Living in Portsmouth City, Virginia

Olde Towne's historic district and the Naval Medical Center, with Norfolk Naval Shipyard, one of the oldest in the country, on the Elizabeth River.

See what you can afford in Portsmouth City →

Housing market

The median sale price in Portsmouth City is $200,000, with most homes between $148,000 and $254,000.

Commute & how people work

About 9% of Portsmouth City workers work from home and the typical commute runs 24 min.

How long the commute is, share of commuters

How people get to work, share of workers

Check drive times from a specific address →

Compare commutes across Hampton Roads →

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2024). County-wide figures, not a specific address.

Schools

Portsmouth City Public Schools reports a 89% on-time graduation rate, with 58% passing Math and 60% passing Reading on Virginia SOL assessments (VDOE School Quality Profile).

Before you choose an address

• Which school is assigned to this exact address today?
• Are there specialty, magnet, or transfer programs with separate deadlines?
• What is the real commute or bus time during morning drop-off?
• Confirm attendance zone and enrollment steps before relying on listing copy.

Check a specific address for nearby schools, commute, and services →

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Amenities & walkability

Within a few miles you'll find about 0 restaurants & cafes and 0 grocery stores. The town center is car-dependent (0 walkable spots within a mile). Counts from OpenStreetMap.

Local businesses

Use this as a daily-life snapshot: grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, and everyday places that help you picture a normal week in Portsmouth City. Owner-approved details appear when available.

Grocery & markets

• ALDI, 4107 Portsmouth Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Harris Teeter, 1320 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
• Kroger, 1017 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23435
• The Fresh Market, 855 West 21st Street, Norfolk 23517
• Walmart Supercenter, 1098 Frederick Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23707
• Grocery Outlet, 5914 High Street West, Portsmouth, VA 23703

Restaurants

• Arby's, 2417 Taylor Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
  TakeoutCuisine: Sandwiches
• Billy D's Seafood & Chicken, 3205 Stamford Road, Portsmouth, VA 23703
  Cuisine: ChickenCuisine: Seafood
• Bojangles', 3927 Victory Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
  TakeoutCuisine: Chicken
• Burger King, 3140 Western Branch Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321-5517
  TakeoutDeliveryCuisine: Burgers
• Chipotle, 6216 College Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435
  TakeoutCuisine: Mexican
• Church's Chicken, 350 Effingham Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
  TakeoutCuisine: Chicken

Cafes & coffee

• Starbucks, 141 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
  TakeoutCuisine: Coffee
• Catnip Cat Cafe, 1611-B Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
• JoJack's Espresso Bar & Cafe, 5700 Churchland Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23703
• Cafe Stella, 1907 Colonial Avenue
  Cuisine: BreakfastCuisine: Sandwiches
• Cure Coffeehouse, Botetourt Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
  Outdoor seatingCuisine: Coffee
• Urban Ice, 2860 Airline Boulevard

Bakeries

• Crave Bakery + Coffee Bar, 200 College Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
• Nothing Bundt Cakes, 1200 West 25th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508
• La Brioche Norfolk, 1415 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
• Flowers Bakery Outlet, 3500 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• May's Parlor, 340 West 22nd Street, Norfolk 23517
• Mr Yummy Buns, 4045 Belvedere Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Bars & breweries

• Baron’s Pub & Restaurant, 500 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
• Baxters Sports Lounge, 500 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
• Brick Anchor Brew-House, 241 Granby Street
• The Taphouse in Ghent, 931 West 21st Street, Norfolk 23517
• 37th & Zen, 1083 West 37th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508
• Culture Lounge, 814 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

Shops & retail

• Best Buy, 4107 Portsmouth Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Book Nook, 4934 High Street West, Portsmouth, VA 23703
• Burlington, 6253 College Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Dick's Sporting Goods, 6253 College Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Dollar General, Norfolk, VA 23517-1144
• Dollar Tree, 3146 Western Branch Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Health & medical

• Lovell Family Dentistry, Pc, 5717 Churchland Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23703
• LensCrafters, 1013 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23435
• American Family Care Urgent Care, 1013 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Animal Hospital at Chesapeake Square, 4020 Portsmouth Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Aspen Dental, 1013 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Bermisa & Bermisa MD, 110 American Legion Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Pharmacies

• Bedei Compounding Pharmacy Services, 3921 Poplar Hill Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Rite Aid, 525 West 21st Street, Norfolk 23517
• CVS Pharmacy
• Walgreens

Gyms & fitness

• Anytime Fitness, 780 West 20th Street, Norfolk, VA 23517
• Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA, 312 West Bute Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
• Fine Lines Personal Training, 6546 Hampton Roads Parkway, Suffolk, VA 23435
• LeMans Karting, 2882 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• StretchLab, 1225 West 25th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508
• Effingham Street Family YMCA, 1013 Effingham Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Personal care

• Great Clips, 2000 Unit 11 Colonial Avenue
• Milan Laser Hair Removal, 2401 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23517
• Salon Fringe, 212 East Plume Street
• The Mobile Way Barbering Service, 3819 Peachtree Ln W, Portsmouth, VA 23703
• Ulta Beauty, 1011 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Colleywood Cuts, +1-757-763-6307

Hotels & lodging

• Courtyard Norfolk Downtown, 520 Plume Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
• Residence Inn Norfolk Downtown, 227 West Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510
• Sleep Inn, 3280 Western Branch Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Budget Lodge, 3244 Western Branch Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Comfort Inn Olde Town, 347 Effingham Street, Portsmouth, VA
• Economy 7 Inn, 3216 Churchland Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321

Banks

• Chase, 777 West 21st Street, Norfolk 23517
• Bank of America, 6207 College Drive, Suffolk 23435
• ABNB Federal Credit Union, 309 County Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
• Bank of Hampton Roads, West 21st Street, Norfolk 23517
• Bayport Credit Union, 1013 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Chartway Federal Credit Union, Chesapeake

Hardware & home

• East Coast Water Quality, 3400 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• Lowe's, 4040 Victory Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• The Home Depot, 2421 Old Taylor Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Churchland Hardware, 3939 Poplar Hill Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Land & Coates, 5808 Churchland Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23703
• R.E. Michel Company, 3432 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701

Auto services

• Baucom's Auto Service Inc, 1205 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23707
• Caliber Collision, 2615 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• Crash Champions Portsmouth, 3310 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• Discount Tire, 6204 College Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, 1003 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA 23435
• Fantom Works, 2400 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23517

Churches & faith communities

• Dominion COGIC, 2809 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
  Pentecostal
• Saint John's Episcopal Church, 424 Washington Street
  Episcopal
• Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1600 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
  Presbyterian
• Truth Transformation, 3401 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703
• Saint Paul CME, 310 East Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23510
  Methodist
• Olive Branch Baptist Church, 2608 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
  Baptist

Other services

• Stop N Wash, 3311 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• Wash Land, 2801 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• Mr. Cleaners, 738-6 West 22nd Street
• Zoots Dry Cleaners, 4101 Portsmouth Boulevard, Chesapeake 23321
• Copy Connection
• The UPS Store

Gas stations

• Kroger
• 7-Eleven, 3445 Western Branch Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• bp, 800 East Brambleton Avenue
• Citgo, 4005 Portsmouth Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Exxon, 770 Boush Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
• Miller's, 1200 Monticello Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510

Convenience stores

• Wawa, 3408 Western Branch Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321
• Gent Grab & Go, 230 West Olney Road, Norfolk, VA 23510
• Joe's Kwik Mart, 3601 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• Miller's, 800 East Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504
• Tinee Giant, 2722 Airline Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
• 7-Eleven, 770 Boush Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

Browse the full Portsmouth City directory, search businesses, parks & employers →

Business listings start from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) and public local directories; owner-approved updates appear after review. Own or manage one? Claim or add your listing.

Major employers & institutions

The biggest workplaces in and around Portsmouth City: the universities, hospitals, plants, and offices that anchor the local economy.

Universities

• Norfolk State University
• Old Dominion University

Colleges & training

• Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Joint Armed Forces Staff College
• Tidewater Community College - Center for Workforce Solutions
• Tidewater Community College - Norfolk Campus
• Tidewater Community College - Portsmouth Campus
• Tidewater Community College - Tri-Cities Center

Hospitals & health systems

• American Family Care Urgent Care
• Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View
• Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
• Chesapeake Health Clinic
• Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
• Childrens Tower
• Concentra Urgent Care
• DaVita Dialysis

Manufacturing & factories

• Atlantic Metrocast, Inc.
• Lyon Shipyard
• Mid Atlantic Coatings Factory
• Portsmouth Terminal Facility
• US Amines

Government & public sector

• City Hall Complex
• Elizabeth River Trail
• Granby Municipal Building
• JRIC Norfolk
• Maritime Operations Center
• Marketing / Parks, Rec & General Services
• National Geodetic Survey - Field Operations
• NATO Allied Command Transformation

Major employers & offices

• ABF Freight
• Alfa-Laval Separation
• American Neighborhood Housing
• Bay Diesel
• B&C Construction
• Beacham & Associates
• Beta Systems
• Blue Ridge Equipment Co

Business & industrial parks

• Acclaimed Tent, Party, and Inflatable Game Rentals
• APM Terminal
• BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair
• Bench Top Brewery
• Buoy Yard
• Cavalier Industrial Park
• Center Point Terminal
• Colonna's Shipyard

A starting list of the area's largest workplaces, compiled from public sources and OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

By the numbers

Cost of living

Who lives here

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Risk

Source: FEMA NFHL (approx, area-weighted)

Frequently asked questions

How much do homes cost in Portsmouth City?

The median sale price in Portsmouth City is $200,000, with most homes between $148,000 and $254,000.

What are property taxes like in Portsmouth City?

Portsmouth City's real-estate tax rate is about $1.23 per $100 of assessed value (roughly 1.23% a year).

How are the schools in Portsmouth City?

Portsmouth City Public Schools reports a 89% on-time graduation rate, with 58% passing Math and 60% passing Reading on Virginia SOL assessments.

How long is the commute in Portsmouth City?

The average commute for Portsmouth City workers is about 24 minutes, and 44% get to work in under 20 minutes. County-wide Census figures, not a specific address.

Can I work remotely from Portsmouth City?

About 9% of Portsmouth City workers already work from home.

Nearby area guides

Keep exploring Hampton Roads with nearby area guides.

Moving from out of state?

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Sources and freshnessLast rebuilt 2026-09-14 with public records and source notes for Living in Portsmouth City.

• Last rebuilt 2026-09-14 from the latest records synced into this guide.
• Home-price medians use 8,118 recorded public sale rows across 1 area.
• Property and tax figures come from county/city parcel, sales, and assessor records.
• School metrics use Virginia Department of Education profiles when available.
• Amenity and business counts use OpenStreetMap, so hours and listings can change.
• Jobs, events, news, and business-directory layers are included only after their feeds or curated sources sync.
• Use these figures as planning estimates, then verify taxes, listings, and school details before making an offer.

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