CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is slightly cheaper than Baltimore — 1.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $79,000 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+14.3%
Baltimore
118.2
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries2.5%
Baltimore
102.4
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Baltimore
106.6
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Baltimore
96.4
Trenton
93
Utilities+1.9%
Baltimore
110.2
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$79,000
$1,000 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9876. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 14.3% higher housing costs compared to Baltimore.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.