Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Trenton, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 5.2% cheaper than Trenton, NJ. This translates to saving $386 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Trenton, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Trenton, NJ, you'd need approximately $145,363.51 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Trenton, NJ and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 5.2% more expensive than in Trenton, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,458/month in Trenton, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Trenton, NJ to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Trenton, NJ to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $386 per month, or $4636 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Trenton, NJ vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Trenton, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Trenton, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $386/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.4K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↓ 5.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$386

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Trenton, NJ

Population:90K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$286K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$263K

Trenton, NJ

The Garden State

90K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 90K residents.

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 906K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Trenton, NJ vs Columbus, OH

Category	Trenton, NJ	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
⚡All Utilities	$587/mo	$464/mo	↓ $123less	20.9%
📦Other	$1,664/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $107less	6.4%
🏠Housing	$1,952/mo	$2,053/mo	↑ $101more	5.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$969/mo	↓ $99.91less	9.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,332/mo	$1,366/mo	↑ $33.96more	2.5%
🏥Healthcare	$588/mo	$607/mo	↑ $19.24more	3.3%

⚡All Utilities

↓ 20.9%

Trenton, NJ

$587

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$123

less

📦Other

↓ 6.4%

Trenton, NJ

$1,664

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$107

less

🏠Housing

↑ 5.2%

Trenton, NJ

$1,952

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$101

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.3%

Trenton, NJ

$1,069

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$99.91

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.5%

Trenton, NJ

$1,332

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$33.96

🏥Healthcare

↑ 3.3%

Trenton, NJ

$588

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$19.24

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Columbus, OH: Columbus Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)

Trenton, NJ has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,004

To$1,020

↑ $16.00

1 Bed

From$1,156

To$1,100

↓ $56.00

2 Bed

From$1,458

To$1,315

↓ $143

3 Bed

From$1,753

To$1,575

↓ $178

Trenton, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,450–$1,540/mo

Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,790/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,192

Monthly in Trenton, NJ

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$175

Difference

Home Values

Trenton

Columbus

$286K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -1.9%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +54.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$267K - $305K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 8% less expensive than Trenton

Calculate payment - Trenton Calculate payment - Columbus

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$250

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.0%

Rate difference

Trenton, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

Columbus, OH

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Ohio State Tax

Effective: 3.0%

$4.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.6%

$41.4K

Take-Home Pay

$9,047/month

$108.6K

Additional Tax Information

Trenton, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.