CostIndexUSA

Norfolk, VA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Norfolk
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Norfolk is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Norfolk, you would need $84,300 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+35.4%
Norfolk
99.8
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+3.1%
Norfolk
96.8
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Norfolk
103.5
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare0.7%
Norfolk
93.7
Trenton
93
Utilities+25.3%
Norfolk
89.6
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$84,300
$4,300 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0541. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Norfolk, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 35.4% higher housing costs compared to Norfolk.

Income & Job Market

Norfolk, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
245,782
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareShippingGovernmentRetail

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).

Norfolk, VA
3.7×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.