Boulder vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boulder
Franklin
The Verdict
Franklin is 6.5% less expensive than Boulder overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boulder would need approximately $70,439 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 Boulder has the same purchasing power as $70,439 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $79,856 in Boulder.
Living in Boulder vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Boulder's housing index of 230 is equal to Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $750,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,300/mo in Boulder compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 107 in Boulder and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Boulder vs $475/month in Franklin. Franklin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Boulder and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Boulder vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Boulder and 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,123 in Boulder and $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,407 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 $1,706/month to housing in Boulder vs $2,758/month in Franklin. In Boulder, median rent of $2,300/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 Transportation, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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