Portsmouth 72 Excellent
Portsmouth Livability #189 ranked city in Virginia#5,684 ranked city in the USARanks better than 80% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Portsmouth

PROS
  • Amenities

    A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

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What's it like Living in Portsmouth?

Portsmouth, Virginia is a moderately-sized city with a population of 94,961 residents. Individuals of White (39%) and Black or African American (53%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 46% of the Portsmouth population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Portsmouth your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Portsmouth can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Virginia, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Portsmouth and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Portsmouth to Virginia and the national average.

Portsmouth, VA receives 72 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #168 in Virginia and #4,786 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Portsmouth has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (A+), cost of living (A-), education (B) and housing (B). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Portsmouth. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: crime (F).

Portsmouth has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Portsmouth has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Children's Museum of Virginia, Commodore Theater, and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Portsmouth have an average test score of 71%, which is well above the US average.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Portsmouth market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Portsmouth real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Portsmouth. Median real estate prices in Portsmouth come in at $174,200, which is 29.9% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Portsmouth, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 13.2% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Portsmouth

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Compare Portsmouth, VA Livability

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      Portsmouth transportation information

      Statistic Portsmouth Virginia National
      Average one way commute23min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.6%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.7%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.1%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Portsmouth, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).