Rows tagged local are specific to Portsmouth (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Virginia Beach, VA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district Portsmouth City Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
97.7
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
97.1
metro-area
#120 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.56
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Median household income
$57,154
local
#2730 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$37,662
local
#2348 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.2 years
metro-area
#62 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
35.1%
metro-area
#80 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
6.8%
metro-area
#124 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
63.1%
metro-area
#142 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.64%
local
#2502 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+1.9%
local
#1934 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$213,300
local
#696 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.7×
local
#1455 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.5%
metro-area
#72 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$107
local
#582 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,999 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,225
local
#1047 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
6,920
Median days on market
22
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.5%
state
#160 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
5.73%
state
#12 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.75%
Capital gains tax
5.75%
state
#130 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.11%
local
#1923 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,375
local
#878 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
76.3 years
metro-area
#108 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.1%
metro-area
#67 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
72
metro-area
#115 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#141 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$80
state
#64 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
3.97% of value (~$1,112/yr)
state
#197 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#751 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
75.8%
metro-area
#108 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
34.7%
metro-area
#131 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.4¢/kWh
state
#112 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$156
state
#112 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$103
state
#97 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#67 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#51 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 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.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
61.5 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 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)
41
metro-area
#50 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,900
metro-area
#102 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
26
metro-area
#96 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
87°F
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
28°F
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
49.2"
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
6.2"
metro-area
#96 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
200
state
#7 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,500
state
#32 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
32
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Parks
43
Hiking areas
6
Golf courses
22
Shooting ranges
10
Lakes
3
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 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.