Portsmouth, Ohio · Vasiliymeshko / CC BY 4.0Portsmouth Works Group A B C D Squier and Davis 01 · Squier and Davis / Public domainThe steamer 'Bonanza', at the Portsmouth Ohio waterfront during the 1884 flood OldBoat 022519 · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domainUS Grant Bridge aerial 2017 · Antony-22 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Portsmouth is a small city of 18,130 in Ohio, with a median household income of $36,051
and a 11.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Portsmouth stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Portsmouth is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Portsmouth city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 87.1
Portsmouth's overall cost of living index is 87.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Portsmouth costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Portsmouth, OH
National Avg
Median Home Value
$91,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$704
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
47.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$36,051
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Portsmouth's violent crime rate is 715.0 per 100,000 residents
— 88% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
715.0 /100k
Property Crime
3857.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Portsmouth is served primarily by New Boston Local.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Portsmouth, OH
National Avg
School District
New Boston Local
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Portsmouth sees average highs of 41.3°F in January
and 86.7°F in July,
with 45.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 6.6 inches of snow per year.
Portsmouth's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Portsmouth roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $91,000 and median rent is $704/month.
Portsmouth's violent crime rate is 715.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3857.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Portsmouth are operated by New Boston Local.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.8:1. 16.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Portsmouth, OH has a population of 18,130, a median household income of $36,051, and an unemployment rate of 11.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Portsmouth averages 41.3°F in January and 86.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.1 inches
with about 6.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Portsmouth, OH is covered by 1 ZIP code: 45662.
The population of Portsmouth, Ohio is 18,130 with a median age of 37.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Portsmouth: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $91,000, median household income $36,051, crime index 186 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Portsmouth side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
