CostIndexUSA

Allentown, PA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Allentown
100
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Allentown is slightly cheaper than Trenton — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $82,600 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+28.1%
Allentown
105.5
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries0.8%
Allentown
100.6
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Allentown
102.6
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Allentown
92.9
Trenton
93
Utilities+4.4%
Allentown
107.6
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Allentown to see what you'd need to earn in Trenton to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$82,600
$2,600 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 100) = salary × 1.0320. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Allentown, PA

Median Home Price
$349,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Trenton, NJ

Median Home Price
$434,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,450
Housing Index
135.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Trenton has 28.1% higher housing costs compared to Allentown.

Income & Job Market

Allentown, PA

Median Household Income
$81,200
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
125,845
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailLogisticsFinance

Trenton, NJ

Median Household Income
$96,200
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
90,871
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Allentown, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Trenton, NJ
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.