Franklin vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Franklin
Rochester
The Verdict
Living in Rochester costs 47.9% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Franklin, you would need $50,719 in Rochester.
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 $50,719 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $110,904 in Franklin.
Living in Franklin vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Rochester's 73, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $155,000. The $595,000 difference in home prices means roughly $38,676 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 Rochester, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 101 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $480/month in Rochester. 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 105 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $420 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 100 in Rochester. 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 $39,728 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $42,264 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 $927/month in Rochester. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,000/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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