F
33%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
116%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Franklin Tennessee National
Cost of living13389100
Goods & Services9895100
Groceries10097100
Health care9185100
Housing21680100
Transportation9088100
Utilities9789100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Franklin, TN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Franklin is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Franklin is 133, which is 33% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Franklin may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Franklin falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

When it comes to the cost of living in Franklin, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 116.4% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Franklin?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 15 residents in Franklin to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 47% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 53% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Franklin Affordable?

Is Franklin affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Franklin, the median home price is 140.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 59.3% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Franklin boasting a median household income of $147,192, 81% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Franklin?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Franklin, healthcare costs are 8.7% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Franklin, the groceries index is 0.1% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Franklin, the housing index is 116.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Franklin, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Franklin is 49% higher than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Franklin is 33% higher than the national average
  • Franklin housing is 116% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Franklin

See all the best places to live around Franklin

Compare Franklin, TN Cost of Living

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      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$178,484$14,874$4,164$5,355
      Renters$105,399$8,783$2,459$3,162
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Franklin is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Franklin has a median income of about $178,484 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $4,164 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $105,399. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $2,459 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Tennessee 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.14$27.629.1%
      Beauty Salon $54.26$51.116.2%
      Toothpaste $4.20$4.092.6%
      Shampoo $1.39$1.549.9%
      Movie $16.16$12.8825.5%
      Yoga $24.10$19.6622.6%

      Groceries

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.80$7.701.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.6612.2%
      Milk $4.62$4.732.4%
      Potatoes $5.71$5.268.6%
      Pizza $11.42$12.7610.5%
      Beer $10.48$10.550.7%

      Health Care

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $133.25$140.064.9%
      Doctor $134.65$153.8212.5%
      Dentist $108.03$123.1512.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.76$11.730.2%
      Lipitor $21.89$23.617.3%

      Housing

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Home Price $786,620.00$326,622.00140.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,492.31$2,480.250.5%
      Apartment Rent $2,300.00$1,444.0059.3%

      Transportation

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.80$3.068.3%
      Tire Balancing $56.37$65.2113.6%

      Utilities

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $208.75$220.125.2%
      Phone $196.66$195.710.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Eagleville, TN9791054.7%
      Kingston Springs, TN2,8091088.0%
      Pegram, TN2,5701099.5%
      Berry Hill, TN1,26011515.4%
      Spring Hill, TN42,91011515.4%
      Franklin, TN83,48013332.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      San Ramon, CA83,423225124.7%
      Auburn, WA83,61713837.9%
      Brooklyn Park, MN83,3241054.7%
      Silver Spring, MD83,26615454.1%
      Lynchburg, VA83,703964.1%
      Franklin, TN83,48013332.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.