CostIndexUSA

Newark, NJ vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is moderately cheaper than Newark — 8.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newark, you would need $73,300 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing9.1%
Newark
148.6
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries9.5%
Newark
110.3
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation7.5%
Newark
111.1
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare7.5%
Newark
100.5
Trenton
93
Utilities11.6%
Newark
127
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$73,300
$6,700 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9165. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Trenton, NJ

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

Newark has 9.1% lower housing costs compared to Trenton.

Income & Job Market

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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).

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.