Portsmouth, New Hampshire, combines historic architecture with coastal New England living. This seaport community of approximately 22,000 residents features a walkable downtown showcasing preserved Colonial and Federal-style buildings. The rental market reflects Portsmouth's appeal, with average monthly rents ranging from $1,868 for studios to $2,585 for three-bedroom homes, showing a steady annual increase of 2.45%. The Downtown district features restored brick Federalist buildings with apartment communities, while the waterfront area near Prescott Park offers Piscataqua River views. The West End neighborhood provides a mix of historic and contemporary rental options with convenient access to downtown amenities.
Portsmouth's maritime heritage remains evident throughout the city, anchored by the Strawbery Banke Museum, where preserved historic homes tell four centuries of American history. Prescott Park along the waterfront hosts the annual Prescott Park Arts Festival, bringing entertainment to residents during summer evenings. The city's restaurant scene includes over 36,000 dining seats, establishing Portsmouth as a notable New England dining destination. The Music Hall, an 1878 theater with 900 seats, presents performances year-round, while the Portsmouth African Burying Ground preserves the only archaeologically verified 18th-century African burial site in New England. Major employers including Lonza Biologics and the U.S. State Department's Consular Center contribute to Portsmouth's economic stability.
Historic Market Square has been the heart of Portsmouth since the 1700s
The historic John Paul Jones House was built in 1758
The Governor Langdon House, built in 1784
The Governor Goodwin Mansion was built in 1811
As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Portsmouth, NH is $1,880 for a studio, $2,278 for one bedroom, $2,483 for two bedrooms, and $2,778 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Portsmouth has increased by 0.5% in the past year.
Looking to live by the water? Explore other coastal cities in New England.
Open to exploring your options? Discover other great cities in New Hampshire with our detailed guide.
Somewhat Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades K-5
346 Students
Public
Grades K-5
259 Students
Mary C. Dondero Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
323 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
499 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,032 Students
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.
