City Comparison

Franklin vs Salt Lake City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Salt Lake City

Utah
107
Above Average
$440,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$60,590
Median Income

The Verdict

29.9%

Living in Salt Lake City costs 29.9% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Franklin, you would need $57,734 in Salt Lake City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
120
Salt Lake City
Groceries
100
Franklin
99
Salt Lake City
Utilities
97
Franklin
88
Salt Lake City
Transportation
90
Franklin
102
Salt Lake City
Healthcare
91
Franklin
97
Salt Lake City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $57,734 in Salt Lake City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Salt Lake City equals $97,430 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Salt Lake City

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Salt Lake City's 120, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $440,000. The $310,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,500/mo in Salt Lake City, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 99 in Salt Lake City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $470/month in Salt Lake City. 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 88 in Salt Lake City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $352 in Salt Lake City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 97 in Salt Lake City. 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 $60,590 in Salt Lake City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $56,626 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 $1,414/month in Salt Lake City. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Salt Lake City, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 110 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Salt Lake City is 29.9% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,734 in Salt Lake City, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Salt Lake City's is 120 with median homes at $440,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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