Franklin, NH vs Portsmouth, NH

The cost of living difference between Franklin, NH and Portsmouth, NH is dramatic. Franklin is 37.4% cheaper than Portsmouth, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Franklin has a cost index of 91 while Portsmouth sits at 145, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Franklin is $1,088/month compared to $1,778/month in Portsmouth — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Franklin is more affordable at $243,800 median vs $640,600.

Median household income in Franklin is $69,870 compared to $105,756 in Portsmouth (-33.9%). The higher salaries in Portsmouth partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Franklin spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 20.2% in Portsmouth.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.2°F vs 46.9°F). Portsmouth receives more rainfall at 47" per year compared to 42" in Franklin.