Franklin, WI vs Waukesha, WI

Waukesha is moderately more affordable than Franklin, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Franklin scores 102 compared to 93 for Waukesha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Franklin can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Franklin is $1,325/month compared to $1,183/month in Waukesha — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukesha is more affordable at $286,600 median vs $343,400.

Median household income in Franklin is $108,342 compared to $81,651 in Waukesha (+32.7%). 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 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Waukesha.