Franklin vs Knoxville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Franklin
Knoxville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 58.0%, with Knoxville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to $47,482 in Knoxville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $47,482 in Knoxville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $118,466 in Franklin.
Living in Franklin vs Knoxville
Housing Costs
Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $240,000. 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: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $447/month in Knoxville. Knoxville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Franklin and 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $360 in Knoxville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 93 in Knoxville. 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 $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $48,748 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 $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 157 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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