City Comparison

Franklin vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

75.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 75.9%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to $42,626 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
49
Montgomery
Groceries
100
Franklin
99
Montgomery
Utilities
97
Franklin
115
Montgomery
Transportation
90
Franklin
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
91
Franklin
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $42,626 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $131,962 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $162,000. The $588,000 difference in home prices means roughly $38,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $71,899 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 181 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 75.9% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $42,626 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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