| Index | Portsmouth | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 81 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 48 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 93 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Portsmouth? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Portsmouth stands at 81, making it 19% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Portsmouth stands out by reporting housing costs that are 52.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
Is Portsmouth affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Portsmouth, for instance, where the median home price falls 57.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 39.2% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Portsmouth flaunting a median household income of $47,027, 42.2% lower than the national norm.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Portsmouth, healthcare costs are 6.2% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The Portsmouth cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $71,573 | $5,964 | $1,670 | $2,147 |
| Renters | $30,029 | $2,502 | $701 | $901 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| McDermott, OH | 363 | 75 | 25.5% |
| Garrison, KY | 779 | 77 | 23.0% |
| Otway, OH | 21 | 78 | 22.1% |
| New Boston, OH | 2,747 | 78 | 22.0% |
| South Shore, KY | 1,323 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Portsmouth, OH | 20,625 | 81 | 18.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| East Hemet, CA | 20,622 | 124 | 24.2% |
| Lloydminster (Part), AB | 20,628 | n/a | |
| Alamo, TX | 20,629 | 83 | 16.8% |
| Ozark, MO | 20,620 | 94 | 5.8% |
| Port Angeles, WA | 20,631 | 113 | 12.5% |
| Portsmouth, OH | 20,625 | 81 | 18.7% |
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