Can A Dental Assistant Afford Rent in Portsmouth, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 80.3% of gross income.
Portsmouth rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island state estimate).
About rent and a dental assistant salary
Dental assistant pay sits near the US median household income. At the national-average dental-assistant salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,214 a month in rent, which is achievable in most lower- and mid-cost metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Portsmouth, which improves the affordability math on a dental assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portsmouth
View full rent data for Portsmouth, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a dental assistant afford rent in Portsmouth, RI?
Median rent in Portsmouth is $3,378 a month. A typical dental assistant in Rhode Island earns about $50,502 a year, which makes that rent 80.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a dental assistant afford in Portsmouth?
Using the 30% rule, a dental assistant salary in Rhode Island (~$50,502/yr) supports up to $1,263 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $3,378/mo, which is $2,115/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a dental assistant work to cover rent in Portsmouth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a dental assistant in Rhode Island works roughly 139.1 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $3,378.
Where is rent cheaper than Portsmouth for a dental assistant?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Newport ($3,284/mo), Newport ($3,281/mo), Middletown ($3,229/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental assistant salary.