Columbus vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Columbus
Franklin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 33.1%, with Columbus being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Columbus has equivalent purchasing power to $112,097 in Franklin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Columbus has the same purchasing power as $112,097 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $50,180 in Columbus.
Living in Columbus vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Columbus's housing index of 82 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $750,000. The $510,000 difference in home prices means roughly $33,156 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Columbus compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Columbus and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Columbus 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 93 in Columbus and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Columbus vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Columbus 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 $56,590 in Columbus and $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,849 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 $1,320/month to housing in Columbus vs $2,758/month in Franklin. In Columbus, median rent of $1,200/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 148 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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