Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Portsmouth, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.6% of gross income.
Portsmouth rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Portsmouth, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portsmouth
View full rent data for Portsmouth, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Portsmouth, VA?
Median rent in Portsmouth is $1,642 a month. A typical pharmacist in Virginia earns about $135,405 a year, which makes that rent 14.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Portsmouth?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Virginia (~$135,405/yr) supports up to $3,385 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $1,642/mo, which leaves a $1,743/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Portsmouth?
At an hourly equivalent of about $65 an hour, a pharmacist in Virginia works roughly 25.2 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $1,642.
Where is rent cheaper than Portsmouth for a pharmacist?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Bellwood ($1,639/mo), Norfolk ($1,638/mo), Highland Springs ($1,638/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.