Living in Portsmouth, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portsmouth · Census data 2020–2024
Portsmouth has 97,190 residents with a median age of 35.9. The median household income is $60,491 (35% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $246,900, the median rent is $1,300/month.
Portsmouth at a glance
- Population
- 97,190
- Median age
- 35.9State: 39
- Median household income
- $60,491State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $246,900State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $1,300/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 57.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.3%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Portsmouth a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 17.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Portsmouth
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portsmouth the median home value is $246,900, 26% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,300 per month, which is 35.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,752 a month in housing costs.
Portsmouth median household income
The median household income in Portsmouth is $60,491 and the income per person is $33,568. 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Portsmouth: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 43,318
- Owner-occupied
- 57.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 42.1%
- Vacant
- 7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1967
- Average household size
- 2.34
Portsmouth demographics
- Population
- 97,190
- Median age
- 35.9
- Under 18
- 23%
- 65 and older
- 15.5%
- Households
- 40,288
- Foreign-born
- 3.3%
- Veterans
- 12.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portsmouth ›
Education in Portsmouth
24.3% of adults 25 and older in Portsmouth have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 8.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portsmouth
- Unemployment rate
- 6.6%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 8.7%
- Drive alone
- 71.1%
- Public transit
- 1.6%
- Walk to work
- 3.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 88%
Portsmouth vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 97,190 | $60,491 | $246,900 | $1,300 |
| Norfolk | 233,596 | $66,109 | $289,900 | $1,321 |
| Carrollton | 8,436 | $110,956 | $423,900 | $1,789 |
| Chesapeake | 252,583 | $95,373 | $378,400 | $1,586 |
| Hampton | 137,557 | $69,621 | $245,700 | $1,427 |
| Benns Church | 1,813 | $56,151 | $338,800 | — |
| Smithfield | 8,834 | $113,158 | $374,900 | $1,195 |
| Bethel Manor | 4,393 | $77,294 | — | $2,121 |
| Newport News | 184,216 | $69,634 | $260,600 | $1,339 |
More for people moving to Portsmouth
Portsmouth ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portsmouth: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portsmouth, VA?
The median household income in Portsmouth is $60,491, 35% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (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 $246,900, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Portsmouth?
The median gross rent in Portsmouth is $1,300 per month, about 35.4% of household income.
Is Portsmouth, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 17.3%.
What is the median age in Portsmouth?
The median age in Portsmouth is 35.9 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Portsmouth?
The average commute to work in Portsmouth is 24 minutes; 8.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portsmouth?
The unemployment rate in Portsmouth is 6.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portsmouth?
24.3% 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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