Skyline of Franklin
Cost of Living: 115 83,000

Franklin, TN, US

Historic Williamson County city with a charming Main Street and top-rated schools.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 115

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 130

Above Average

Median Income $85,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.5%

Job market health

Franklin vs US Average

Cost of Living
Franklin: 115
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Franklin: 130
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $85,000
  • Unemployment: 2.5%
  • Population: 83,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 210/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 32°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $600,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1700/mo

Cost of Living

Franklin's cost of living index is 115 (US average = 100).

CategoryFranklinNational AverageDifference
Overall115100+15.0%
Housing130100+30.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$600,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1700/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,125/mo
Price per Sq Ft$400

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Franklin:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$98Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$43Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$10Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$291Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Franklin scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
115
Rent
$1700
Sunny Days
210
Tax
None
Unemployment
2.5%
Climate
90°F / 32°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
83,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Franklin has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January52°F32°F2.5"
April75°F47°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F50°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Franklin faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Dixie Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

River flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.67% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Schools & Education

100/100
School Quality Score
?
25
Total Schools

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

7
Universities
#1815
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Franklin & Marshall College

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Franklin, TN, US?

The cost of living index in Franklin is 115, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Franklin?

The median home price in Franklin is $600,000. The housing index is 130.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Franklin is approximately $1700/mo.

Does Franklin, TN have income tax?

Franklin is in TN, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Franklin?

Franklin enjoys approximately 210 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 32°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.