CostIndexUSA

Providence, RI vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableRI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Providence is slightly cheaper than Trenton — 1.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Providence, you would need $81,100 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+30.0%
Providence
103.9
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Providence
97.1
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation4.3%
Providence
107.4
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Providence
97.2
Trenton
93
Utilities24.5%
Providence
148.8
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$81,100
$1,100 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 101.8) = salary × 1.0138. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 30.0% higher housing costs compared to Providence.

Income & Job Market

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

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).

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.