Baltimore vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Baltimore
Franklin
The Verdict
Baltimore is 23.7% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Baltimore would need approximately $98,349 in Franklin to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $98,349 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $57,194 in Baltimore.
Living in Baltimore vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Baltimore's housing index of 107 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $200,000 vs $750,000. The $550,000 difference in home prices means roughly $35,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Baltimore compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Baltimore and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Baltimore 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 110 in Baltimore and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Baltimore vs $388 in Franklin. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Baltimore and 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,164 in Baltimore and $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,211 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 $1,217/month to housing in Baltimore vs $2,758/month in Franklin. In Baltimore, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 123 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases