Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Franklin, TN and Salem, MA

For one person, living is cheaper in Franklin, TN: $3,122 a month against $3,554 in Salem, MA, rent and utilities included – about $5,200 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Salem, MA outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

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Cost of Living Index in Salem, MA
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Salem, MA Living Index

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Franklin, TN

🇺🇸 United States

$3,122

/mo nomad

Salem, MA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,554

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Franklin, TN and in Salem, MA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Franklin, TN and in Salem, MA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,122 per month in Franklin, TN vs $3,554 in Salem, MA, rent included.

Franklin, TN $3,122
Salem, MA $3,554

A couple spends around $4,506 per month in Franklin, TN vs $4,918 in Salem, MA, rent included.

Franklin, TN $4,506
Salem, MA $4,918

A family of three spends $5,889 per month in Franklin, TN vs $6,282 in Salem, MA, rent included.

Franklin, TN $5,889
Salem, MA $6,282

Franklin, TN is about 12% cheaper than Salem, MA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Franklin, TN and Salem, MA sit above the global median – Franklin, TN by 129%, Salem, MA by 161%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$28.12 $28.12

$25.21 $25.21

11.54%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.3 $87.3

$101 $101

-13.31%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$10.89 $10.89

9.27%

Cappuccino

$7.33 $7.33

$4.95 $4.95

48.08%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.37 $3.37

$2.48 $2.48

35.89%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$2.13 $2.13

7.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.55 $7.55

$7.90 $7.90

-4.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$7.01 $7.01

15.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.31 $1.31

$1.26 $1.26

3.97%

White Bread (500g)

$3.81 $3.81

$3.61 $3.61

5.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

Eggs

$5.71 $5.71

$4.43 $4.43

28.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.47 $15.47

$12.51 $12.51

23.66%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.84 $17.84

$11.34 $11.34

57.32%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.95 $16.95

Apples (1kg)

$3.94 $3.94

$4.71 $4.71

-16.35%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.58 $1.58

22.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.40 $4.40

Tomato (1kg)

$4.68 $4.68

Potato (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.79 $2.79

-29.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.93 $2.93

-27.30%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.51 $2.51

-1.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.46 $9.46

$9.56 $9.56

-1.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.87 $12.87

$15.25 $15.25

-15.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.22 $2.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 $0.98

$2.24 $2.24

-56.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.0 $61.0

$59.6 $59.6

2.31%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.47 $3.47

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 $1.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.75 $26.75

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.88 $0.88

-1.14%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.1K $28.1K

$24.5K $24.5K

14.70%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.2K $27.2K

$22.9K $22.9K

18.92%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$214 $214

$193 $193

10.68%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$116 $116

$58.4 $58.4

98.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.5 $90.5

$65.7 $65.7

37.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$58.6 $58.6

$42.42 $42.42

38.12%

Cinema Ticket

$16.06 $16.06

$14.78 $14.78

8.66%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$397 $397

$1,423 $1,423

-72.08%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.9K $21.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$98.6 $98.6

$85.3 $85.3

15.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.7 $63.7

$57.1 $57.1

11.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.6 $75.6

$97.7 $97.7

-22.70%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$98.3 $98.3

13.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,924 $1,924

$2,353 $2,353

-18.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,677 $1,677

$2,164 $2,164

-22.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,203 $3,203

$3,963 $3,963

-19.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,711 $2,711

$3,088 $3,088

-12.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,526 $3,526

$2,802 $2,802

25.87%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,932 $2,932

$2,303 $2,303

27.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,239 $6,239

$9,667 $9,667

-35.46%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.59

6.57

0.30%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Franklin, TN: October 25, 2026

Last update for Salem, MA: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Franklin, TN

–

Salem, MA

$2.2K 60.9%

Groceries & Markets

Franklin, TN

–

Salem, MA

$402 11.3%

Eating Out

Franklin, TN

–

Salem, MA

$366 10.3%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Franklin, TN

–

Salem, MA

$317 8.9%

Clothing & Footwear

Franklin, TN

–

Salem, MA

$152 4.3%

Getting Around

Franklin, TN

–

Salem, MA

$81 2.3%

Sport & Entertainment

Franklin, TN

–

Salem, MA

$72 2%

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,924 in Franklin, TN versus $2,353 in Salem, MA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 55% higher in Salem, MA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $87 in Franklin, TN versus $101 in Salem, MA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $287 vs $402 – making Franklin, TN the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Franklin, TN

🇺🇸 Salem, MA

🕒 Local time

01:38 1:38 AM

02:38 2:38 AM

1 h ahead of Franklin, TN

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

83,454

155,469

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.893 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Franklin, TN Salem, MA 1,560 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Franklin, TN
Salem, MA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Franklin, TN vs Salem, MA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,122 in Franklin, TN, $3,554 in Salem, MA – Franklin, TN comes out roughly 12% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,683 per month in Franklin, TN and $5,332 in Salem, MA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Franklin, TN, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,924 there versus $2,353 in Salem, MA.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,122 in Franklin, TN and $3,554 in Salem, MA. That makes Franklin, TN about 12% cheaper.

Kindergarten costs $397 per month in Franklin, TN and $1,423 in Salem, MA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,122 in Franklin, TN and $3,554 in Salem, MA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Franklin, TN – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

If budget matters most, go with Franklin, TN. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Salem, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.