City Comparison

Franklin vs Nashville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Nashville

Tennessee
102
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$59,828
Median Income

The Verdict

36.3%

Nashville is 36.3% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Franklin would need approximately $55,036 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
108
Nashville
Groceries
100
Franklin
96
Nashville
Utilities
97
Franklin
92
Nashville
Transportation
90
Franklin
100
Nashville
Healthcare
91
Franklin
98
Nashville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $55,036 in Nashville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nashville equals $102,206 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Nashville

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Nashville's 108, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $380,000. The $370,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,600/mo in Nashville, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 96 in Nashville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $456/month in Nashville. 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 92 in Nashville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $368 in Nashville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 98 in Nashville. 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 $59,828 in Nashville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $58,655 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 $1,396/month in Nashville. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Nashville, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 122 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville is 36.3% more affordable overall with an index of 102 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,036 in Nashville, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Nashville's is 108 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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