CostIndexUSA

Lakeland, FL vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableFL
Lakeland
97.1
overall index
$1,825/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Lakeland is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 6.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lakeland, you would need $85,000 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+40.9%
Lakeland
95.9
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+3.7%
Lakeland
96.2
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Lakeland
103.8
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Lakeland
93.9
Trenton
93
Utilities+29.2%
Lakeland
86.9
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$85,000
$5,000 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 97.1) = salary × 1.0628. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lakeland, FL

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,825
Housing Index
95.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 40.9% higher housing costs compared to Lakeland.

Income & Job Market

Lakeland, FL

Median Household Income
$66,900
Per Capita Income
$38,100
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
119,428
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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).

Lakeland, FL
3.1×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.