Portsmouth, New Hampshire Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated September 03, 2023
Portsmouth Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating6.0
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Competition
9.2 -
Real Estate Cost
4.0 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
4.9 -
Rental Rates
6.0
Portsmouth, New Hampshire Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 21,956
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June to September
- County
- Rockingham
- Airports
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Want to learn more about Portsmouth?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Portsmouth rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Portsmouth rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Portsmouth.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Portsmouth guests.
Interested in other New Hampshire cities?
Check out the New Hampshire Airbnb rules directory
What makes Portsmouth a great place to invest?
- Scenic Beauty: Portsmouth is located on the Piscataqua River and is just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, offering visitors stunning waterfront views and a variety of outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and kayaking. The city's scenic beauty attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
- Historic Significance: Portsmouth is one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1623. It boasts well-preserved historic buildings, museums, and landmarks that draw history buffs and tourists from all over the world. The historic downtown area, with its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, is a particularly popular attraction.
- Proximity to Major Cities: Portsmouth's strategic location makes it an attractive destination for travelers. It is conveniently located just an hour's drive from major cities like Boston, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine, making it an ideal base for visitors looking to explore the broader New England region.
- Diverse Dining and Shopping Options: Portsmouth offers a wide range of dining and shopping options to suit all tastes and budgets. From gourmet restaurants serving fresh seafood to quaint boutiques offering unique local crafts, the city has something for everyone. This diversity makes it an appealing destination for foodies and shoppers alike.
- Year-Round Events: Portsmouth hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including music festivals, art shows, and maritime events. These events attract visitors from near and far, ensuring a steady demand for short-term rentals all year round.
Portsmouth Nearby Cities
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27 miles away
- Rating: 6.4
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32 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Portsmouth?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Portsmouth has increased 18% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $331, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$708,616
18% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$331
15% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,529
3% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Common terms for Portsmouth short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Portsmouth has a description approximately 1,285 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 117 listings in Portsmouth, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Portsmouth, Beautiful, Dover, Horse, Trail, Quiet, Farm, Family, Outdoor, and Main.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Portsmouth?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Portsmouth involve Outlet Shopping, Kayaking, Hiking, Boating, and Whale Watching. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Outlet Shopping
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Kayaking
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Hiking
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Boating
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Whale Watching
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Water Sports
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Water Parks
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Swimming
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Surfing
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Snow Skiing
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Museums
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Cross Country Skiing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Portsmouth, including Hampton Beach, Market Square, Water Country, Kittery Premium Outlets, and University of New Hampshire. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Market Square
Included on 82% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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The Music Hall
Included on 82% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Strawbery Banke Museum
Included on 82% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Water Country
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Portsmouth Brewery
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Kittery Premium Outlets
Included on 71% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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University of New Hampshire
Included on 65% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Included on 65% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Wallis Sands State Beach
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Wentworth by the Sea Golf Club
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Hampton Beach
Included on 47% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Jenness State Beach
Included on 47% of listings
What’s the weather like in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 57°, while the average low is about 42°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 38 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 41 inches per year. The humidity levels in Portsmouth are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
23° Low 37° High
Spring
March through May
39° Low 55° High
Summer
June through August
61° Low 77° High
Fall
September through November
45° Low 60° High
Cities Near Portsmouth
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is located in Rockingham County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
