CICostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,600/mo rent

Austin is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $84,200 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+12.2%
Austin
120.4
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+6.4%
Austin
93.8
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Austin
101.1
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare+1.8%
Austin
91.4
Trenton
93
Utilities+37.0%
Austin
82
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$84,200
$4,200 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 1.0520. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$424,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 12.2% higher housing costs compared to Austin.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$99,900
Per Capita Income
$56,900
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

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).

Austin, TX
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.