Rows tagged local are specific to Portsmouth (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Boston, MA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district Portsmouth School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
110.4
metro-area
#187 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
100.8
metro-area
#161 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$6.28
metro-area
#187 of 200 metros
Median household income
$100,169
local
#1077 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$63,016
local
#503 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.50%
local
#248 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.3%
local
#1866 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$594,000
local
#2648 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.9×
local
#2731 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.6%
metro-area
#96 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$330
local
#2599 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,800 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,660
local
#2036 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
10,977
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.6%
state
#148 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
0.00%
state
#29 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#160 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.32%
local
#2178 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$7,817
local
#2763 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,800
state
#193 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#197 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#19 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.80% of value (~$504/yr)
state
#181 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#695 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
27.2¢/kWh
state
#166 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$245
state
#166 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.25/gal
state
#94 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$90
state
#198 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$85
state
#25 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$66
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,000
state
#100 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#41 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#120 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
43
metro-area
#70 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,600
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
49.2"
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
120
state
#43 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,100
state
#3 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
24
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Parks
77
Hiking areas
14
Golf courses
20
Shooting ranges
1
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#147 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.