City Comparison

Franklin vs Jackson

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

Tennessee
139
Expensive
$750,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$118,200
Median Income

Jackson

Mississippi
82
Very Affordable
$125,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$36,528
Median Income

The Verdict

69.5%

Living in Jackson costs 69.5% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Franklin, you would need $44,245 in Jackson.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
230
Franklin
56
Jackson
Groceries
100
Franklin
95
Jackson
Utilities
97
Franklin
86
Jackson
Transportation
90
Franklin
97
Jackson
Healthcare
91
Franklin
88
Jackson

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $44,245 in Jackson.

Conversely, $75,000 in Jackson equals $127,134 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Jackson

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Jackson's 56, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $125,000. The $625,000 difference in home prices means roughly $40,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $900/mo in Jackson, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 95 in Jackson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $451/month in Jackson. 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 97 in Franklin and 86 in Jackson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $344 in Jackson. 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 91 in Franklin and 88 in Jackson. 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 $118,200 in Franklin and $36,528 in Jackson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $44,546 respectively. Franklin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,758/month to housing in Franklin vs $852/month in Jackson. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 174 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jackson is 69.5% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $44,245 in Jackson, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Jackson's is 56 with median homes at $125,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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