10 Best Coastal Towns in New England
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Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 17% of Residents
Under 20
18%
Over 65
22%
Portsmouth
Portsmouth, NH Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,329
Population
23,255
Renter Mix
48% Rent
A small city with a large history.
Walkable
•
Coastal
•
Historic
•
Charming
•
Vibrant
•
Active
•
Close-Knit
•
Scenic
•
Artistic
•
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.
Explore the City
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
Demographics
Median Household Income
$102,730
Average: $126,970
Education
12,641
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
13,504
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Portsmouth has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
48%
Non-Renters
52%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
49%
Other Education
51%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Portsmouth, NH is $1,934 for a studio, $2,330 for one bedroom, $2,472 for two bedrooms, and $2,815 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Portsmouth has increased by 0.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,330/month
695 Sq Ft
House
$4,492/month
2,585 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,173/month
1,225 Sq Ft
Townhome
$3,080/month
1,239 Sq Ft
Learn More About Portsmouth
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Portsmouth, NH is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
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
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Shieling Forest
- Urban Forestry Center
- Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
- Strawbery Banke Museum
- Shoals Marine Laboratory
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Portsmouth International at Pease
- Manchester Boston Regional
Top Apartments in Portsmouth
Houses for Rent in Portsmouth
Property Management Companies in Portsmouth, NH
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Methodology
† 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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.