CostIndexUSA

Trenton, NJ vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Trenton
103.2
overall index
$2,450/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Worcester is slightly cheaper than Trenton — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Trenton, you would need $79,500 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing16.4%
Trenton
135.1
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries2.8%
Trenton
99.8
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+3.4%
Trenton
102.8
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.3%
Trenton
93
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+38.2%
Trenton
112.3
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$79,500
$500 less needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 103.2) = salary × 0.9932. 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×

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Trenton has 16.4% lower housing costs compared to Worcester.

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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

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)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.