Cost of living in Trenton, NJ
399,289 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 3.2% above the US average, with housing at 135.1 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $615 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Trenton, NJ
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2022 childcare prices for Mercer County, NJ in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $100,645 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $8,387 |
| Taxes | $985 | $1,584 | $1,193 |
| Take-home pay | $4,015 | $7,583 | $7,195 |
| Housing | $1,764 | $2,242 | $2,242 |
| Childcare | $0 | $1,517 | $2,303 |
| Food | $440 | $986 | $1,280 |
| Transportation | $175 | $349 | $349 |
| Sales tax | $33 | $33 | $33 |
| Other goods & services | $989 | $989 | $989 |
| Left over | $615 | $1,467 | −$1 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($100,645). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Trenton, NJ vs New Jersey and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with New Jersey statewide (light).
Within New Jersey, Trenton, NJ ranks 1st of 3 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 108.8. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,561 | $62,440 | 18.6% |
| 1-bedroom | $1,764 | $70,560 | 21.0% |
| 2-bedroom | $2,242 | $89,680 | 26.7% |
| 3-bedroom | $2,741 | $109,640 | 32.7% |
| 4-bedroom | $3,081 | $123,240 | 36.7% |
FY2027 FMRs for Trenton-Princeton, NJ MSA: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $1,623 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Mercer County, NJ
| Age band | Center, weekly (2022) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2022) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $294 | $18,696 | $192 | $12,193 |
| Toddler (2) | $286 | $18,209 | $198 | $12,574 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $286 | $18,209 | $185 | $11,787 |
| School-age (5–12) | $148 | $9,427 | $162 | $10,277 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 county medians for full-time care in Mercer County, NJ (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2224, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2022 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Trenton
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| New Jersey income tax | $1,215 | $2,596 | $5,454 |
| New Jersey payroll taxes | $400 | $505 | $694 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,395 | $4,874 | $7,258 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 18.5% | 22.0% | 27.4% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Trenton in our data. State sales tax: 6.625% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | — | 103.2 | $2,242 | $615 |
| Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD · compare | 25 mi | 102.6 | $1,860 | $668 (+$53) |
| Allentown, PA-NJ · compare | 45 mi | 100.0 | $1,839 | $884 (+$269) |
| New York, NY-NJ · compare | 53 mi | 112.6 | $2,971 | −$695 (−$1,311) |
| Vineland, NJ · compare | 54 mi | 96.0 | $1,704 | $959 (+$344) |
| Atlantic City, NJ · compare | 61 mi | 98.9 | $1,899 | $812 (+$197) |
| Reading, PA · compare | 62 mi | 97.1 | $1,418 | $1,288 (+$673) |
Common moves to and from Trenton, NJ
Census ACS metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020), people who moved in a year.
- New York, NY-NJ7,208
- Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD6,493
- New York, NY-NJ12,735
- Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD3,731
Frequently asked questions
Is Trenton, NJ expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Trenton, NJ metro at 103.2 (US = 100) in 2024 — 3.2% above the national average and the 47th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 135.1, goods 99.8.
What salary do you need to live in Trenton, NJ?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,015 a month after 2026 taxes and has $615 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Trenton, NJ?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $1,764 for a 1-bedroom and $2,242 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $1,623.
Does Trenton have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Trenton in our 2026 data. New Jersey state income tax does apply.