Living in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portsmouth · Census data 2020–2024
Portsmouth has 17,644 residents with a median age of 48. The median household income is $117,467 (34% higher than the Rhode Island median), the median home value is $597,000, the median rent is $1,719/month.
Portsmouth at a glance
- Population
- 17,644
- Median age
- 48State: 40.6
- Median household income
- $117,467State: $87,796
- Median home value
- $597,000State: $404,200
- Median rent
- $1,719/moState: $1,342
- Homeowners
- 80.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 62.2%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Portsmouth a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 34% higher than the Rhode Island median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 4.9%.
Cons: Home values 48% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Portsmouth
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portsmouth the median home value is $597,000, 79% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,719 per month, which is 29.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,732 a month in housing costs.
Portsmouth median household income
The median household income in Portsmouth is $117,467 and the income per person is $63,379. 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Rhode Island: 11.2%).
Housing in Portsmouth: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,612
- Owner-occupied
- 80.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 19.3%
- Vacant
- 12.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.29
Portsmouth demographics
- Population
- 17,644
- Median age
- 48
- Under 18
- 18.9%
- 65 and older
- 26.6%
- Households
- 7,541
- Foreign-born
- 5.9%
- Veterans
- 11%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portsmouth ›
Education in Portsmouth
62.2% of adults 25 and older in Portsmouth have a bachelor's degree or higher (Rhode Island: 37.7%), and 25.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portsmouth
- Unemployment rate
- 3.1%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 16%
- Drive alone
- 76.9%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.8%
Portsmouth vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 17,644 | $117,467 | $597,000 | $1,719 |
| Bristol | 22,220 | $97,764 | $485,000 | $1,579 |
| Melville | 1,631 | $102,266 | — | $2,724 |
| Warwick | 83,175 | $88,708 | $354,600 | $1,363 |
| Barrington | 17,126 | $153,198 | $644,100 | $1,943 |
| Warren | 11,144 | $90,729 | $395,700 | $1,363 |
| North Kingstown | 27,859 | $126,293 | $543,700 | $1,268 |
| Tiverton | 16,189 | $106,036 | $411,900 | $1,247 |
| Jamestown | 5,534 | $140,625 | $842,400 | $1,629 |
More for people moving to Portsmouth
Portsmouth ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portsmouth: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portsmouth, RI?
The median household income in Portsmouth is $117,467, 34% higher than the Rhode Island median of $87,796 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Portsmouth?
The median home value in Portsmouth is $597,000, compared with $404,200 in Rhode Island.
How much is rent in Portsmouth?
The median gross rent in Portsmouth is $1,719 per month, about 29.9% of household income.
Is Portsmouth, RI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 34% higher than the Rhode Island median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 4.9%. Minuses: home values 48% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Portsmouth?
The median age in Portsmouth is 48 years (Rhode Island: 40.6).
How long is the commute in Portsmouth?
The average commute to work in Portsmouth is 23 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portsmouth?
The unemployment rate in Portsmouth is 3.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portsmouth?
62.2% of adults in Portsmouth have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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