Franklin vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Franklin
Tempe
The Verdict
Tempe is 31.1% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Franklin would need approximately $57,194 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $57,194 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $98,349 in Franklin.
Living in Franklin vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $400,000. The $350,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,752 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 Tempe, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, 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 116 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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