CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Champaign is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 11.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $89,100 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+88.7%
Champaign
71.6
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+6.6%
Champaign
93.6
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Champaign
104.6
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Champaign
94.6
Trenton
93
Utilities+24.1%
Champaign
90.5
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$89,100
$9,100 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.1133. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 88.7% higher housing costs compared to Champaign.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

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).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.