CostIndexUSA

Fargo, ND vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Fargo
90.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Fargo is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 13.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fargo, you would need $90,800 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+66.6%
Fargo
81.1
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+4.3%
Fargo
95.7
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation+7.2%
Fargo
95.9
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare+7.1%
Fargo
86.8
Trenton
93
Utilities+45.3%
Fargo
77.3
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$90,800
$10,800 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 90.9) = salary × 1.1353. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fargo, ND

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
81.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.7×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 66.6% higher housing costs compared to Fargo.

Income & Job Market

Fargo, ND

Median Household Income
$72,900
Per Capita Income
$41,600
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
125,990
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationTechnologyRetail

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).

Fargo, ND
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% 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.