Champaign vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Franklin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 41.7%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to $128,704 in Franklin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $128,704 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $43,705 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $750,000. The $535,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign 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 106 in Champaign and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 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 $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $2,758/month in Franklin. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 147 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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