CostIndexUSA

Monroe, LA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Trenton — 23.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Monroe, you would need $98,800 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+215.7%
Monroe
42.8
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+6.5%
Monroe
93.7
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation+2.3%
Monroe
100.5
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Monroe
90.9
Trenton
93
Utilities+55.5%
Monroe
72.2
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$98,800
$18,800 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 83.6) = salary × 1.2344. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 215.7% higher housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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).

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.