Salary comparison
Construction Laborers: Chicago vs Trenton
Trenton, NJ pays about 18.1% more for construction laborers on paper — $71,920 vs $60,890. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Trenton comes out ahead by $11,030 a year in real buying power.
Chicago, IL
$60,890
$46,290
$100,750
$29.27
100
$60,890/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Trenton, NJ
$71,920
$48,730
$106,370
$34.58
100
$71,920/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $11,030 a year (18.1%) in favor of Trenton. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Chicago runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Trenton sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Trenton is the better deal by $11,030 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Chicago to Trenton for this role, the raise needs to beat 18.1% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do construction laborers earn more, Chicago or Trenton?
Trenton pays $71,920 on median — about 18.1% more than Chicago ($60,890). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Trenton. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Trenton gives you roughly$71,920 of real buying power versus $60,890 in the other city.