Cost of Living in Franklin, KY

Population 10,254 · Kentucky · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Franklin is a smaller Kentucky community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $55,552 and housing costs ($170,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 40 miles northeast of Nashville-Davidson, Franklin falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 56% lower than Nashville-Davidson's $383,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 79

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Franklin

The median home value in Franklin is $170,400 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,034/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,552/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Kentucky's top state income tax rate is 4.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Franklin has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$170,400
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$243,754
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,034/mo
21% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$636
1 BR
$721
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,187
4 BR
$1,336
Owner-occupied 53.2%
Renter-occupied 46.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,034
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,648/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
20.6 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
14.7%
Walked
3.4%
Work from home
5.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$55,552
26% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,651
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
15% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Labor Force Participation
53.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.2%
Graduate degree 5.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.4
Male median age 29.7
Female median age 37.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
83.6%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,158
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Franklin, KY?

Franklin has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Franklin, KY?

The median gross rent in Franklin is $1,034 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Franklin?

The median home value in Franklin is $170,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Franklin?

The median household income in Franklin is $55,552 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Franklin, KY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Franklin is 6.0%. The Kentucky state income tax top rate is 4.0%.

Is Franklin, KY affordable?

Yes, Franklin is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

Franklin at a Glance

Population
10,254
Median Income
$55,552
Home Value
$170,400
Median Rent
$1,034/mo
Unemployment
5.5%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Kentucky →
🗺️ County data for Kentucky

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs