Salary Needed to Live in Portsmouth as a Family
A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs approximately $173,179/year to live comfortably in Portsmouth, NH, including 15% savings.
Direct Answer
A family with kids needs about $173,179/year to live comfortably in Portsmouth, NH. The bare-minimum salary is $137,100/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 15% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $10,060.
The minimum scenario leaves about $8,226/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $14,432/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$173,179
with 15% savings
Bare Minimum
$137,100
$11,425/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$8,226
15% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Family in Portsmouth
| Expense | Portsmouth | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR Apartment/House Rent | $2,430 | $2,509 | -3% |
| Groceries | $735 | $528 | +39% |
| Utilities | $342 | $337 | +1% |
| Transportation | $733 | $526 | +39% |
| Car Insurance | $218 | $229 | -5% |
| Health Insurance | $786 | $690 | +14% |
| Childcare/After-school | $1,536 | $1,200 | +28% |
| Internet + Phones | $230 | $180 | +28% |
| Children Activities | $320 | $250 | +28% |
| Dining Out | $448 | $350 | +28% |
| School Supplies & Clothing | $256 | $200 | +28% |
| Healthcare Co-pays | $192 | $150 | +28% |
| Total Monthly | $8,226 | $7,149 | +15% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$8,226
Target savings (15%):$1,834/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$10,060
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$173,179
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$2,430
3BR Apartment/House rent is 30% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus NH state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
15%
$1,834/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
128/100
Portsmouth is well above the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 3br apartment/house housing near $2,430/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $2,982/mo for persona-specific costs such as Childcare/After-school and Internet + Phones.
- Use $137,100/year as the survival floor and $173,179/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Portsmouth
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a family with kids need in Portsmouth?
A family with kids needs approximately $173,179/year ($14,432/month gross) to live comfortably in Portsmouth with a 15% savings rate.
How much is rent for a family with kids in Portsmouth?
A 3br apartment/house in Portsmouth costs approximately $2,430/month, which is the largest single expense at 30% of the total budget.
Is Portsmouth affordable for a family with kids?
Portsmouth is above the national average for family with kids living costs, requiring 15% more salary than the US median.