Moving to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Kittery, Maine.
Also known as: PNSY, Kittery
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, on an island in the Piscataqua River at Kittery, Maine, overhauls the Navy’s attack submarines. Families PCSing here settle across the New Hampshire Seacoast in Portsmouth, Dover, and the Maine towns near Kittery, in a scenic coastal New England market where New Hampshire has no state income or sales tax.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
On-base housing is limited, so most families live off-base across the Seacoast. Portsmouth, New Hampshire is charming but pricey, Dover and Somersworth to the west offer more value, and the Maine towns of Kittery, Eliot, and York sit closest to the yard. New Hampshire has no state income or sales tax, though the Seacoast runs above the national average.
Where do military families live near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
Families PCSing to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard most often settle in Portsmouth, NH, Dover / Somersworth, NH, Kittery / Eliot / York, ME. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth, NH | $2,300-$3,100 | $550k-$750k | 5-15 min | Charming coastal city near the yard; pricey but convenient. |
| Dover / Somersworth, NH | $2,000-$2,700 | $450k-$600k | 15-25 min | More value to the west with good schools. |
| Kittery / Eliot / York, ME | $2,100-$2,900 | $500k-$700k | 5-15 min | Maine towns closest to the yard along the coast. |
Rent and home-price ranges are typical local market estimates as of 2026-07-19, not official listings. See our methodology.
How much is 2026 BAH at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is set by the NH194 (Portsmouth, NH/Kittery, ME) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $3,321 | $2,700 |
| E-7 | $3,975 | $3,108 |
| O-3 | $4,461 | $3,555 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Calculate BAH for any pay grade at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard →
See how Portsmouth Naval Shipyard ranks in the 2026 BAH rankings →
Get free quotes for your move to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Now that you know the numbers, line up movers, storage, auto transport, and insurance near Kittery. Free, no obligation.
Get my free quotesWhat schools are near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth High School | High | Portsmouth School Department | Portsmouth |
| Robert W. Traip Academy | High | Kittery School Department | Kittery |
| Dondero Elementary | Elementary | Portsmouth School Department | Portsmouth |
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard PCS FAQ
Where do most families live near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
Portsmouth, New Hampshire is charming and close to the yard but pricey. Dover and Somersworth to the west offer more value with good schools. The Maine towns of Kittery, Eliot, and York sit closest to the yard along the coast. New Hampshire has no state income or sales tax, a real budget factor.
Is the Seacoast expensive for military families?
It runs above the national average, as a desirable coastal New England area, though it is more affordable than Boston an hour south. New Hampshire’s lack of a state income and sales tax helps, and Dover and Somersworth offer the best value near the yard, while Portsmouth and the Maine coast cost more.
Related bases
Naval Station Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Air ForceHanscom Air Force Base
Bedford, Massachusetts
Side-by-side comparisons: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard vs Naval Station NewportPortsmouth Naval Shipyard vs Hanscom Air Force Base
More: Navy bases · Bases in Maine