Franklin vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Franklin
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 35.0%, with Wilmington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to $55,576 in Wilmington.
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 $55,576 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $101,214 in Franklin.
Living in Franklin vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $320,000. The $430,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,948 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 Wilmington, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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