Last update: Oct 2026

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

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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Salem, MA

🇺🇸 United States

$3,554

/mo nomad

Franklin, TN

🇺🇸 United States

$3,122

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salem, MA costs about 14% more than Franklin, TN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.21 $25.21

$28.12 $28.12

-10.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$87.3 $87.3

15.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.89 $10.89

$11.90 $11.90

-8.49%

Cappuccino

$4.95 $4.95

$7.33 $7.33

-32.47%

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

$2.48 $2.48

$3.37 $3.37

-26.41%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.29 $2.29

-6.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.90 $7.90

$7.55 $7.55

4.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.01 $7.01

$8.07 $8.07

-13.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.31 $1.31

-3.82%

White Bread (500g)

$3.61 $3.61

$3.81 $3.81

-5.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

Eggs

$4.43 $4.43

$5.71 $5.71

-22.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.51 $12.51

$15.47 $15.47

-19.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.34 $11.34

$17.84 $17.84

-36.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.95 $16.95

Apples (1kg)

$4.71 $4.71

$3.94 $3.94

19.54%

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.93 $1.93

-18.13%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.40 $4.40

Tomato (1kg)

$4.68 $4.68

Potato (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.97 $1.97

41.62%

Onion (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.13 $2.13

37.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.47 $2.47

1.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.56 $9.56

$9.46 $9.46

1.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.25 $15.25

$12.87 $12.87

18.49%

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)

$2.24 $2.24

$0.98 $0.98

128.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.6 $59.6

$61.0 $61.0

-2.26%

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)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.87 $0.87

1.15%

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

$24.5K $24.5K

$28.1K $28.1K

-12.82%

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

$22.9K $22.9K

$27.2K $27.2K

-15.91%

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

$193 $193

$214 $214

-9.65%

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

$58.4 $58.4

$116 $116

-49.65%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.7 $65.7

$90.5 $90.5

-27.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.42 $42.42

$58.6 $58.6

-27.60%

Cinema Ticket

$14.78 $14.78

$16.06 $16.06

-7.97%

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

$1,423 $1,423

$397 $397

258.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.9K $21.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$85.3 $85.3

$98.6 $98.6

-13.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.1 $57.1

$63.7 $63.7

-10.29%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.7 $97.7

$75.6 $75.6

29.36%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.3 $98.3

$112 $112

-12.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,353 $2,353

$1,924 $1,924

22.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,164 $2,164

$1,677 $1,677

29.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,963 $3,963

$3,203 $3,203

23.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,088 $3,088

$2,711 $2,711

13.89%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,802 $2,802

$3,526 $3,526

-20.55%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,303 $2,303

$2,932 $2,932

-21.46%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,667 $9,667

$6,239 $6,239

54.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.57

6.59

-0.30%

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

Last update for Salem, MA: October 26, 2026

Last update for Franklin, TN: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Accommodation & Living

Salem, MA

$2.2K 60.9%

Franklin, TN

–

Groceries & Markets

Salem, MA

$402 11.3%

Franklin, TN

–

Eating Out

Salem, MA

$366 10.3%

Franklin, TN

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Salem, MA

$317 8.9%

Franklin, TN

–

Clothing & Footwear

Salem, MA

$152 4.3%

Franklin, TN

–

Getting Around

Salem, MA

$81 2.3%

Franklin, TN

–

Sport & Entertainment

Salem, MA

$72 2%

Franklin, TN

–

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,353 in Salem, MA versus $1,924 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 55% higher in Salem, MA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Good to know

🇺🇸 Salem, MA

🇺🇸 Franklin, TN

🕒 Local time

23:45 11:45 PM

22:45 10:45 PM

1 h behind Salem, MA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

155,469

83,454

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

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

From you

Salem, MA
Franklin, TN

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

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

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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,332 per month in Salem, MA and $4,683 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,924 there versus $2,353 in Salem, MA.

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

Kindergarten costs $1,423 per month in Salem, MA and $397 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 $3,554 in Salem, MA and $3,122 in Franklin, TN. 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.