CostIndexUSA

San Luis Obispo, CA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is moderately cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Luis Obispo, you would need $76,000 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.4%
San Luis Obispo
144.4
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries5.1%
San Luis Obispo
105.2
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation2.4%
San Luis Obispo
105.3
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare2.4%
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Trenton
93
Utilities24.0%
San Luis Obispo
147.8
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$76,000
$4,000 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 108.6) = salary × 0.9503. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Home Price
$880,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,000
Housing Index
144.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4×

Trenton, NJ

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

San Luis Obispo has 6.4% lower housing costs compared to Trenton.

Income & Job Market

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Household Income
$90,700
Per Capita Income
$51,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
47,536
Top Industries
EducationTourismAgricultureHealthcareTechnology

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 Luis Obispo, CA
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

60% 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.