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Trenton-Princeton, NJ

Cost of living in Mercer County, NJ

Part of the Trenton Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,724/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 383,286 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,605 43%
Federal tax $645 17%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $392 11%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $194 5%
State tax $103 3%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Mercer County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,391
per month
1 bedroom
$1,605
per month
2 bedroom
$2,028
per month
3 bedroom
$2,443
per month
4 bedroom
$2,747
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Mercer County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$96,333
per year
Individual earnings
$49,461
per year
Per capita
$52,101
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Mercer County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$351,000
Annual property tax
$8,804

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Mercer County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$132
per month · 19.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,328
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Mercer County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Mercer County

State and local tax rates for New Jersey.

State income tax
10.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.6%
Combined sales tax
6.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Mercer County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.6 min
Drive alone
61.5%
Public transit
5.2%
Work from home
17.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Mercer County

What it costs to live in Mercer County each month.

Single person
$3,724
per month
  • Rent $1,605
  • Energy $194
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $392
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $645
  • State tax $103
Couple
$5,771
per month
  • Rent $2,028
  • Energy $233
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $650
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,247
  • State tax $334
Family
$8,376
per month
  • Rent $2,443
  • Energy $291
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $986
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,247
  • State tax $334

Frequently asked questions about Mercer County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Mercer County?

In Mercer County, NJ, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,605 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,028 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,443 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Mercer County?

In Mercer County, NJ, the average household income is $96,333 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $49,461 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Mercer County?

The estimated cost of living in Mercer County, NJ is approximately $3,724 per month for a single person, $5,771 for a couple, $8,376 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Mercer County?

The combined sales tax rate in Mercer County, NJ is 6.63%, which includes the New Jersey state rate of 6.63% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Mercer County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Mercer County, NJ would need approximately $3,724 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $96,333 per year ($8,028 per month). Mercer County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Mercer County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Mercer County, NJ is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Mercer County?

The average home value in Mercer County, NJ is $351,000, with average annual property taxes of $8,804, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Mercer County compare to other areas?

You can compare Mercer County, NJ with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Mercer County is in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area.

Other counties in New Jersey

Browse the full list of counties in New Jersey, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New Jersey

Compare Mercer County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources