Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Raleigh-Cary, NC

Cost of living in Franklin County, NC

Part of the Raleigh Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,628/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 71,962 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,592 44%
Federal tax $512 14%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $327 9%
Transport $320 9%
Energy $187 5%
State tax $155 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Franklin County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,533
per month
1 bedroom
$1,592
per month
2 bedroom
$1,763
per month
3 bedroom
$2,192
per month
4 bedroom
$2,961
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Franklin County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$71,386
per year
Individual earnings
$41,386
per year
Per capita
$33,957
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Franklin County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$240,900
Annual property tax
$1,732

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Franklin County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Franklin County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Franklin County

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Franklin County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
34.4 min
Drive alone
79.6%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
10.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Franklin County

What it costs to live in Franklin County each month.

Single person
$3,628
per month
  • Rent $1,592
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $512
  • State tax $155
Couple
$4,984
per month
  • Rent $1,763
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $838
  • State tax $268
Family
$7,545
per month
  • Rent $2,192
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $838
  • State tax $268

Frequently asked questions about Franklin County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Franklin County?

In Franklin County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,592 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,763 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,192 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Franklin County?

In Franklin County, NC, the average household income is $71,386 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,386 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Franklin County?

The estimated cost of living in Franklin County, NC is approximately $3,628 per month for a single person, $4,984 for a couple, $7,545 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Franklin County?

The combined sales tax rate in Franklin County, NC is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Franklin County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Franklin County, NC would need approximately $3,628 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $71,386 per year ($5,949 per month). Franklin County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Franklin County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Franklin County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Franklin County?

The average home value in Franklin County, NC is $240,900, with average annual property taxes of $1,732, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Franklin County compare to other areas?

You can compare Franklin County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Franklin County is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Franklin County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources