City profile
Portsmouth, NH
Historic seaport with brick streets, waterfront dining and a lively arts scene.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
23°F
Summer avg
71°F
Sunny days / yr
200
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$700,000
Typical monthly housing
$4,697
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
128
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.77%
- State income tax (top)
- None
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- None
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 86/100
Top hazards: Coastal flooding, Ice storm, Riverine flooding
Nearest major airport
45 mi to Portland International Jetport (PWM)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 48% Democratic / 51% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
22,545
Growth since 2019
+3.5%
Median age
42.9
Residents 65+
21.0%
Median household income
$106,219
Income growth since 2019
+26.6%
Black household income
—
Home ownership
51.9%
Poverty rate
6.8%
Poverty rate, 65+
5.8%
Race & ethnicity: Black 0.2% · White 86.2% · Hispanic 3.8% · Asian 4.1% · Other 5.7%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
207 · 37% below the national average
Property crime
1,140 · 27% below the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Portsmouth Police Department. State average: violent 119, property 829.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸NH is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Home insurance costs are among the lowest in the U.S.
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- Walkable historic downtown
- Seacoast living
- No income or sales tax
Trade-offs
- Expensive
- Small Black community
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.