Camden, NJ vs Trenton, NJ

Camden, NJ and Trenton, NJ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Camden scores 79 while Trenton scores 83 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Camden is $1,157/month compared to $1,224/month in Trenton — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Camden is more affordable at $100,400 median vs $122,500.

Median household income in Camden is $40,450 compared to $47,102 in Trenton (-14.1%). While Trenton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Camden spend roughly 34.3% of their income on rent, more than the 31.2% in Trenton. The Trenton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.