City Comparison

Franklin vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

63.5%

Living in Johnson City costs 63.5% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Franklin, you would need $45,863 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
66
Johnson City
Groceries
100
Franklin
95
Johnson City
Utilities
97
Franklin
95
Johnson City
Transportation
90
Franklin
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
91
Franklin
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $45,863 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $122,647 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $276,000. The $474,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $451/month in Johnson City. 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 94 in Johnson City. 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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $65,176 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 $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 164 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 63.5% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,863 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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