2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Portsmouth, NH
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth, New Hampshire as of October 2026. That's +27% lower than the citywide median of $2,963 and +30% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in New Hampshire
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claremont | $1,340 |
| 2 | Laconia | $1,440 |
| 3 | Keene | $1,600 |
| 4 | Concord | $1,670 |
| 5 | Derry | $1,770 |
| 6 | Rochester | $1,810 |
| 7 | Somersworth | $1,810 |
| 8 | Dover | $1,820 |
| 9 | Salem | $1,920 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $2,030 |
| 11 | Manchester | $2,030 |
| 12 | Newmarket | $2,070 |
| 13 | Nashua | $2,100 |
| 14 | Hampton | $2,110 |
| 15 | Portsmouth (this page) | $2,150 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in New Hampshire
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedford | $2,850 |
| 2 | Exeter | $2,550 |
| 3 | Merrimack | $2,430 |
| 4 | Portsmouth (this page) | $2,150 |
| 5 | Hampton | $2,110 |
| 6 | Nashua | $2,100 |
| 7 | Newmarket | $2,070 |
| 8 | Manchester | $2,030 |
| 9 | Lebanon | $2,030 |
| 10 | Salem | $1,920 |
| 11 | Dover | $1,820 |
| 12 | Somersworth | $1,810 |
| 13 | Rochester | $1,810 |
| 14 | Derry | $1,770 |
| 15 | Concord | $1,670 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Portsmouth.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kittery, ME | 5.8 mi | $2,060 | $-90 (-4%) |
| Dover, NH | 9.8 mi | $1,820 | $-330 (-15%) |
| Newmarket, NH | 9.8 mi | $2,070 | $-80 (-4%) |
| Somersworth, NH | 13.6 mi | $1,810 | $-340 (-16%) |
| Exeter, NH | 14.2 mi | $2,550 | +$400 (+19%) |
| Amesbury, MA | 18.6 mi | $2,550 | +$400 (+19%) |
| Newburyport, MA | 19 mi | $2,550 | +$400 (+19%) |
| Rochester, NH | 20.2 mi | $1,810 | $-340 (-16%) |
| Sanford, ME | 24.1 mi | $1,490 | $-660 (-31%) |
| Gloucester, MA | 32.5 mi | $2,550 | +$400 (+19%) |
| Methuen, MA | 34.5 mi | $1,980 | $-170 (-8%) |
| Derry, NH | 34.9 mi | $1,770 | $-380 (-18%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Portsmouth — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Portsmouth?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Portsmouth, New Hampshire is $2,150 per month. This is +27% below the citywide median of $2,963.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Portsmouth?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $86,000 ($7,167/month gross), which works out to roughly $41.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Portsmouth expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Portsmouth's 2-bedroom median of $2,150 is +30% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 75th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Portsmouth rank for 2-bedroom rent in New Hampshire?
Among the 18 cities in New Hampshire with 2-bedroom data, Portsmouth ranks #15 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Portsmouth?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Kittery ($2,060), Dover ($1,820), Newmarket ($2,070).