Livability Score

72
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (5) A+
The Coffee Shoppe
Coffee Shop
Green Bean Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Norfolk Coffee & Tea
Coffee Shop
Fruitive
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
3-Way Cafe
Coffee Shop
Java Surf
Coffee Shop
Latte Cafe
Coffee Shop
Tidewater Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Fair Grounds Coffee
Coffee Shop
Cafe Stella
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
The Beastro
Coffee Shop
African Village Cafe
Coffee Shop
Borjo's Coffeehouse
Coffee Shop
Borjo Coffeehouse
Coffee Shop
Starving Artist Cafe
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (21) A+
Children's Museum of Virginia
Museum
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
Museum
Fresnel Lens from Hog Island Light
Attraction
Archway
Attraction
Portsmouth Lightship Museum
Museum
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center
Museum
Commodore Theatre
Cinema
Spanish American War 1898-1902
Attraction
Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
Theatre Arts
Union bank & Trust Pavilion
Theatre Arts
Unknown Name
Theatre Arts
Railroad Museum of Virginia
Museum
USS Antietam Anchor
Attraction
Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum
Museum
Nauticus
Museum
Splash Park
Water Park
USS Wisconsin BB-64
Museum
USS Norfolk Bell
Attraction
The MacArthur Memorial Museum
Museum
Wells Theater
Theatre Arts
Perry Family Arts Center
Theatre Arts
Regal Macarthur Center & RPX
Cinema
The NorVa
Theatre Arts
Benjack Studio Theater
Theatre Arts
Roper Performing Arts Center
Theatre Arts
Food and Drink (58) A-
Jimmy John's
Fast Food
McDonald's
Fast Food
Church's Chicken
Fast Food
Wendy's
Fast Food
Hardee's
Fast Food
Unknown Name
Fast Food
Unknown Name
Fast Food
PBR
Bar
The Harbor Club
Bar
Blue Moon Taphouse
Bar
Chipotle
Fast Food
VIN Wine Bar
Bar
Starr Hill Market Bar
Bar
The Yard
Bar
Grain Rooftop Beer Garden
Bar
Norfolk Tap Room
Bar
Unknown Name
Fast Food
Schlotzsky's
Fast Food
Pop Culture
Fast Food
Hell's Kitchen
Bar
Jimmy John's
Fast Food
Smoothie King
Fast Food
Grace O'Malleys
Bar
Brick Anchor Brew-House
Bar
Tap It
Bar
Fitness (9) F
Berkley Community Center
Community Centre
Beazley Community Center
Community Centre
Fitness First
Gym
The Gym Downtown
Gym
Jim White Fitness
Gym
Pilates
Gym
Young Terrace Community Center
Community Centre
Campostella Center
Community Centre
Portsmouth Sportsplex
Community Centre
Unknown Name
Community Centre
Huntersville Community Center
Community Centre
Cradock Recreational Center
Community Centre
John F Kennedy Recreation Center
Community Centre
Clubhouse
Community Centre
Lamberts Point Community Center
Community Centre
Planet Fitness
Gym
South Norfolk Community Center
Community Centre
Torch Yoga
Gym
Groceries (11) F
Carolina Cupcakery
Bakery
Unknown Name
Grocery Store
Unknown Name
Grocery Store
Harris Teeter
Grocery Store
The Bakehouse at Chelsea
Bakery
Kroger
Grocery Store
Welton's Seafood Market
Seafood
ALDI
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
The Fresh Market
Grocery Store
Unknown Name
Grocery Store
Food Lion
Grocery Store
Food Lion
Grocery Store
Elite Custom Cakes & Bakery
Bakery
Walmart Neighborhood Market
Grocery Store
Walmart Neighborhood Market
Bakery
Farm Fresh
Grocery Store
Food Lion
Grocery Store
Westside Produce & Provisions
Grocery Store
Parks (87) A+
River Front Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Middle Street Park
Park
Marquis De Lafayette Park
Park
Middle Street Park
Park
North Landing Park
Park
Glasgow Street Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Washington Street Park
Park
Greenwich Square Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Crawford Levee Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Gosport Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Fort Nelson Park
Park
Swimming Point Conservancy
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Trophy Park
Park
TowneBank Fountain Park
Park
Town Point Park
Park
Berkley Community Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Shops (123) A+
Portsmouth Welcome Center & Gift Shop
Gift Shop
Portsmouth Art's & Culture Center Gift Shop
Gift Shop
The Ocean Marine Store
Discount Store
Marine Center Store
Discount Store
Wawa
Convenience Store
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Hairdresser
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Dollar General
Discount Store
Prince Books
Books
7-Eleven
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
Unknown Name
Florist
Hairways
Hairdresser
Details on Granby
Clothing
Salon Fringe
Hairdresser
The Exclusive Gem
Fashion
Smooth
Beauty
Selden Optometry
Optician
Dillard's
Department Store
Unknown Name
Discount Store
Urban Outfitters
Clothing
New York & Company
Clothing
See more Portsmouth amenity data

commute F

Of all people who commute, 2.1% take public transportation in Portsmouth.
Public Transit Stops (4)
Stops & Stations F
MacArthur Square
Transit Station
Civic Plaza
Transit Station
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Monticello
Transit Station
Harbor Park
Transit Station
York Street/Freemason
Transit Station
Norfolk Downtown Transit Center
Bus Station
Norfolk
Transit Station
Norfolk Greyhound Station
Bus Station
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
EVMC/Fort Norfolk
Transit Station
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
NSU
Transit Station
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Unknown Name
Bus Stop
Ballentine/Broad Creek
Transit Station
Beazley
Transit Station
Goode
Transit Station
Ingleside Road
Transit Station
Workers Taking Public Transit
2.1% F
See more Portsmouth commute data

cost of living A-

The cost of living in Portsmouth is 101/100 - which is 8% lower than Virginia.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. C
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax A-
See more Portsmouth cost of living data

crime F

Portsmouth crime rates are 5,757 per 100k, which is 198% higher than Virginia
Property Crime
4,881 crimes per 100k F
Violent Crime
875 crimes per 100k F
See more Portsmouth crime data

employment C-

The median income in Portsmouth is $53,213 - which is 20% lower than Virginia.
Med. Household Income
$53,213 D-
Unemployment Rate
3.6% C
See more Portsmouth employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (73)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
Portsmouth Police Department
Police
Portsmouth Fire Department Administration
Fire Station
Portsmouth Police Department Training Academy
Police
Portsmouth Police Detectives
Police
Unknown Name
Doctor
Unknown Name
Doctor
Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center
Hospital
Unknown Name
Doctor
Unknown Name
Doctor
Portsmouth Fire Station Number 1
Fire Station
Naval Hospital Portsmouth NMCP
Hospital
Owen B. Pickett U.S. Custom House
Police
Unknown Name
Doctor
Norfolk Sheriff's Civil Process
Police
Norfolk Police Department
Police
Norfolk Fire / Rescue Administration
Fire Station
Norfolk Fire Station Number 8
Fire Station
Macarthur Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Portsmouth Health Clinic
Clinic
First Home Care
Hospital
Unknown Name
Doctor
Station 1
Fire Station
Unknown Name
Doctor
Unknown Name
Doctor
Chesapeake Health Clinic
Clinic
Air Quality
Median Air Quality A-
See more Portsmouth health & safety data

housing A+

Portsmouth home prices are $174,200 - which is 30% lower than Virginia
Home Price
$174,200 C+
Home Appreciation Rate
3% B-
Home Affordability
3.3x (home price to income ratio) B
See more Portsmouth housing data

schools B

The Portsmouth graduation rate is 79% - which is 6% lower than Virginia
School Test Scores
71% B
High School Grad. Rates
79% D+
Elementary Schools (24) F
Court Street Academy
St. Helena Elementary
Park View Elementary
Governor'S School For The Arts
Brighton Elementary
First Baptist Ready Academy Christian School
William H. Ruffner Middle
Emily Spong Preschool Center
Ghent Montessori School
The Williams School
P.B. Young Sr. Elementary
Tidewater Park Elementary
First Presbyterian Preschool
Kings Daughters Hosp. Ep.
St Paul'S Learning Center
Rena B. Wright Primary
Portsmouth Re-Ed
New Directions Center
Ghent K-8
Southside Stem Academy At Campostella
Truitt Intermediate
West Ghent School
Blair Middle
Walter Herron Taylor Elementary
Jacox Elementary
High Schools (5) F
I.C. Norcom High
Roadstead Montesorri High School
Kings Daughters Hosp. Ep.
Matthew Fontaine Maury High
Bina High School
Yeshiva Aish Kodosh Talmudical Academy
Booker T Washington High
Portsmouth Christian School
Tabernacle Christian Academy & Revelator Childcare
See more Portsmouth education data

ratings D+

Portsmouth has an overall rating of 57% from 20 reviews.
User Reviews (1)
From AreaVibes C-
User Surveys (19)
From AreaVibes D-
See more Portsmouth user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Portsmouth, VA Area Guide

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Photo of Portsmouth, VA
( 20 Ratings )

Living in Portsmouth, VA

Ranks better than 72% of areas Follow

Portsmouth Area Facts

  • Portsmouth has a Livability Score of 72/100, which is considered excellent
  • Portsmouth crime rates are 198% higher than the Virginia average
  • Cost of living in Portsmouth is 8% lower than the Virginia average

What do the locals think about Portsmouth?

Based on 19 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll
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Portsmouth Reviews

Write a review about Portsmouth Tell people what you like or don't like about Portsmouth…
My Time in Portsmouth, Virginia 3 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 24, 2010) I lived in Portsmouth, VA for about 7 months. I lived in the Churchland area of Portsmouth. This area I really enjoyed. There was a variety of great restaurants, bars and some cozy shops to go browsing through. I really did not care for the city very much, outside of the Churchla ...Read More nd area. I felt that there was always a negative vibe running through the city of Portsmouth. Anytime I turned on the news, I heard about a robbery or a shooting, with all that crime, its hard to feel safe.

In my opinion, Portsmouth is somewhat rundown and in desperate need of a makeover. The downtown area was full of old undermaintained buildings, that looked as though they needed to be condemned. The best looking building in downtown, is the social services building, but even that has the misfortune of being surrounded by empty lots that are strewn with trash.

One thing that is nice about Old Towne section of the city of Portsmouth is that they have a ferry that runs across the river to downtown Norfolk, which is located across the water. The ferry commute will allow you to not have the hassle of dealing with the early morning traffic if you work in the downtown Norfolk area. Read Less
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Compare Portsmouth, VA Livability

      vs

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Portsmouth? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      River Front Park
      Unknown Name
      Middle Street Park
      Marquis De Lafayette Park
      Middle Street Park
      North Landing Park
      Glasgow Street Park
      Unknown Name

      Entertainment

      Children's Museum of Virginia
      Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
      Fresnel Lens from Hog Island Light
      Archway
      Portsmouth Lightship Museum
      Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center
      Commodore Theatre
      Spanish American War 1898-1902

      Food & Drink

      Jimmy John's
      McDonald's
      Church's Chicken
      Wendy's
      Hardee's
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name
      PBR

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Portsmouth? Of all people who commute, 2.1% take public transportation in Portsmouth.
      Drive to Work
      78%

      1% higher than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      2%

      3% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      3%

      equal to the US average

      A- Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Portsmouth? The cost of living in Portsmouth is 101/100 - which is 8% lower than Virginia.
      Portsmouth
      101

      1% more expensive than average

      Virginia
      109

      9% more expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      F Crime

      What is the crime rate in Portsmouth? Portsmouth crime rates are 5,757, which are 198% higher than Virginia
      Total Crime
      5,757 per 100k people

      148% higher than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 18

      148% higher than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      24%

      Year over year crime is up

      C- Employment

      What is the median income in Portsmouth? The median income in Portsmouth is $53,213 which is 20% lower than Virginia.
      Median household income
      $53,2134% lower than the US average
      Income per capita
      $27,2769% lower than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      4%

      22% lower than the US average

      A Health & Safety

      Is Portsmouth a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Naval Hospital Portsmouth NMCP
      Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center
      Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
      First Home Care

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      Walgreens
      Rite Aid
      CVS Pharmacy
      Rite Aid
      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy

      Doctors

      A+ Housing

      What are Portsmouth home prices? Portsmouth home prices are $174,200 - which is 30% lower than Virginia
      Median home value
      $174,2006% lower than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,08314% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      55%

      13% lower than the US average

      B Schools

      Does Portsmouth have good schools? The Portsmouth graduation rate is 79% - which is 6% lower than Virginia
      High school grad. rates
      79%

      5% lower than the US average

      School test scores
      71%

      49% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      14:1

      10% lower than the US average

      D+ User Ratings

      Is Portsmouth a good place to live? Portsmouth has an overall rating of 57% from 20 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      57%

      20 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      60%

      1 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      51%

      19 total surveys

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