City Comparison

Franklin vs Richmond

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Richmond

Virginia
103
Average
$300,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$50,120
Median Income

The Verdict

35.0%

Living in Richmond costs 35.0% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Franklin, you would need $55,576 in Richmond.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
108
Richmond
Groceries
100
Franklin
100
Richmond
Utilities
97
Franklin
97
Richmond
Transportation
90
Franklin
100
Richmond
Healthcare
91
Franklin
100
Richmond

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $55,576 in Richmond.

Conversely, $75,000 in Richmond equals $101,214 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Richmond

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Richmond's 108, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $300,000. The $450,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,256 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,400/mo in Richmond, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 100 in Richmond. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $50,120 in Richmond. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $48,660 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 $1,169/month in Richmond. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Richmond, median rent of $1,400/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

Richmond is 35.0% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,576 in Richmond, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Richmond's is 108 with median homes at $300,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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