Cost of Living in Franklin, NC

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4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
16%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Franklin North Carolina National
Cost of living9696100
Groceries102100100
Health care9999100
Housing8488100
Transportation10099100
Utilities9799100
Lifestyle & Entertainment106100100
Household Items102100100
Education & Childcare102100100
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Homes For Sale In Franklin, NC

property for sale

191 Bidwell St

Franklin, NC
property for sale

440 Lakeshore Dr

Franklin, NC
property for sale

29 Bert Waldroop Rd

Franklin, NC
property for sale

263 Bidwell St

Franklin, NC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Franklin is equal to the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Franklin is 4% lower than the national average
  • Franklin housing is 16% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Franklin

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Compare Franklin, NC Cost of Living

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      The best places in North Carolina

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$66,840$5,570$1,559$2,005
      Renters$46,993$3,916$1,096$1,410
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Franklin, NC, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Franklin have a median income of $66,840. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,559 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $46,993, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,096.

      North Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Carolina 4.75% 7.5%

      North Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Carolina 4.75% 4.75%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Tate City, GA0991.0%
      Forest Hills, NC332945.6%
      Dillard, GA341954.6%
      Sylva, NC2,804973.0%
      Dillsboro, NC2231000.2%
      Franklin, NC4,123964.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Marshall, WI4,1241000.1%
      Mahanoy City, PA4,1218118.7%
      Meridian, PA4,1211000.2%
      Madawaska Valley, ON4,125n/a 
      Wahneta, FL4,1208614.1%
      Franklin, NC4,123964.2%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
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