City Comparison

Franklin vs Laredo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Laredo

Texas
82
Very Affordable
$190,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$63,900
Median Income

The Verdict

69.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 69.5%, with Laredo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to $44,245 in Laredo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
81
Laredo
Groceries
100
Franklin
91
Laredo
Utilities
97
Franklin
107
Laredo
Transportation
90
Franklin
90
Laredo
Healthcare
91
Franklin
77
Laredo

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Franklin vs Laredo

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $190,000. The $560,000 difference in home prices means roughly $36,396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $432/month in Laredo. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Franklin and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $428 in Laredo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $118,200 in Franklin and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $77,927 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 $1,491/month in Laredo. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 149 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laredo 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 Laredo, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Laredo's is 81 with median homes at $190,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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