CostIndexUSA

Pittsburgh, PA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Pittsburgh
94.7
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Pittsburgh is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 9.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Pittsburgh, you would need $87,200 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+87.6%
Pittsburgh
72
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries0.9%
Pittsburgh
100.7
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Pittsburgh
102.6
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Pittsburgh
92.8
Trenton
93
Utilities+4.3%
Pittsburgh
107.7
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$87,200
$7,200 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 94.7) = salary × 1.0898. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Home Price
$218,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
72
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 87.6% higher housing costs compared to Pittsburgh.

Income & Job Market

Pittsburgh, PA

Median Household Income
$72,500
Per Capita Income
$41,300
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
302,971
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Pittsburgh, PA
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.