| Index | Portsmouth | New Hampshire | National |
| Cost of living | 138 | 110 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Housing | 216 | 125 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 108 | 105 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Portsmouth is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Portsmouth is 138, which is 38% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Portsmouth may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Portsmouth falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Portsmouth, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 116% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 13 residents in Portsmouth to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 38% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 62% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Portsmouth an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Portsmouth, the median home price is 147.3% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 43.1% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Portsmouth come in at $115,727, which is 42.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Portsmouth, healthcare costs are 3.2% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Portsmouth, the transportation index stands at 3.5% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Portsmouth, is 116% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Portsmouth are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $166,111 | $13,843 | $3,876 | $4,984 |
| Renters | $90,592 | $7,549 | $2,114 | $2,718 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New Hampshire | 0% | 0% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New Hampshire | 4% | 4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Berwick, ME | 2,058 | 106 | 5.7% |
| Somersworth, NH | 12,381 | 108 | 8.5% |
| Exeter, NH | 9,649 | 113 | 12.8% |
| Dover, NH | 33,095 | 116 | 16.0% |
| Newmarket, NH | 5,955 | 117 | 17.0% |
| Portsmouth, NH | 22,060 | 138 | 37.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Carrboro, NC | 22,056 | 126 | 25.7% |
| Bear, DE | 22,065 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Huntsville, ON | 22,073 | n/a | |
| Biddeford, ME | 22,077 | 113 | 12.9% |
| Bellview, FL | 22,042 | 97 | 2.8% |
| Portsmouth, NH | 22,060 | 138 | 37.9% |
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