CostIndexUSA

Salem, OR vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostOR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,675/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Salem and Trenton have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+22.5%
Salem
110.3
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries5.2%
Salem
105.3
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation2.4%
Salem
105.3
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare2.4%
Salem
95.3
Trenton
93
Utilities+7.3%
Salem
104.7
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$79,700
$300 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9961. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 22.5% higher housing costs compared to Salem.

Income & Job Market

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$74,600
Per Capita Income
$42,500
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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).

Salem, OR
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.