CostIndexUSA

Rochester, MN vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMN
Rochester
90.8
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Rochester is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 13.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Rochester, you would need $90,900 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+71.9%
Rochester
78.6
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries+4.6%
Rochester
95.4
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation+6.2%
Rochester
96.8
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare+6.2%
Rochester
87.6
Trenton
93
Utilities+28.5%
Rochester
87.4
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$90,900
$10,900 more needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 90.8) = salary × 1.1366. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Rochester, MN

Median Home Price
$324,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6×

Trenton, NJ

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

Trenton has 71.9% higher housing costs compared to Rochester.

Income & Job Market

Rochester, MN

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
121,395
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

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).

Rochester, MN
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.