Living in Trenton combines historical significance with contemporary urban living in New Jersey's capital city. The city's heritage shines through landmarks like the Old Barracks Museum, the New Jersey State House, and the William Trent House, while downtown continues to grow with transit-oriented development. Housing options include historic row houses and apartments, with current average rents at $1,515 for a one-bedroom unit, showing a moderate increase of 3.5% over the past year. Notable neighborhoods include the Mill Hill historic district, Chambersburg, and West Ward. The city's central location offers convenient transit access via Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA, connecting residents to both New York City and Philadelphia.
Cultural attractions include the New Jersey State Museum and the Trenton War Memorial, home to performances and events. Cadwalader Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, spans 109.5 acres of recreational space. The illuminated "Trenton Makes, The World Takes" bridge sign stands as a testament to the city's manufacturing history, when it produced rubber, wire rope, ceramics, and cigars. While state government offices now anchor the local economy, Trenton continues to evolve through new development and community initiatives. The city's lower cost of living relative to surrounding metropolitan areas, combined with its historic character and accessibility to major cities, appeals to those seeking an urban setting with strong transportation connections.
The American Goldfinch, the New Jersey state bird
The Trenton Train Station
As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Trenton, NJ is $994 for a studio, $1,558 for one bedroom, $1,891 for two bedrooms, and $1,629 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Trenton has increased by 1.4% in the past year.
Experience all New Jersey offers without breaking the bank. Here are 10 cities with the cheapest rent in the state.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Trenton, NJ is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Some Transit
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Bikeable
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Foundation Academy Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
Paul Robeson Charter School For The Humanities
Public
Grades K-8
Pace Charter School Of Hamilton
Public
Grades K-8
International Charter School Of Trenton
Public
Grades K-5
HEDGEPETH WILLIAM MIDDLE SCHOOL
Public
Grades K-5
Foundation Academy Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
Paul Robeson Charter School For The Humanities
Public
Grades K-8
Pace Charter School Of Hamilton
Public
Grades K-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Foundation Academy Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
35 Students
Public
Public
Grades 6-12
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
