salaryRent is lower than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (62%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,040 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Jersey cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New Jersey. It is number 9 of 291 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Trenton?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Trenton
| Size | Trenton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $484 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,100 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,480 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,918 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,953 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Trenton overall?
Everyday prices in the Trenton-Princeton metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Trenton
Life in Trenton
What jobs pay in Trenton
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Manager | $181,450 | 8.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,630 | 9.6% |
| Pharmacist | $138,910 | 10.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $138,880 | 10.6% |
| Lawyer | $138,760 | 10.6% |
| Software Developer | $128,770 | 11.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,190 | 13.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,090 | 14.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,920 | 14.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $99,990 | 14.7% |
| Accountant | $99,550 | 14.8% |
| Electrician | $98,210 | 15.0% |
| Firefighter | $88,090 | 16.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,110 | 17.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,850 | 18.9% |
| Plumber | $76,360 | 19.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,380 | 19.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,240 | 19.6% |
| Police Officer | $69,160 | 21.3% |
| Carpenter | $65,690 | 22.4% |
| Truck Driver | $59,460 | 24.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,590 | 30.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,980 | 32.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,950 | 32.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,400 | 38.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,070 | 38.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,560 | 39.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,720 | 40.1% |
| Cashier | $34,710 | 42.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Trenton?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $111 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $160,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,070 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Trenton, NJ?
Renting in Trenton costs a median of about $1,226 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Jersey median is $2,240.
How much do I need to make to live in Trenton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,040 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Trenton cheap or expensive?
Trenton is rated OK: rent takes 26.0% of the typical household income of $56,661. It ranks 9th cheapest of 291 New Jersey cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Trenton?
The median homeowner in Trenton pays $4,404 a year in property taxes, about 2.74% of the median home value.
Is Trenton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Trenton?
The median home value in Trenton is $160,700, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
90,338 people live in Trenton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.