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City · 22,545 residents · Rockingham County, New Hampshire

Portsmouth , New Hampshire

In Portsmouth, a typical home is worth $688,500 and typical rent is $1,869 a month. Compared with all of Rockingham County, the typical home value is 38% higher, typical rent is 11% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 27 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $688,500

    38% above the county

    71% above New Hampshire

    • Portsmouth
    • Rockingham
    • New Hampshire

  • Typical rent

    $1,869a month

    11% above the county

    25% above New Hampshire

    • Portsmouth
    • Rockingham
    • New Hampshire

  • Typical household income

    $106,219a year

    10% below the county

    7% above New Hampshire

    • Portsmouth
    • Rockingham
    • New Hampshire

  • Households that own their home

    52%

    27 points below the county

    21 points below New Hampshire

    • Portsmouth
    • Rockingham
    • New Hampshire

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$790,971
3.4% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,963 a month
2.6% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Portsmouth is in Rockingham County. The FHA loan limit ($962,550 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Rockingham County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Portsmouth apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 52% of households in Portsmouth own their home, against 78% in Rockingham County.

  2. Nearby, in Exeter, the typical home value is $357,500: 48% less than in Portsmouth ($688,500).

  3. Portsmouth has the 2nd highest typical home value of the 26 cities in New Hampshire with more than 5,000 people ($688,500).

  4. Nearby, in Durham, the typical rent is $1,302: 30% less than in Portsmouth ($1,869).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Portsmouth

What homes there are in Portsmouth, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Portsmouth there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are detached houses (39%); in Rockingham County, 65%.

Year built

The typical home in Portsmouth was built in 1959, 24 years before the typical one in Rockingham County.

In Portsmouth, 21% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 39% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 60% in Rockingham County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,952 a month

Rockingham County: $2,669 a month

Without a mortgage

$1,245 a month

Rockingham County: $1,137 a month

Owners with a mortgage

61%

Rockingham County: 67%

Owning costs more in Portsmouth: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $2,952 a month; in Rockingham County, $2,669. Without one, $1,245.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, homes in Portsmouth gained value faster than in Rockingham County: 62% against 53%.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Portsmouth rose 43%, more than in Rockingham County (37%).

Housing prices ran ahead of income in Portsmouth: typical income rose 27%, against +62% for home values and +43% for rent.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasurePortsmouthRockingham CountyNew HampshireUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate3.9%4.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.5%0.4%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate0.9%1.4%3.4%
People per household 2.022.482.442.53
Drive alone 69%72%72%69%
Carpool 3%6%7%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate0%1%3%
Walk or bike 5%2%3%3%
Work from home 22%19%17%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

On average, a household in Portsmouth has 2.02 people, fewer than in Rockingham County (2.48).

Many here get to work on foot or by bike: 5%, more than in Rockingham County (2%).

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Portsmouth?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Portsmouth, worth $688,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 66% of the typical household income in Portsmouth, which is $106,219 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $250,140 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Rockingham County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Portsmouth. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $24,098 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$5,837

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$676,029
Total interest
$972,647
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $11,627 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,478 a month

  • Tight

    $2,478 to $3,187 a month

  • Hard

    more than $3,187 a month

    Your payment · 66%

Compared with the typical household income in Portsmouth ($106,219 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$5,837
Principal & interest$4,580
Property tax$666
Home insurance$287
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$305

You need at least $24,098 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Portsmouth and Rockingham County

Portsmouth is in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Portsmouth's own numbers

Typical home value
$688,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,869
Typical yearly household income
$106,219
Households that own their home
52%
Effective property tax rate
1.16%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Rockingham County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$962,550
Conventional limit, one unit
$962,550
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,093–$3,008
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+62%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
4.3%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Rockingham County.

Everything about Rockingham County

Buying

Buying a home in Portsmouth

A typical home in Portsmouth is worth $688,500: 38% above the county and 71% above New Hampshire. With the typical household income in Portsmouth ($106,219 a year), a typical home costs 6.5 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Portsmouth 6.5 years
  • Rockingham 4.2 years
  • New Hampshire 4.1 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Rockingham County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Rockingham County rose 109% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Rockingham County.

Period County New Hampshire U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.5% +4.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +62% +66% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +109% +113% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Portsmouth next to Rockingham County, New Hampshire and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Portsmouth $688,500
  • Rockingham $497,500
  • New Hampshire $402,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Portsmouth $1,869
  • Rockingham $1,687
  • New Hampshire $1,491
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Portsmouth $106,219
  • Rockingham $118,331
  • New Hampshire $99,031
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Portsmouth next to Rockingham County and New Hampshire
Measure Portsmouth Rockingham County New Hampshire U.S.
Typical home value $688,500 $497,500 $402,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,869 $1,687 $1,491 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $106,219 $118,331 $99,031 $80,734
Households that own their home 52% 78% 73% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $8,018 $7,839 $6,667 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.16% 1.58% 1.66% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 50% 50% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Rockingham County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Portsmouth

For a typical $688,500 home in Portsmouth, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Portsmouth's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $5,837a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $24,098
    Cash to close
    $44,753
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $305

  • Conventional, 5% down $5,710a month

    Down payment
    $34,425
    Cash to close
    $55,080
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $327

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $4,684a month

    Down payment
    $137,700
    Cash to close
    $158,355
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $5,320a month

    Down payment
    $103,275
    Cash to close
    $123,930
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Portsmouth and for Rockingham County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Portsmouth

1.16%of the home’s value each year

$8,018 a year for the typical owner in Portsmouth.

  • Portsmouth 1.16%
  • Rockingham 1.58%
  • New Hampshire 1.66%

What New Hampshire publishes Deadline to apply for exemptions and credits: April 15 (New Hampshire General Court (Revised Statutes Annotated))

Exemptions and deadlines in New Hampshire

Flood risk in Rockingham County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Rockingham County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
4.3%
3,948
Of those, with NFIP insurance
37%
County New Hampshire U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 4.3% 2.8% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 37% 26% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Portsmouth

Typical rent in Portsmouth is $1,869 a month: 11% above the county. In Portsmouth, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for each area of Rockingham County; Portsmouth is in Portsmouth-Rochester, NH HUD Metro FMR Area. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,093 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $40.25 an hour working full time.

Fair market rent by size in Portsmouth-Rochester, NH HUD Metro FMR Area

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,489 $28.63 $59,560
1 bedroom $1,600 $30.77 $64,000
2 bedrooms $2,093 $40.25 $83,720
3 bedrooms $2,494 $47.96 $99,760
4 bedrooms $2,813 $54.10 $112,520

HUD splits this county into 4 areas with different fair market rents: for 2 bedrooms they run from $2,093 to $3,008. The table by area, below, shows which one each town is in.

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Fair market rent by HUD area in Rockingham County

HUD splits this county into 4 areas, each with its own fair market rent. Find your town in its area's list; the housing agency tells you which one it uses for your voucher.

HUD area Studio1 bd2 bd3 bd4 bdHourly wage, 2 bd
Lawrence, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area The area where most people live
13 towns in this area

Atkinson town, Chester town, Danville town, Derry town, Fremont town, Hampstead town, Kingston town, Newton town, Plaistow town, Raymond town, Salem town, Sandown town, Windham town

 $1,677$1,809$2,367$2,820$3,111$45.52
Portsmouth-Rochester, NH HUD Metro FMR Area Portsmouth is in this area
16 towns in this area

Brentwood town, East Kingston town, Epping town, Exeter town, Greenland town, Hampton town, Hampton Falls town, Kensington town, New Castle town, Newfields town, Newington town, Newmarket town, North Hampton town, Portsmouth city, Rye town, Stratham town

 $1,489$1,600$2,093$2,494$2,813$40.25
Western Rockingham County, NH HUD Metro FMR Area
6 towns in this area

Auburn town, Candia town, Deerfield town, Londonderry town, Northwood town, Nottingham town

 $1,782$1,794$2,347$3,189$3,201$45.13
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area
2 towns in this area

Seabrook town, South Hampton town

 $2,440$2,518$3,008$3,584$3,953$57.85

HUD fair market rent by area and size, per month, Fiscal year 2027. The wage is what full-time work must pay to rent 2 bedrooms without spending more than 30% of income. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027 Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Portsmouth

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Portsmouth is in ZIP code 03801.

For 2 bedrooms it is $2,430.

  • 03801 $2,430$2,900

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Portsmouth when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Portsmouth

HUD lists 15 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Portsmouth. These are the largest.

  • Margeson Apts 245 Middle St, Portsmouth 03801 237 low-income homes · Run by Portsmouth Housing Authority · Average payment: $459 a month · Average wait: 17 months (603) 436-4310
  • Gosling Meadows 2 Wedgewood Rd, Portsmouth 03801 184 homes, 182 low-income · Run by Portsmouth Housing Authority · Average payment: $617 a month · Average wait: 17 months (603) 436-4310
  • Wamesit Place 65 Holiday Dr, Portsmouth 100 homes, 93 low-income · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 50 · 3 bd: 30 · In service since 2011 · For families
  • Wamesit Place 175 Greenleaf Ave, Portsmouth 03801 100 homes, 70 low-income · For families
  • Mariner's Village (osprey Landing, Inishmore) 40 Blue Heron Dr, Portsmouth 66 low-income homes · 1 bd: 9 · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 24 · 4 bd: 3 · In service since 1995

See all 64 buildings in Rockingham County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Portsmouth

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Rockingham County; none says it serves in Spanish.

A grandmother pushes her grandson on a playground swing.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Portsmouth

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Portsmouth or Rockingham County. The ones below are statewide in New Hampshire: they work in Portsmouth the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in New Hampshire

  • New Hampshire Housing Cash Downpayment Assistance

    Statewide in New Hampshire

    New Hampshire state agency cash assistance of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 for the down payment with an NH Housing mortgage; open to any buyer who qualifies, not only first-time buyers. Offered by New Hampshire Housing.

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • 1stGenHomeNH

    Statewide in New Hampshire

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    New Hampshire state agency help of $10,000 for the down payment, closing costs and the escrow account, as a second mortgage with no interest or payments, repaid when you sell, refinance or leave the home; for first-generation buyers, people who were in foster care, or refugees or asylees. Offered by New Hampshire Housing.

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Portsmouth

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Portsmouth, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • The Housing Partnership

    222 International Dr Ste 165, Portsmouth · 1 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 2 more
    (603) 431-3620

  • Neighborworks of Southern New Hampshire

    801 Elm St, Manchester · 35 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 5 more
    (603) 626-4663

  • New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority

    32 Constitution Dr, Bedford · 37 miles away

    • Home improvement and repairs
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    (603) 472-8623

Every agency in Rockingham County All counseling agencies in New Hampshire

Help in Spanish near Portsmouth

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Portsmouth

HUD’s record names them for Portsmouth or Rockingham County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Portsmouth Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (603) 436-4310

4 other authorities have an office in Rockingham County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Rockingham County

These cities are also in Rockingham County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Rockingham County Housing in New Hampshire

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Portsmouth, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Rockingham County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Portsmouth.

All guides
A mother holds hands with her two daughters on the beach at sunset.

Questions

Housing questions about Portsmouth

Short answers with the numbers for Portsmouth and all of Rockingham County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Portsmouth?

The typical home value in Portsmouth is $688,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Rockingham County it is $497,500.

How much does it cost to rent in Portsmouth?

Typical rent in Portsmouth is $1,869 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Rockingham County is $2,093–$3,008.

What is the FHA loan limit in Portsmouth?

Portsmouth uses the FHA limit for all of Rockingham County (2026): $962,550 for a one-unit home and $1,851,100 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Portsmouth?

The typical homeowner in Portsmouth pays $8,018 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.16% of the home’s value; in Rockingham County, the rate is 1.58%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Portsmouth?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Rockingham County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).