Portsmouth, NH Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Amazon Prime Day 2026

Exclusive Deals for Your New Home

🛒 Shop Prime Day Deals Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Portsmouth, NH Utility & Living Guide

Living in Portsmouth, NH offers a unique blend of historic charm, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities along the Piscataqua River.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$380/mo
1BR Rent$1400/mo
COL Index118 (+18% above national average)
Family Score8/10
Median Home$430,000
🌤️ Live Weather — Portsmouth
Loading weather...
📷 Live Cameras — Portsmouth
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Portsmouth
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Portsmouth?

Moving to Portsmouth? Find out how much retirement income you could generate based on your current savings, age, and goals. Calculate Your Retirement Income → Free · Takes 2 minutes · No personal data required
💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$150/mo

Eversource Energy
🔥 Gas

$80/mo

Unitil
💧 Water

$50/mo

City of Portsmouth Water Division
🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

City of Portsmouth Public Works
📶 Internet

$70/mo

Combined Average Overhead $380/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$1400/mo
2 Bedrooms$1800/mo
3 Bedrooms$2400/mo
Median Home Price$430,000
Property Tax Rate1.8%
Avg Childcare/mo$1200

The housing market in Portsmouth is highly competitive, with a mix of historic homes, condos, and new developments. The city’s proximity to Boston and its cultural attractions make it a desirable place to live. However, this demand has driven up housing prices in recent years.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

118

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

+18% above national average

Groceries

105

Transportation

94

Healthcare

102

Childcare/mo

$1200

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Property Tax Rate1.8%
<p>State 0% + No county tax + No city tax</p>

New Hampshire has no state income tax, but it does tax dividends and interest income.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
8/10
Safety Index

60

Higher = safer
School Rating

7.5/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$1200/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Purple description, with a mix of Democratic and Republican voters
Business Momentum
High, with key industries in tourism, healthcare, and technology
Top Local Concerns
Affordability, traffic, and parking
🚌 Transit for Families

Portsmouth has a walkable downtown area and a public transportation system that includes buses, but it can be challenging to navigate with a stroller due to historic district sidewalks and limited elevator access.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Strawbery Banke Museum
  • 🎯
    Portsmouth Children's Museum
  • 🎯
    Water Country

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The Downtown area, the South End, and the Historic District are popular neighborhoods for families, offering a mix of historic homes, parks, and proximity to schools and amenities.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Portsmouth based on your household profile.

Local Briefing & Neighborhood Pulse

Live Local News

Portsmouth has regulations regarding historic district preservation, zoning, and parking.

Portsmouth's economy is driven by tourism, healthcare, and technology, with a growing number of startups and small businesses. The city's financial trends are characterized by a strong demand for housing and a thriving downtown area.

Financial Tools

Calculators
Planning Tools

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Portsmouth — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Portsmouth fluctuate significantly by season, with higher electricity costs in the summer due to air conditioning and higher gas costs in the winter due to heating. Residents can expect to pay around 20-30% more for utilities during the peak summer and winter months.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The property tax millage rate in Portsmouth is around 24-26 mills, with no local surtaxes.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

7/10, with wide sidewalks and accessible parks, but limited elevator access in some historic buildings and challenging navigation in the downtown area

🏠 Planning Your Move?

Shop moving supplies, storage solutions and home essentials

🛒 Shop on Amazon — Prime Day Deals

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.