Portsmouth, VA vs Suffolk, VA

Portsmouth is moderately more affordable than Suffolk, with a 14% lower cost of living index. Portsmouth scores 91 compared to 106 for Suffolk, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Suffolk can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Portsmouth is $1,266/month compared to $1,484/month in Suffolk — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Portsmouth is more affordable at $229,400 median vs $329,600.

Median household income in Portsmouth is $58,972 compared to $90,089 in Suffolk (-34.5%). While Suffolk is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Portsmouth spend roughly 25.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Suffolk.