1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Portsmouth, NH
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth, New Hampshire as of October 2026. That's +44% lower than the citywide median of $2,963 and +19% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Portsmouth
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Portsmouth
Compare Portsmouth's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in New Hampshire
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claremont | $1,020 |
| 2 | Laconia | $1,150 |
| 3 | Keene | $1,220 |
| 4 | Concord | $1,270 |
| 5 | Derry | $1,350 |
| 6 | Dover | $1,430 |
| 7 | Rochester | $1,430 |
| 8 | Somersworth | $1,430 |
| 9 | Salem | $1,460 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $1,550 |
| 11 | Manchester | $1,550 |
| 12 | Nashua | $1,600 |
| 13 | Newmarket | $1,600 |
| 14 | Hampton | $1,630 |
| 15 | Portsmouth (this page) | $1,660 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in New Hampshire
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedford | $2,170 |
| 2 | Exeter | $2,140 |
| 3 | Merrimack | $1,850 |
| 4 | Portsmouth (this page) | $1,660 |
| 5 | Hampton | $1,630 |
| 6 | Newmarket | $1,600 |
| 7 | Nashua | $1,600 |
| 8 | Manchester | $1,550 |
| 9 | Lebanon | $1,550 |
| 10 | Salem | $1,460 |
| 11 | Somersworth | $1,430 |
| 12 | Rochester | $1,430 |
| 13 | Dover | $1,430 |
| 14 | Derry | $1,350 |
| 15 | Concord | $1,270 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Portsmouth.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kittery, ME | 5.8 mi | $1,600 | $-60 (-4%) |
| Dover, NH | 9.8 mi | $1,430 | $-230 (-14%) |
| Newmarket, NH | 9.8 mi | $1,600 | $-60 (-4%) |
| Somersworth, NH | 13.6 mi | $1,430 | $-230 (-14%) |
| Exeter, NH | 14.2 mi | $2,140 | +$480 (+29%) |
| Amesbury, MA | 18.6 mi | $2,140 | +$480 (+29%) |
| Newburyport, MA | 19 mi | $2,140 | +$480 (+29%) |
| Rochester, NH | 20.2 mi | $1,430 | $-230 (-14%) |
| Sanford, ME | 24.1 mi | $1,210 | $-450 (-27%) |
| Gloucester, MA | 32.5 mi | $2,140 | +$480 (+29%) |
| Methuen, MA | 34.5 mi | $1,510 | $-150 (-9%) |
| Derry, NH | 34.9 mi | $1,350 | $-310 (-19%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Portsmouth — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Portsmouth, New Hampshire is $1,660 per month. This is +44% below the citywide median of $2,963.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Portsmouth?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $66,400 ($5,533/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portsmouth expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Portsmouth's 1-bedroom median of $1,660 is +19% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 67th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portsmouth rank for 1-bedroom rent in New Hampshire?
Among the 18 cities in New Hampshire with 1-bedroom data, Portsmouth ranks #15 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Portsmouth?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Kittery ($1,600), Dover ($1,430), Newmarket ($1,600).