City Comparison

Franklin vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Franklin

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

78.2%

Living in Springfield costs 78.2% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Franklin, you would need $42,086 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
230
Franklin
52
Springfield
Groceries
100
Franklin
98
Springfield
Utilities
97
Franklin
98
Springfield
Transportation
90
Franklin
114
Springfield
Healthcare
91
Franklin
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $42,086 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $133,654 in Franklin.

Living in Franklin vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Springfield's 52, 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 $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 91 in Springfield. 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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $83,974 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 178 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 78.2% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $42,086 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Franklin's housing index is 230 with median homes at $750,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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