Arlington vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Franklin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.9%, with Arlington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $108,594 in Franklin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $108,594 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $51,799 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $750,000. The $490,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,848 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $475/month in Franklin. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,758/month in Franklin. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 144 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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