Trenton wins overall by ~2% (COL index)
Cost of living: Chicago vs Trenton (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Chicago buys roughly what $59,860 does in Trenton (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$230/yr
Favoring Trenton for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $19/mo in Trenton, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Chicago Illinois | Trenton New Jersey | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,350Better | Trenton wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Trenton |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,700Better | Trenton wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Trenton |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $2,300Better | Trenton wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Trenton |
| Median home price | $360K | $310KWins | Trenton wins −$50K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102Better | 104 | Chicago wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15Better | $15 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Better | $62 | Chicago wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $105 | $80Wins | Trenton wins −$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Trenton |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40Better | $3.40 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165Better | $172 | Chicago wins +$7/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Wins | $215 | Chicago wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Chicago |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $68 | Chicago wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $67KWins | $55K | Chicago wins −$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.9%Wins | 9.0% | Chicago wins +4.1 pp | $2,501/yr saves in Chicago |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 6.6%Wins | Trenton wins -3.7 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $15.00Better | Trenton wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45Better | $45 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 105Better | Trenton wins -2 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 63 | Chicago wins -15 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,508/yr tax difference into cash back
Trenton fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Trenton.
High-yield savings
Park ~$2,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Trenton?
No. Trenton is 2% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (105 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Chicago vs Trenton?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,900/month and in Trenton is $1,700/month. Chicago is more expensive by 12%.
How much do I need to earn in Trenton to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $73,598/year in Trenton to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chicago or Trenton?
Chicago has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 9%. The difference is 4.1 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Chicago to Trenton?
It depends on your priorities. Trenton offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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