CostIndexUSA

San Jose, CA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is moderately cheaper than San Jose — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Jose, you would need $74,800 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing36.2%
San Jose
211.9
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries5.1%
San Jose
105.2
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation2.4%
San Jose
105.3
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare2.4%
San Jose
95.3
Trenton
93
Utilities28.3%
San Jose
156.7
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 110.4) = salary × 0.9348. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

Trenton, NJ

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

San Jose has 36.2% lower housing costs compared to Trenton.

Income & Job Market

San Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

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).

San Jose, CA
3.8×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.