Portsmouth, VA, known as 'The Seaport City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Hampton Roads, Portsmouth is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Norfolk (4 miles) and Virginia Beach (20 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Portsmouth's blend of scenic waterfronts, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Portsmouth is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, the historic Commodore Theatre, and the scenic Paradise Creek Nature Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Children's Museum of Virginia to the bustling Olde Towne Portsmouth, known for its historic charm and dining options. Portsmouth's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Umoja Festival and the Seawall Music Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Portsmouth's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Tidewater Community College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Portsmouth is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center and the Willett Hall are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Portsmouth provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Portsmouth’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Norfolk Tides (baseball) and the Norfolk Admirals (hockey) in nearby Norfolk, providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Portsmouth include healthcare, education, and maritime, with significant employers such as Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center and Portsmouth Public Schools driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and ferries, making commuting convenient and accessible...
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Portsmouth, Virginia is a moderately-sized city with a population of 94,961 residents. Individuals of White (39%) and Black or African American (53%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 46% of the Portsmouth population is married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Portsmouth your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Portsmouth can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Virginia, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Portsmouth and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Portsmouth to Virginia and the national average.
Portsmouth, VA receives 72 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #168 in Virginia and #4,786 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Portsmouth has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (A+), cost of living (A-), education (B) and housing (B). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Portsmouth. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: crime (F).
Portsmouth has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Portsmouth has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Children's Museum of Virginia, Commodore Theater, and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Portsmouth have an average test score of 71%, which is well above the US average.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Portsmouth market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Portsmouth real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Portsmouth. Median real estate prices in Portsmouth come in at $174,200, which is 29.9% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Portsmouth, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 13.2% lower than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Portsmouth | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.6% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.7% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.1% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.1% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.2% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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