CostIndexUSA

Rochester, NY vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Rochester
97
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Rochester is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Rochester, you would need $85,100 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+54.4%
Rochester
87.5
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Rochester
99.7
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Rochester
102.6
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Rochester
92.9
Trenton
93
Utilities15.7%
Rochester
133.2
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$85,100
$5,100 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 97) = salary × 1.0639. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Rochester, NY

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
87.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 54.4% higher housing costs compared to Rochester.

Income & Job Market

Rochester, NY

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
211,328
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

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).

Rochester, NY
4.1×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.