salaryRent is lower than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,880 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 46 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Portsmouth?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Portsmouth
| Size | Portsmouth | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,327 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,168 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,317 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,654 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,837 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Portsmouth overall?
Everyday prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Portsmouth
Life in Portsmouth
What jobs pay in Portsmouth
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | 13.0% |
| Lawyer | $133,380 | 13.2% |
| Software Developer | $129,090 | 13.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | 14.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | 14.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,760 | 17.0% |
| Operations Manager | $100,340 | 17.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | 17.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | 18.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | 19.7% |
| Accountant | $79,450 | 22.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,560 | 25.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,370 | 27.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,380 | 27.9% |
| Electrician | $62,350 | 28.3% |
| Plumber | $61,870 | 28.6% |
| Police Officer | $59,690 | 29.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,470 | 29.7% |
| Firefighter | $56,940 | 31.0% |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | 34.3% |
| Truck Driver | $50,460 | 35.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,620 | 40.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,160 | 45.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,020 | 45.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,990 | 45.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,150 | 46.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,280 | 48.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,820 | 57.3% |
| Cashier | $29,320 | 60.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Portsmouth?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $241 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $246,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,690 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Portsmouth, VA?
Renting in Portsmouth costs a median of about $1,472 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Portsmouth?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,880 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Portsmouth cheap or expensive?
Portsmouth is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $65,240. It ranks 46th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Portsmouth?
The median homeowner in Portsmouth pays $2,557 a year in property taxes, about 1.04% of the median home value.
Is Portsmouth more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Portsmouth?
The median home value in Portsmouth is $246,900, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
97,190 people live in Portsmouth. Numbers are typical (middle) values.