-market data (18–23 days for anchor towns) and consistent unit sales (101–126 homes per town in six months) indicate buyer demand remains strong. However, late September signals the end of peak selling season—homes listed in November and later often sit into spring. If you're considering selling, the next 60 days represent your best window. Source: MLSPIN, March 8, 2026 – September 8, 2026.

Why are homes taking longer to sell in Hull than other South Shore towns?

Hull's 39.5-day median is nearly double the regional average, despite reasonable pricing ($800,000 median). The difference likely reflects buyer perception—Hull's peninsular geography, rental market presence, and smaller average lot sizes attract a narrower buyer segment than waterfront-adjacent towns like Cohasset or Scituate. Homes in Hull sell to buyers deliberately choosing that town, not to buyers comparing it against alternatives. Source: MLSPIN, March 8, 2026 – September 8, 2026.

What's the price difference between Cohasset and Scituate?

Cohasset's median sale price is $1,625,000 versus Scituate's $1,125,000—a $500,000 gap. Both are premium South Shore markets with waterfront or waterfront-adjacent character. Cohasset's premium reflects scarcity (only 52 sales in six months, highest inventory constraints), generational buyer base, and ultra-premium school district reputation. Scituate offers similar appeal at lower price point with more available inventory. Source: MLSPIN, March 8, 2026 – September 8, 2026.

Which South Shore town has the best value right now?

Scituate combines strong price ($1.125M median), fastest market speed (18 days), and healthy inventory (101 sales in six months). For buyers seeking South Shore character at a price point below Hingham or Cohasset, Scituate offers the best value signal. For sellers, Scituate's rapid absorption and buyer confidence make it an ideal listing market. Source: MLSPIN, March 8, 2026 – September 8, 2026.

About Charles King Group

All data sourced from MLSPIN. Single family home sales, March 8, 2026 – September 8, 2026.

Charles King Group is a top-producing real estate team serving the South Shore (Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover, and 11 additional 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.

Contact: 617.549.8542 | [email protected]