Cost of Living in Portsmouth
South East
City
Hampshire, EnglandPopulation: 215,000
Average House Price
£363.8k
+25% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£37,565
-4% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,256/mo
+5% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,163Band D / yr
Energy£146/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£33.00/ mo
Bus Pass£76.03/ mo
House Prices in Portsmouth
+1.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£363,840
Detached£566,400
Semi-detached£360,000
Terraced£302,400
Flat / Apartment£225,600
House prices in Portsmouth have increased by +1.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Portsmouth
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£37,565
Mean£42,588
Median hourly rate£18.06/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£25,662
Upper quartile (75th)£50,505
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-3.8%
£1,474 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Portsmouth
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Portsmouth each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,256 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £180 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £146 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £33.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £196 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £300 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £160 |
| Estimated Total | £2,306 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Portsmouth
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£76.03
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.51
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£196
Compare Portsmouth with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Portsmouth stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Portsmouth
- What is the average house price in Portsmouth?
- The average house price in Portsmouth is £363,840, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £566,400, while flats and apartments average £225,600. Prices have risen by +1.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Portsmouth?
- The median annual salary in Portsmouth is £37,565, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £1,474 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £25,662 (lower quartile) to £50,505 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Portsmouth?
- Average monthly rent in Portsmouth is £1,256 per month. Rents have increased by +3.5% over the past year.
- Is Portsmouth an affordable place to live?
- Portsmouth is expensive relative to local earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 40% of the median monthly income, significantly above the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £1,256, while the median annual salary is £37,565 (approximately £3,130 per month before tax).
- How does Portsmouth compare to London?
- The average house price in Portsmouth is £363,840, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Portsmouth costs around 66% of London prices, making it £187,160 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,256 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Portsmouth?
- House prices in Portsmouth are currently rising, with a +1.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £363,840 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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