The $100,000 Salary Analysis for Portsmouth, NH

This guide assumes a $100,000 annual gross salary. We will calculate your actual take-home pay and determine its purchasing power in Portsmouth, a high-cost coastal city. No assumptions about bonuses or raises—just the raw numbers.

1. The Verification Test: Gross vs. Net

Your $100,000 salary is not what you spend. It is subject to immediate deductions at the source.

• Federal Tax: Estimated at ~$14,000 (assuming Single Filer, Standard Deduction).
• FICA (Social Security/Medicare): $7,650 (fixed rate on wages).
• New Hampshire State Tax: $0. NH does not tax regular wages (it taxes interest/dividends only).
• Estimated Net Pay (Annual): ~$78,350
• Estimated Net Pay (Monthly): ~$6,529

Analysis: You are losing roughly 22% of your gross income immediately to federal obligations.

2. Smart Budget (50/30/20 Rule)

Using your monthly net of $6,529, here is how the standard budgeting rule applies to Portsmouth reality.

• Needs (50%): $3,264

  • Rent (1BR Avg): $1,582
  • Utilities (Electric/Heat/Internet): ~$250
  • Groceries: ~$400
  • Car/Renter's Insurance: ~$150
  • Remaining for gas, maintenance, or debt: ~$882

• Wants (30%): $1,958

  • Dining out, entertainment, and discretionary spending in downtown Portsmouth. This budget allows for a social life, but a single high-end dinner out will significantly impact this monthly allowance.

• Savings (20%): $1,305

  • This is your buffer for an emergency fund or retirement contributions outside of a workplace plan.

Analysis: The $1,582 rent consumes 24% of your monthly net pay. While under the 30% threshold, it leaves little room for error. If you have student loans or a car payment, the "Needs" category will likely exceed 50%, forcing you to dip into savings.

3. Portsmouth Tax Context

New Hampshire is an anomaly. It functions like a "low-tax" state regarding income, but it is not a "low-cost" state.

• Vs. Texas/Florida: There is effectively $0 difference regarding income tax. However, property taxes in NH are significantly higher than in TX/FL to compensate for the lack of sales tax.
• Vs. California/NY: You are saving approximately $6,000–$8,000 annually by avoiding state income tax compared to these high-tax states. However, Portsmouth rent is often comparable to mid-tier California cities, meaning you do not realize the full benefit of that tax savings.

The Trade-off: You pay $0 income tax, but you pay a "Sunshine Tax" (coastal premium) on housing.

4. FAQ

"Is $100k good here?"
It is a survival salary, not a wealth-building salary. $100k allows you to live alone in a 1BR apartment and participate in the local economy, but you will not save aggressively for a down payment on a house in Portsmouth on this single income. You need $130k+ to feel "comfortable."

"Local income tax?"
None. Portsmouth does not levy a local income tax. Your paycheck is safe from city-level withholding, but your landlord is likely charging you a premium because of it.