CICostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$2,000/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Abilene is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 14.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $91,300 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+83.1%
Abilene
73.8
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+6.4%
Abilene
93.8
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Abilene
101.1
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare+1.8%
Abilene
91.4
Trenton
93
Utilities+38.3%
Abilene
81.2
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$91,300
$11,300 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.1416. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$221,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,000
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.2×

Trenton, NJ

Median Home Price
$451,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,600
Housing Index
135.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5×

Trenton has 83.1% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$63,400
Per Capita Income
$36,100
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Trenton, NJ

Median Household Income
$104,100
Per Capita Income
$59,300
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
90,871
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

62% of income left after rent (median)

Trenton, NJ
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.