CostIndexUSA

Irvine, CA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Irvine
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is moderately cheaper than Irvine — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $72,700 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing20.7%
Irvine
170.4
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Irvine
106.6
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation6.2%
Irvine
109.6
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare6.2%
Irvine
99.1
Trenton
93
Utilities29.2%
Irvine
158.6
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9085. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Trenton, NJ

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

Irvine has 20.7% lower housing costs compared to Trenton.

Income & Job Market

Irvine, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
307,670
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationReal Estate

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).

Irvine, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.