Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Portsmouth, NH?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.2% of gross income.
Portsmouth rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Hampshire state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Hampshire cities have lower median rent than Portsmouth, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portsmouth
View full rent data for Portsmouth, NH →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Portsmouth, NH?
Median rent in Portsmouth is $2,920 a month. A typical firefighter in New Hampshire earns about $64,694 a year, which makes that rent 54.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Portsmouth?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New Hampshire (~$64,694/yr) supports up to $1,617 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $2,920/mo, which is $1,303/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Portsmouth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in New Hampshire works roughly 93.9 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $2,920.
Where is rent cheaper than Portsmouth for a firefighter?
Nearby New Hampshire cities with lower median rent include Bedford ($2,908/mo), Bedford ($2,899/mo), Salem ($2,895/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.