A+
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
53%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Portsmouth Ohio National
Cost of living8292100
Goods & Services95100100
Groceries100101100
Health care10198100
Housing4773100
Transportation94100100
Utilities9899100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Portsmouth, OH

Knowing the cost of living in Portsmouth allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Portsmouth stands at 82, marking it 18% lower than the national average.

Portsmouth housing costs are 52.9% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, Portsmouth residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

Is Portsmouth Affordable?

Is Portsmouth an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Portsmouth is 58.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 39% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Portsmouth has a median household income of $31,117, which is 43.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Portsmouth?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Portsmouth, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.75%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Portsmouth, the utilities index registers 2.5% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Portsmouth, the transportation index stands at 6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Portsmouth displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Portsmouth is 11% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Portsmouth is 18% lower than the national average
  • Portsmouth housing is 53% lower than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 6% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Portsmouth

See all the best places to live around Portsmouth

Compare Portsmouth, OH Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$48,992$4,083$1,143$1,470
      Renters$19,958$1,663$466$599
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Portsmouth, OH, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Portsmouth homeowners, is $48,992. This would allow for a maximum of $1,143 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $19,958 which would result in a maximum of $466 to be spent on rental costs.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 2.76% 3.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Portsmouth National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.78$24.2622.6%
      Beauty Salon $46.22$45.561.4%
      Toothpaste $3.56$3.703.8%
      Shampoo $1.18$1.288.1%
      Movie $12.41$12.132.3%
      Bowling $13.67$18.0024.1%

      Groceries

      Item Portsmouth National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.57$5.844.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.35$1.5714.0%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.4%
      Potatoes $5.16$4.934.6%
      Pizza $11.31$12.096.4%
      Beer $10.19$10.412.1%

      Health Care

      Item Portsmouth National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $172.33$125.6837.1%
      Doctor $158.83$135.7817.0%
      Dentist $107.83$113.294.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.49$10.651.5%
      Lipitor $355.05$468.6024.2%

      Housing

      Item Portsmouth National avg. Difference
      Home Price $75,900.00$184,700.0058.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,346.93$2,346.6942.6%
      Apartment Rent $579.00$949.0039.0%

      Transportation

      Item Portsmouth National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.36$3.463.0%
      Tire Balancing $52.00$59.9213.2%

      Utilities

      Item Portsmouth National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $189.47$193.992.3%
      Phone $186.09$192.253.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      McDermott, OH3547426.3%
      Garrison, KY7508118.8%
      Otway, OH218217.8%
      New Boston, OH2,6577921.4%
      South Shore, KY1,2878119.5%
      Portsmouth, OH20,0948218.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pittsburg, KS20,0968019.8%
      East Northport, NY20,08515352.9%
      Dixon, CA20,10614040.1%
      La Cañada Flintridge, CA20,078298198.0%
      Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON20,111n/a 
      Portsmouth, OH20,0948218.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.