CostIndexUSA

Trenton, NJ vs Wilmington, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Wilmington
96.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Wilmington is moderately cheaper than Trenton — 6.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Trenton, you would need $74,700 in Wilmington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing31.0%
Trenton
135.1
Wilmington
93.2
🛒 Groceries3.2%
Trenton
99.8
Wilmington
96.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Trenton
102.8
Wilmington
103.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Trenton
93
Wilmington
93.3
Utilities21.7%
Trenton
112.3
Wilmington
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, NC
$74,700
$5,300 less needed in Wilmington

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 103.2) = salary × 0.9341. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Trenton, NJ

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

Wilmington, NC

Median Home Price
$432,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
93.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.2×

Trenton has 31.0% lower housing costs compared to Wilmington.

Income & Job Market

Trenton, NJ

Median Household Income
$96,200
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
90,871
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceManufacturingEducation

Wilmington, NC

Median Household Income
$76,900
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
115,451
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismTechnologyEducationMilitary

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Trenton, NJ
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Wilmington, NC
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.