Trenton, NJ vs Atlantic City, NJ: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Atlantic City, NJ is 4.2% less expensive than Trenton, NJ (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Trenton works out to about $71,900 in Atlantic City, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 27.0% less in Atlantic City. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,049 a month in Atlantic City and $2,523 in Trenton, $5,688 a year less in Atlantic City (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $383,000 in Atlantic City and $440,000 in Trenton.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Atlantic City was 6.5% less expensive than Trenton.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 27.0% lower in Atlantic City than in Trenton
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
All items Trenton, NJ: 103.2 Atlantic City, NJ: 98.9
Goods Trenton, NJ: 99.8 Atlantic City, NJ: 99.8
Housing (rents) Trenton, NJ: 135.1 Atlantic City, NJ: 98.7
Utilities Trenton, NJ: 112.3 Atlantic City, NJ: 109.2
Other services Trenton, NJ: 97.9 Atlantic City, NJ: 97.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.2 | 98.9 |
| Goods | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.1 | 98.7 |
| Utilities | 112.3 | 109.2 |
| Other services | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| Category | Trenton | Atlantic City | Atlantic City vs Trenton |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.2 | 98.9 | −4.2% |
| Goods | 99.8 | 99.8 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 135.1 | 98.7 | −27.0% |
| Utilities | 112.3 | 109.2 | −2.7% |
| Other services | 97.9 | 97.9 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,523 | $2,049 | −18.8% |
| Typical home value | $440,000 | $383,000 | −12.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Trenton | $75,000 | $71,900 | −4.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Trenton and Atlantic City has narrowed since 2008: 6.2 points then, 4.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 104.6 | 110.7 |
| 2009 | 110.2 | 106.9 |
| 2010 | 107.1 | 108.8 |
| 2011 | 107.2 | 106.2 |
| 2012 | 108.4 | 104.6 |
| 2013 | 108.6 | 102.0 |
| 2014 | 110.3 | 102.7 |
| 2015 | 108.6 | 103.2 |
| 2016 | 108.8 | 102.6 |
| 2017 | 109.9 | 100.9 |
| 2018 | 103.9 | 100.8 |
| 2019 | 104.3 | 97.4 |
| 2020 | 104.2 | 101.2 |
| 2021 | 101.9 | 96.0 |
| 2022 | 100.8 | 100.2 |
| 2023 | 102.4 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 103.2 | 98.9 |
Goods
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.6 | 108.9 |
| 2009 | 103.7 | 108.1 |
| 2010 | 99.0 | 105.2 |
| 2011 | 101.1 | 107.0 |
| 2012 | 104.5 | 103.2 |
| 2013 | 106.2 | 98.6 |
| 2014 | 103.0 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 104.6 | 100.2 |
| 2016 | 103.7 | 102.7 |
| 2017 | 102.4 | 99.0 |
| 2018 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.1 | 99.1 |
| 2021 | 95.5 | 95.5 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2023 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2024 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
Housing (rents)
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 133.0 | 133.0 |
| 2009 | 145.3 | 109.7 |
| 2010 | 139.4 | 122.7 |
| 2011 | 127.7 | 114.7 |
| 2012 | 140.7 | 112.7 |
| 2013 | 141.6 | 109.0 |
| 2014 | 153.9 | 113.2 |
| 2015 | 135.7 | 115.7 |
| 2016 | 139.5 | 107.6 |
| 2017 | 142.5 | 96.5 |
| 2018 | 139.3 | 106.2 |
| 2019 | 146.7 | 93.2 |
| 2020 | 137.2 | 106.8 |
| 2021 | 126.8 | 87.1 |
| 2022 | 127.3 | 112.3 |
| 2023 | 128.1 | 99.4 |
| 2024 | 135.1 | 98.7 |
Utilities
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 138.6 | 119.0 |
| 2009 | 137.8 | 127.1 |
| 2010 | 131.6 | 128.6 |
| 2011 | 129.4 | 128.0 |
| 2012 | 126.6 | 126.8 |
| 2013 | 122.6 | 126.1 |
| 2014 | 113.6 | 106.9 |
| 2015 | 109.8 | 101.5 |
| 2016 | 115.0 | 103.2 |
| 2017 | 113.6 | 103.7 |
| 2018 | 116.2 | 110.7 |
| 2019 | 118.9 | 114.8 |
| 2020 | 118.6 | 114.5 |
| 2021 | 115.7 | 110.3 |
| 2022 | 108.7 | 105.0 |
| 2023 | 111.0 | 108.2 |
| 2024 | 112.3 | 109.2 |
Other services
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.0 | 102.0 |
| 2009 | 104.9 | 103.6 |
| 2010 | 103.7 | 103.4 |
| 2011 | 105.2 | 100.4 |
| 2012 | 102.8 | 100.3 |
| 2013 | 102.1 | 99.6 |
| 2014 | 105.2 | 101.1 |
| 2015 | 104.8 | 99.7 |
| 2016 | 104.7 | 100.3 |
| 2017 | 107.0 | 104.1 |
| 2018 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2022 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2023 | 99.0 | 99.0 |
| 2024 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,049 in Atlantic City vs $2,523 in Trenton
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,507 | $1,011 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,536 | $1,019 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,522 | $1,004 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,541 | $1,001 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,540 | $1,057 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,580 | $1,042 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,572 | $1,007 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,580 | $1,010 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,581 | $1,051 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,609 | $1,056 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,600 | $1,038 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,632 | $1,065 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,631 | $1,098 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,658 | $1,099 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,650 | $1,091 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,654 | $1,100 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,666 | $1,139 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,692 | $1,127 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,702 | $1,115 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,719 | $1,141 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,729 | $1,176 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,754 | $1,163 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,774 | $1,230 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,796 | $1,223 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,847 | $1,288 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,878 | $1,396 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,946 | $1,442 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,992 | $1,487 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,083 | $1,575 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,127 | $1,659 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,174 | $1,647 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,187 | $1,658 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,216 | $1,684 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,313 | $1,753 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,306 | $1,735 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,341 | $1,808 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,350 | $1,823 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,400 | $1,849 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,404 | $1,832 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,431 | $1,853 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,459 | $1,922 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,471 | $1,956 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,464 | $1,923 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,487 | $1,944 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,473 | $2,052 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,523 | $2,024 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,523 | $2,049 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $383,000 in Atlantic City vs $440,000 in Trenton
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Trenton, NJ
- Atlantic City, NJ
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Trenton, NJ | Atlantic City, NJ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $239K | $190K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $241K | $189K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $243K | $188K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $244K | $187K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $246K | $185K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $248K | $182K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $249K | $178K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $250K | $174K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $250K | $174K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $253K | $175K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $254K | $178K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $257K | $181K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $260K | $181K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $263K | $183K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $265K | $188K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $265K | $192K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $268K | $197K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $272K | $200K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $272K | $202K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $275K | $206K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $281K | $211K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $285K | $214K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $287K | $218K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $297K | $231K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $307K | $243K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $320K | $256K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $330K | $268K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $337K | $277K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $349K | $288K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $364K | $300K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $365K | $301K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $366K | $303K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $375K | $311K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $388K | $319K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $398K | $328K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $405K | $334K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $416K | $341K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $425K | $350K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $432K | $355K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $436K | $360K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $439K | $364K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $441K | $367K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $439K | $368K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $438K | $372K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $440K | $378K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $440K | $381K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $440K | $383K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.