Franklin, NC vs Smithfield, NC

Franklin, NC and Smithfield, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Franklin scores 71 while Smithfield scores 70 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Franklin is $738/month compared to $601/month in Smithfield — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Smithfield has cheaper rent, Franklin actually has lower median home values ($190,600 vs $217,000).

Median household income in Franklin is $43,991 compared to $37,827 in Smithfield (+16.3%). While Franklin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Franklin spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Smithfield.