CostIndexUSA

Seattle, WA vs Trenton, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
More AffordableNJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent

Trenton is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 7.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Seattle, you would need $74,300 in Trenton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing10.7%
Seattle
151.3
Trenton
135.1
🛒 Groceries4.0%
Seattle
104
Trenton
99.8
🚗 Transportation8.4%
Seattle
112.2
Trenton
102.8
🏥 Healthcare8.4%
Seattle
101.5
Trenton
93
Utilities+21.0%
Seattle
92.8
Trenton
112.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Trenton, NJ
$74,300
$5,700 less needed in Trenton

Formula: salary × (103.2 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 0.9289. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Trenton, NJ

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

Seattle has 10.7% lower housing costs compared to Trenton.

Income & Job Market

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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).

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.