CostIndexUSA

Santa Ana, CA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is moderately cheaper than Santa Ana — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Ana, you would need $72,700 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing20.7%
Santa Ana
170.4
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Santa Ana
106.6
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation6.2%
Santa Ana
109.6
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare6.2%
Santa Ana
99.1
Trenton
93
Utilities29.2%
Santa Ana
158.6
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.9085. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Trenton, NJ

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

Santa Ana has 20.7% lower housing costs compared to Trenton.

Income & Job Market

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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).

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.