El Paso vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
El Paso
Franklin
💡 The Verdict
El Paso is 7% cheaper than Franklin overall. A $75,000 salary in El Paso is equivalent to $80,294 in Franklin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for El Paso (left) vs Franklin (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in El Paso versus Franklin. Differences shown from El Paso perspective.
| Item | El Paso | Franklin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $720/mo | $1,040/mo | $-320.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,000/mo | $1,480/mo | $-480.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,350/mo | $1,930/mo | $-580.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.54 | $2.69 | $-0.15 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.63 | $3.40 | +$0.23 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.33 | $3.00 | +$0.33 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.93 | $5.19 | +$0.74 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.25 | $2.92 | +$0.33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.28 | $13.52 | +$1.76 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in El Paso has the same purchasing power as $80,294 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $70,055 in El Paso.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
Both states have similar effective tax rates on this salary level. Texas details → · Tennessee details →
Reading These Numbers: El Paso (85) vs Franklin (91)
El Paso at 85 is 15% below the US average, while Franklin at 91 is 9% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In El Paso, the composite index of 85 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 69, followed by groceries (95), utilities (93), transportation (98), and healthcare (89). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,000/mo in El Paso and $1,480/mo in Franklin, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,760.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $28,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $136,000.0 difference in median home prices between El Paso and Franklin translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: El Paso vs Franklin
Choosing between El Paso and Franklin involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between El Paso and Franklin can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.