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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,457 per month in Salem, MA vs $3,213 in Franklin, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,733 per month in Salem, MA vs $4,373 in Franklin, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,008 per month in Salem, MA vs $5,532 in Franklin, TN, rent included.

Salem, MA costs about 8% more than Franklin, TN, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Salem, MA and Franklin, TN sit above the global median – Salem, MA by 158%, Franklin, TN by 140%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.21 $25.21

$27.86 $27.86

-9.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.4 $98.4

$81.3 $81.3

21.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.92 $10.92

$11.59 $11.59

-5.78%

Cappuccino

$5.15 $5.15

$6.90 $6.90

-25.36%

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

$2.55 $2.55

$3.24 $3.24

-21.30%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.49 $2.49

-14.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.88 $7.88

$7.54 $7.54

4.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.16 $7.16

$7.97 $7.97

-10.16%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.34 $1.34

-5.22%

White Bread (500g)

$4.44 $4.44

$3.91 $3.91

13.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.81 $8.81

$4.39 $4.39

100.68%

Eggs

$4.35 $4.35

$5.61 $5.61

-22.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.15 $14.15

$15.15 $15.15

-6.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.12 $14.12

$11.54 $11.54

22.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.71 $8.71

$15.24 $15.24

-42.85%

Apples (1kg)

$4.68 $4.68

$3.92 $3.92

19.39%

Banana (1kg)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.98 $1.98

-35.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.33 $3.33

$4.36 $4.36

-23.62%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.58 $4.58

$4.81 $4.81

-4.78%

Potato (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$1.99 $1.99

115.58%

Onion (1kg)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.15 $2.15

9.30%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.54 $2.54

-1.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.52 $3.52

$2.10 $2.10

67.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.84 $9.84

$9.86 $9.86

-0.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.96 $12.96

$13.24 $13.24

-2.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.80 $1.80

-1.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.83 $6.83

$3.45 $3.45

97.97%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.42 $2.42

$0.97 $0.97

149.48%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.7 $54.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.49 $3.49

$3.48 $3.48

0.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.60 $1.60

-0.63%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.75 $29.75

$29.02 $29.02

2.52%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.81 $0.81

27.16%

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

$29.0K $29.0K

$29.1K $29.1K

-0.27%

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$25.1K $25.1K

2.60%

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

$168 $168

$211 $211

-20.40%

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

$88.5 $88.5

$118 $118

-25.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.6 $82.6

$75.6 $75.6

9.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.84 $41.84

$42.00 $42.00

-0.38%

Cinema Ticket

$14.92 $14.92

$16.19 $16.19

-7.84%

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

$1,277 $1,277

$394 $394

224.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$23.3K $23.3K

1.87%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.1 $72.1

$49.46 $49.46

45.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.9 $56.9

$63.9 $63.9

-10.95%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.0 $96.0

$76.1 $76.1

26.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 $102

$109 $109

-6.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,386 $2,386

$1,767 $1,767

35.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,945 $1,945

$1,807 $1,807

7.65%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,694 $3,694

$2,748 $2,748

34.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,874 $2,874

$2,397 $2,397

19.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,712 $2,712

$2,759 $2,759

-1.71%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,370 $2,370

$2,819 $2,819

-15.92%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,495 $9,495

$6,106 $6,106

55.51%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.45

0.93%

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

Last update for Salem, MA: April 20, 2026

Last update for Franklin, TN: April 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,386 in Salem, MA versus $1,767 in Franklin, TN. 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 56% higher in Salem, MA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98 in Salem, MA versus $81 in Franklin, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $435 vs $402 – making Franklin, TN the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,457 in Salem, MA, $3,213 in Franklin, TN – roughly 8% apart. Salem, MA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,186 per month in Salem, MA and $4,819 in Franklin, TN. 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,457 in Salem, MA and $3,213 in Franklin, TN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,277 per month in Salem, MA and $394 in Franklin, TN. 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 $3,457 in Salem, MA and $3,213 in Franklin, TN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Salem, MA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,213 in Franklin, TN to $3,457 in Salem, MA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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