City Comparison

Franklin vs Kansas City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Kansas City

Missouri
93
Below Average
$220,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,478
Median Income

The Verdict

49.5%

Living in Kansas City costs 49.5% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Franklin, you would need $50,180 in Kansas City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
80
Kansas City
Groceries
100
Franklin
97
Kansas City
Utilities
97
Franklin
95
Kansas City
Transportation
90
Franklin
106
Kansas City
Healthcare
91
Franklin
96
Kansas City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $50,180 in Kansas City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kansas City equals $112,097 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Kansas City

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Kansas City's 80, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $220,000. The $530,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,452 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,100/mo in Kansas City, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 97 in Kansas City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $461/month in Kansas 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 Kansas City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $380 in Kansas City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 96 in Kansas 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 $57,478 in Kansas City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $61,804 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 $1,341/month in Kansas City. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Kansas City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 150 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City is 49.5% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,180 in Kansas City, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Kansas City's is 80 with median homes at $220,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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