CostIndexUSA

Columbus, GA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Columbus is significantly cheaper than Trenton — 15.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $92,500 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+120.8%
Columbus
61.2
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+3.6%
Columbus
96.3
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Columbus
103.5
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare0.6%
Columbus
93.6
Trenton
93
Utilities+25.2%
Columbus
89.7
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$92,500
$12,500 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 89.3) = salary × 1.1557. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 120.8% higher housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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).

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.