Real Estate Investing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (03801)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 03801 (Portsmouth, NH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
No major risk flags on the data we track.
What’s happening in Portsmouth, NH (03801)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 03801 Portsmouth
This part of Rockingham County is not an easy win. The 03801 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.
For an experienced owner, 03801 can be a an appealing option for hunting ground — but the discount at $815K reflects genuine risk that outside investors often underestimate.
Nearby ZIPs in Portsmouth have seen price recovery that 03801 has not matched. Rockingham County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.
On the rental side, 23,231 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 03801 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Portsmouth:
Property Strategy for 03801
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $478,327 | $1,930 | 2.9% | +8.6% | $478,327 |
| 2BR | $589,758 | $2,520 | 3.1% | +8.2% | $294,879 |
| 3BR | $875,607 | $3,090 | 2.5% | +8.4% | $291,869 |
| 4BR | $1,111,601 | $3,380 | 2.2% | +9.4% | $277,900 |
| 5BR | $1,478,192 | — | — | +9.4% | $295,638 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 03801 Compare?
| Metric | 03801 | Portsmouth | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $814,666 | $814,666 | $496,656 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.7% | 6.7% | 9.6% |
| Avg Rent | $2,974 | $2,974 | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% | 2.9% | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 03801 (Portsmouth, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 03801 (Portsmouth, NH)?
~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $814,666 |
| Monthly Rent | $2,974 |
| Price-to-Rent | 22.8:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 4.4% |
| Cap Rate | 2.9% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.5% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +5.8% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +4.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.7% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | +6.7% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +6.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.9%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 03801
Population: 23,231
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon
We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.
Expected: Q1 2025
🎓 Schools in 03801
Schools in This ZIP Code
About Repit School Scores
Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.
We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:
- Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
- School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
- Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
- School Environment — Size, type, and structure
Scores are updated annually using federal education data.
🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities
Investor Insight: With 869 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical renter like in Portsmouth, NH?
Working renters make up the core of the Portsmouth, NH tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.
Does house hacking work in Portsmouth, NH?
Portsmouth, NH is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $815K price point reasonable to enter.
Are there empty rentals in Portsmouth, NH?
Portsmouth, NH vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.
How much rent can I charge in Portsmouth, NH?
Expect rents around $2,974/mo per month in Portsmouth, NH. With home values at $815K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.
How much does a house cost in Portsmouth, NH?
Expect median prices around $815K in Portsmouth, NH. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.
You know 03801 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 03801 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 03801 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.
AI Market Advisor
Ask questions about investing in 03801 (Portsmouth)
Community Ratings
What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.
Be the first to rate 03801 (Portsmouth, NH).
It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.