CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Dayton is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 11.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $89,100 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+85.8%
Dayton
72.7
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+6.6%
Dayton
93.6
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Dayton
103.9
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Dayton
94
Trenton
93
Utilities+17.7%
Dayton
95.4
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$89,100
$9,100 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.1133. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dayton, OH

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 85.8% higher housing costs compared to Dayton.

Income & Job Market

Dayton, OH

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
137,630
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareMilitaryEducationGovernment

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).

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.