The story of this market
The typical home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire sells for about $963,000, or $435 per square foot.
Prices are up +21.9% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 28 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $3,000 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+3.4%
NH · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
The Portsmouth housing market remains robust, characterized by high demand and limited inventory, which continues to drive price appreciation. While the market has seen a significant year-over-year increase in median sales price, the pace of sales remains healthy. Buyers are finding a balanced environment, though competition for well-priced properties persists.
No ARED county foreclosure postings attributed to Portsmouth yet — the verified ledger covers every county the foreclosure ingest has read, attributed by published city area. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Deterministic aggregate of 4 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Median prices moved down 11.9% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 34 days on market with 0.9 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
7% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 100% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.8% · poverty 6.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
- Water Country Water Park4.12.7 mi
- Wonder Mountain Fun Park4.316.6 mi
- Hilltop Fun Center4.413.7 mi
- Bowl-O-Rama Family Fun Center4.41.3 mi
- Portsmouth Escape Room4.80.7 mi
- Cider Hill Farm4.716 mi
- The Brook4.214.2 mi
- Wentworth By The Sea4.41.6 mi
- New England Dragway4.814.2 mi
- Roundabout Diner and Lounge4.41.2 mi
- Water Country Water Park4.12.7 mi
- The Brook4.214.2 mi
- Hampton Beach State Park4.612.2 mi
- Strawbery Banke Museum4.70.4 mi
- Seacoast Science Center4.62.7 mi
- Nubble Lighthouse4.910.5 mi
- Strawbery Banke Museum4.70.4 mi
- Seacoast Science Center4.62.7 mi
- Children's Museum of New Hampshire4.710.5 mi
- Lobster Point Lighthouse4.614.6 mi
- Hampton Beach State Park4.612.2 mi
- Seacoast Science Center4.62.7 mi
- Prescott Park4.70.5 mi
- Odiorne Point State Park4.72.7 mi
- Fort Foster4.73.2 mi
- Great Bay Marine Inc4.55.2 mi
- Safe Harbor Wentworth By The Sea4.61.7 mi
- Breakfast Hill Golf Club4.45.1 mi
- Pease Golf Course4.43 mi
- Links at Outlook Golf Course4.612.2 mi
- Sagamore-Hampton Golf Club4.27 mi
- The Oaks4.315.8 mi
- Kittery Premium Outlets4.33.3 mi
- Applecrest Farm Orchards4.511.7 mi
- Wentworth Greenhouses4.911.4 mi
- Tendercrop Farm at the Red Barn4.68.1 mi
- McKinnon's Market & Super Butcher Shop Portsmouth, N.H.4.62.9 mi
- Portsmouth International Airport4.63.2 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A premier waterfront park hosting summer concerts and gardens, serving as a central community gathering space.
The historic harbor is the heart of the city's maritime heritage and a major draw for tourism and recreational boating.
A dense, historic district featuring high-end restaurants, independent boutiques, and cultural landmarks.
Portsmouth is ideal for affluent professionals, retirees, and families seeking a high quality of life in a historic, walkable coastal setting. It attracts commuters working in the regional tech and healthcare sectors who value proximity to both Boston and the Maine coast. The city is less suited for budget-conscious buyers due to its high entry price point and competitive market.
The Portsmouth School District is highly regarded, consistently ranking among the top-performing districts in New Hampshire. Schools in the area benefit from strong community support, high graduation rates, and a focus on college and career readiness. The district's reputation is a primary driver for family-oriented housing demand in the city.
The city is served by I-95, providing critical access to the Boston metropolitan area and the Maine coast. Local transit is limited, but the city's compact, walkable downtown reduces reliance on vehicles for daily errands. Commuter bus services connect the city to regional hubs.
Portsmouth offers a robust amenity base centered on its historic waterfront, including Prescott Park and numerous marinas. Residents enjoy access to high-end dining, boutique shopping, and cultural venues like the Music Hall. The city's walkability and proximity to coastal beaches make it a premier destination for leisure and recreation.
The rental market in Portsmouth is characterized by high demand and low vacancy rates, driven by the city's desirability and limited housing supply. Rents have seen significant upward pressure, reflecting the broader regional trend of rising housing costs. Investor interest remains strong, though short-term rental regulations are strictly monitored by the city.
Portsmouth's economy is anchored by the Pease International Tradeport, healthcare services, and a thriving tourism sector. The city benefits from a highly educated workforce and proximity to major regional employment centers. Economic momentum remains positive, supported by steady commercial investment.
Portsmouth serves as a regional economic hub with a diverse base including healthcare, technology, and tourism. The redevelopment of the Pease International Tradeport continues to be a major driver of employment and infrastructure investment. Ongoing mixed-use projects in the downtown area maintain steady economic momentum.
Development is focused on infill projects and the revitalization of historic properties within the downtown core. Planning efforts prioritize maintaining the city's architectural character while addressing housing density needs.
Parcels in Portsmouth are subject to municipal property taxes and standard school district levies. There are no significant MUD or PID districts, as the city provides comprehensive municipal services.
Portsmouth reports a violent crime rate of approximately 187 per 100,000 residents. This figure is generally considered low compared to national averages, reflecting the city's status as a safe, historic coastal community. Crime trends remain stable with typical urban-suburban patterns for a city of its size.
As a coastal city, Portsmouth faces risks related to sea-level rise and storm surges, particularly in low-lying historic districts near the Piscataqua River. Property owners are increasingly focused on flood insurance requirements and climate-resilient building practices. The city actively manages these risks through zoning and infrastructure planning.
Property insurance premiums in Portsmouth are influenced by coastal flood risks and the age of the housing stock. Market health is stable, though insurers are increasingly sensitive to climate-related hazards.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (New Hampshire) — Property Tax Abatement: Provides a mechanism for property owners to seek a reduction in their tax assessment if they can prove the assessment is disproportionate to other properties or causes undue hardship. State (New Hampshire) — New Hampshire Property Tax: Property taxes are levied by local taxing districts (municipalities, counties, school districts). The tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the local tax rate (tax rate = total amount to be raised / total assessed value of the municipality).
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 9.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this city's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov for Portsmouth city, New Hampshire.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.