Cost of Living in Franklin, WI

Population 35,751 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

108
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Franklin cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $343,000, rents near $1,325 a month.

Franklin sits roughly 13 miles south of Milwaukee — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 100% higher than Milwaukee's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 113
Rent 101

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

About the Cost of Living in Franklin

The median home value in Franklin is $343,400 — 13% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,325/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $108,342/year is 45% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 57.4°F and lows of 41.3°F, with about 48.7" of annual snowfall. Overall, Franklin has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$343,400
13% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$426,098
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,325/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,722/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 77.8%
Renter-occupied 22.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,325
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,939/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
26.1 min
3% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.4%
Carpooled
7.8%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
15.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$108,342
45% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,764
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor Force Participation
62.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.7%
Graduate degree 15.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.2
Male median age 41.8
Female median age 44.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.4°F
Avg Low
41.3°F
Annual Precip
34.6"
Annual Snowfall
48.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313444556777828074614836
Low °F 172029384858656456453323
Precip" 1.791.692.203.863.544.383.403.653.162.782.241.88
Snow" 14.911.86.72.10.00.00.00.00.00.32.510.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
250
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

89%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
4,782
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Franklin, WI?

Franklin has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.

What is average rent in Franklin, WI?

The median gross rent in Franklin is $1,325 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Franklin?

The median home value in Franklin is $343,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Franklin?

The median household income in Franklin is $108,342 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Franklin, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Franklin is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Franklin, WI affordable?

Franklin is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Franklin?

Franklin has average high temperatures of 57.4°F and average lows of 41.3°F. Annual precipitation is 34.6". Average annual snowfall is 48.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Franklin at a Glance

Population
35,751
Median Income
$108,342
Home Value
$343,400
Median Rent
$1,325/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Avg High Temp
57.4°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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