CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Bismarck is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 13.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $90,700 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+60.8%
Bismarck
84
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+4.3%
Bismarck
95.7
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation+7.4%
Bismarck
95.7
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare+7.4%
Bismarck
86.6
Trenton
93
Utilities+49.7%
Bismarck
75
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$90,700
$10,700 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.1341. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 60.8% higher housing costs compared to Bismarck.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

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).

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.