Cost of Living in Franklin, TN

Population 85,575 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

184
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Franklin's housing market reflects its status as a high-earning metro: $646,000 for a typical home, 112% above the US median, paired with household incomes around $115,000 that put it in the upper third of the state. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.4% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Franklin sits roughly 20 miles south of Nashville-Davidson — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 69% higher than Nashville-Davidson's $383,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 212
Rent 142

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

About the Cost of Living in Franklin

The median home value in Franklin is $646,300 — 112% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,861/month, 42% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $115,000/year is 54% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 71.6°F and lows of 50.1°F, with about 4.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Franklin has a cost of living index of 184 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 84% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$646,300
112% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$904,528
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,861/mo
42% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,025/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 64.3%
Renter-occupied 35.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,861
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,475/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
26.2 min
3% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
28.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.6%
Carpooled
5.4%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
1.1%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
28.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$115,000
54% above avg
Per Capita Income
$58,094
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
51% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Labor Force Participation
69.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 39.8%
Graduate degree 24.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.8
Male median age 37.5
Female median age 38.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
71.6°F
Avg Low
50.1°F
Annual Precip
50.5"
Annual Snowfall
4.7"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495463738088919084746152
Low °F 303340495866716962503933
Precip" 4.024.474.524.725.024.364.163.793.803.363.864.43
Snow" 2.01.50.70.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
80.7%
Good air days/yr
122
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16:1
Student-teacher ratio
56
Public schools
45,023
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Franklin, TN?

Franklin has a cost index of 184 (100 = national average). It is 84% above the national average.

What is average rent in Franklin, TN?

The median gross rent in Franklin is $1,861 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Franklin?

The median home value in Franklin is $646,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Franklin?

The median household income in Franklin is $115,000 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Franklin, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Franklin is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Franklin, TN affordable?

Franklin is above average in cost of living, with an index of 184 — about 84% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Franklin?

Franklin has average high temperatures of 71.6°F and average lows of 50.1°F. Annual precipitation is 50.5". Average annual snowfall is 4.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Franklin at a Glance

Population
85,575
Median Income
$115,000
Home Value
$646,300
Median Rent
$1,861/mo
Unemployment
2.4%
Avg High Temp
71.6°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
View all cities in Tennessee →
🗺️ County data for Tennessee

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs