Cost of Living in Trenton, MI

Population 18,242 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

66
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Trenton stay well under national norms: a median home value of $202,000 against median household incomes of $78,565 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Michigan.

Geographically, Trenton sits roughly 12 miles south of Dearborn. Housing prices track closely with Dearborn's $206,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 66
Rent 66

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Trenton

The median home value in Trenton is $202,400 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $873/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,565/year is 5% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 59.1°F and lows of 42.0°F, with about 45" of annual snowfall. Overall, Trenton has a cost of living index of 66 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$202,400
34% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$234,476
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$873/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$707
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$962
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,444
Owner-occupied 83.0%
Renter-occupied 17.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$873
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,487/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.3 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.6%
Carpooled
4.4%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
12.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$78,565
5% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,757
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
20% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Labor Force Participation
56.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.4%
Graduate degree 10.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.3
Male median age 45.9
Female median age 51.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.1°F
Avg Low
42.0°F
Annual Precip
34.3"
Annual Snowfall
45"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 323546597080848174624937
Low °F 192129395060646356443425
Precip" 2.232.082.433.263.723.263.513.263.222.532.572.25
Snow" 14.012.56.21.50.00.00.00.00.00.01.98.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 61 — Moderate
19.2%
Good air days/yr
226
Max AQI recorded
329
PM2.5 days
33
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
2,523
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Trenton, MI?

Trenton has a cost index of 66 (100 = national average). It is 34% below the national average.

What is average rent in Trenton, MI?

The median gross rent in Trenton is $873 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Trenton?

The median home value in Trenton is $202,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Trenton?

The median household income in Trenton is $78,565 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Trenton, MI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Trenton is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Trenton, MI affordable?

Yes, Trenton is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 66 — about 34% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Trenton?

Trenton has average high temperatures of 59.1°F and average lows of 42.0°F. Annual precipitation is 34.3". Average annual snowfall is 45". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Trenton at a Glance

Population
18,242
Median Income
$78,565
Home Value
$202,400
Median Rent
$873/mo
Unemployment
3.9%
Avg High Temp
59.1°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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