A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
34%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Franklin Ohio National
Cost of living9092100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care10798100
Housing6673100
Transportation95100100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Franklin, OH

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Franklin is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Franklin is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Is Franklin Affordable?

Is Franklin affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Franklin, for instance, where the median home price falls 41.3% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 16% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Franklin flaunting a median household income of $48,018, 13.2% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Franklin?

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Franklin, the utilities index is 1.8% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Franklin, the general sales tax rate starts at 5.75%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Franklin cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Franklin is 2% lower than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Franklin is 10% lower than the national average
  • Franklin housing is 34% lower than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 6% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Franklin

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Compare Franklin, OH Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$66,056$5,505$1,541$1,982
      Renters$31,827$2,652$743$955
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Franklin, OH, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Franklin, homeowners have a median income of $66,056. Using that number, a maximum of $1,541 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $31,827, which means there is a maximum of $743 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 2.76% 3.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.00$24.2613.4%
      Beauty Salon $43.31$45.564.9%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.5%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.5%
      Movie $12.84$12.135.8%
      Bowling $16.32$18.009.3%

      Groceries

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.04$5.843.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.69$1.577.2%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.2%
      Potatoes $5.19$4.935.1%
      Pizza $13.11$12.098.5%
      Beer $10.57$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $108.50$125.6813.7%
      Doctor $152.25$135.7812.1%
      Dentist $122.07$113.297.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.62$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $511.48$468.609.2%

      Housing

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Home Price $108,400.00$184,700.0041.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,810.14$2,346.6922.9%
      Apartment Rent $797.00$949.0016.0%

      Transportation

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.24$3.466.3%
      Tire Balancing $58.06$59.923.1%

      Utilities

      Item Franklin National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $202.76$193.994.5%
      Phone $186.57$192.253.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Centerville village, OH698118.9%
      Drexel, OH2,3208218.4%
      West Elkton, OH1168514.6%
      New Lebanon, OH3,8868713.0%
      New Miami, OH2,5348811.6%
      Franklin, OH11,8789010.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Eufaula, AL11,8788812.0%
      Gold Canyon, AZ11,87512221.7%
      Port Washington, WI11,8811043.7%
      Garden City, ID11,8731087.6%
      Webb City, MO11,8848613.8%
      Franklin, OH11,8789010.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.