Do not live in Portsmouth itself with that salary.

My son’s girlfriend (recent environmental science graduate likely working a similar job as you) lives in Portsmouth with a roommate on $45K a year, but she’s always broke. Lol.

The apartment market is also very tight on the seacoast. Sometimes you’re battling with many others for a place. You must make 3 times the rent for most places to accept you.

My son lives in Dover. It’s a great area for young people and only a 25 minute drive to Portsmouth.