Moving from Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD to Trenton, NJ
About 3,731 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 6,493 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Trenton, NJ.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 23.9% of income in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD and 21.0% in Trenton, NJ.
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD Trenton, NJ (monthly)
| Monthly | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Trenton, NJ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,395 | $1,227 | −$167 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $179 | $193 | +$14 |
| Unemployment Compensation (UC) – employee2026 tax law | $4 | $0 | −$4 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Philadelphia. | $218 | $0 | −$218 |
| Unemployment Insurance (UI) – employee (private employer)2026 tax law | $0 | $14 | +$14 |
| Disability Insurance / Temporary Disability (DI/TDI) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $11 | +$11 |
| Workforce Development / Supplemental Workforce Fund (WF/SWF) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $2 | +$2 |
| Family Leave Insurance (FLI) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $13 | +$13 |
| Take-home pay | $4,439 | $4,606 | +$167 |
| Housing | $1,558 | $1,764 | +$206 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,558 | $1,764 | +$206 |
| Food | $427 | $440 | +$13 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 99.8 | $427 | $440 | +$13 |
| Transportation | $175 | $175 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.36/gal (Central Atlantic (PADD)) | $175 | $175 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $33 | +$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.625% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $33 | +$4 |
| Other goods & services | $999 | $989 | −$11 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 99.8 | $484 | $499 | +$15 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 97.9 | $515 | $490 | −$26 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,251 | $1,206 | −$45 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 19.2% of income in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD and 16.1% in Trenton, NJ.
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD Trenton, NJ (monthly)
| Monthly | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Trenton, NJ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,923 | $1,607 | −$316 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $307 | $298 | −$9 |
| Unemployment Compensation (UC) – employee2026 tax law | $7 | $0 | −$7 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Philadelphia. | $374 | $0 | −$374 |
| Unemployment Insurance (UI) – employee (private employer)2026 tax law | $0 | $29 | +$29 |
| Disability Insurance / Temporary Disability (DI/TDI) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $19 | +$19 |
| Workforce Development / Supplemental Workforce Fund (WF/SWF) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $3 | +$3 |
| Family Leave Insurance (FLI) – employee2026 tax law | $0 | $23 | +$23 |
| Take-home pay | $8,078 | $8,393 | +$316 |
| Housing | $1,860 | $2,242 | +$382 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,860 | $2,242 | +$382 |
| Childcare | $2,047 | $2,303 | +$256 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2020 / DOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $286/wk, school-age $148/wk (2022 prices, Mercer County, NJ); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,047 | $2,303 | +$256 |
| Food | $1,242 | $1,280 | +$38 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 99.8 | $1,242 | $1,280 | +$38 |
| Transportation | $349 | $349 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.36/gal (Central Atlantic (PADD)) | $349 | $349 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $29 | $33 | +$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.625% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $29 | $33 | +$4 |
| Other goods & services | $999 | $989 | −$11 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 99.8 | $484 | $499 | +$15 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 97.9 | $515 | $490 | −$26 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,551 | $1,197 | −$353 |
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD vs Trenton, NJ at a glance
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Trenton, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 102.6 | 103.2 |
| Housing price level | 113.1 | 135.1 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,558 | $1,764 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,860 | $2,242 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,216 | $2,741 |
| Median home value | $351,900 | $377,700 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.44% | 2.36% |
| Median household income | $91,289 | $100,645 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $235 (2020 price) | $294 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | Philadelphia | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6% | 6.625% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.36 | $4.36 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $162 | $151 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Trenton, NJ to keep my Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, about $70,835 in Trenton, NJ (+1.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $125,695. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Trenton, NJ cheaper than Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Trenton, NJ is at 103.2 and Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD at 102.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$45 a month in Trenton, NJ.
How many people move from Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD to Trenton, NJ?+
About 3,731 people a year (±635), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 6,493 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.