Franklin County's composite score of 70.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a well-balanced livability profile with particular strength in affordability metrics.
2 / 5
Nearly matches Alabama's state average
Franklin's score of 70.5 sits just marginally below Alabama's state average of 70.8, positioning it as a representative solid county within the state. This alignment indicates Franklin captures typical Alabama livability fundamentals effectively.
3 / 5
Tax and housing costs offer genuine value
Franklin excels with a tax score of 92.8 (0.338% effective rate) and cost score of 87.9, reflecting median home values of $128,000 and rents at just $667 monthly. These affordability attributes make Franklin attractive to budget-conscious families and retirees.
4 / 5
Income and risk present mixed signals
Franklin's income score of 17.0 with median household income of $51,493 suggests limited wage opportunities and economic growth potential. The risk score of 32.3 indicates moderate vulnerabilities worth investigating before relocation.
5 / 5
Solid choice for cost-conscious residents
Franklin County suits families prioritizing low housing costs and tax burden over robust income opportunities or rapid community growth. The county delivers predictable, affordable living with moderate risk profiles—ideal for those seeking stability without premium prices.
Franklin County's composite score of 70.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 41%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a well-balanced livability profile with particular strength in affordability metrics.
Nearly matches Alabama's state average
Franklin's score of 70.5 sits just marginally below Alabama's state average of 70.8, positioning it as a representative solid county within the state. This alignment indicates Franklin captures typical Alabama livability fundamentals effectively.
Tax and housing costs offer genuine value
Franklin excels with a tax score of 92.8 (0.338% effective rate) and cost score of 87.9, reflecting median home values of $128,000 and rents at just $667 monthly. These affordability attributes make Franklin attractive to budget-conscious families and retirees.
Income and risk present mixed signals
Franklin's income score of 17.0 with median household income of $51,493 suggests limited wage opportunities and economic growth potential. The risk score of 32.3 indicates moderate vulnerabilities worth investigating before relocation.
Solid choice for cost-conscious residents
Franklin County suits families prioritizing low housing costs and tax burden over robust income opportunities or rapid community growth. The county delivers predictable, affordable living with moderate risk profiles—ideal for those seeking stability without premium prices.
Score breakdown
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🏛92.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Franklin County's effective tax rate of 0.338% aligns closely with the national median, meaning homeowners here face a typical American tax burden relative to property values. The national median property tax is $2,690 annually, while Franklin residents pay $432—lower in absolute dollars due to the county's median home value of $128,000, well below the national figure.
Franklin matches Alabama's statewide average
At 0.338%, Franklin County's effective tax rate is virtually identical to Alabama's state average of 0.339%, positioning the county firmly in the middle of the state's 67 counties. The median property tax of $432 is below the state median of $511, reflecting Franklin's below-average home values.
Franklin's rate is moderate among peers
Franklin's 0.338% rate matches DeKalb exactly and exceeds Elmore (0.264%) and Fayette (0.286%), while falling below Escambia (0.395%), Etowah (0.364%), and Greene (0.488%). For north-central Alabama, Franklin offers a competitive tax environment.
Median Franklin home costs $432 yearly
On a median home value of $128,000, Franklin property owners pay approximately $432 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $568 when including county fees, while those owning outright pay around $324.
Franklin homeowners may be overassessed
If your property tax bill seems steep relative to comparable homes, an appeal could help—many Alabama homeowners are overassessed. File a free reassessment request with your county assessor to verify your home's value.
Franklin's rents align with southern affordability
Franklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% beats Alabama's state average of 18.0%, and monthly rents of $667 run $132 below state median. With median household income of $51,493, Franklin delivers better-than-typical affordability for a county ranking below the national income average of $74,755.
Above-average affordability statewide
Franklin's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Alabama's state average of 18.0%, placing it among the state's stronger markets for rental affordability. The county demonstrates that moderate incomes and controlled rents can work in tandem to ease housing burden.
Solid middle ground among comparable counties
Franklin's $667 rent and 15.5% ratio split the difference between Fayette's exceptional 14.7% and Etowah's strained 18.3%. At $51,493 median income, Franklin sits comfortably between lower-income Escambia ($44,447) and higher-income Elmore ($75,553).
Balanced housing costs for renters and owners
Renters spend $667/month (15.5% of income) while homeowners average $570/month on properties valued at $128,000. Total housing costs consume roughly one-third of household income, maintaining reasonable affordability across both rental and ownership paths.
Franklin suits relocators seeking balanced options
Franklin County works well for households earning $50,000–$52,000 who want affordability without the lowest-cost tradeoffs of rural markets. Compare Franklin's 15.5% rent ratio and $667 monthly rent to neighbors Fayette (14.7%) and DeKalb (16.0%) to fine-tune your relocation choice.
Franklin County's median household income of $51,493 falls 31% below the national median of $74,755. This $23,262 annual gap is typical of rural Alabama counties competing in a service-driven national economy.
Slightly below Alabama average
Franklin's $51,493 median income trails Alabama's state average of $54,196 by 5%, ranking it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Franklin households earn about $2,700 less per year than the typical Alabama resident.
Modest advantage over nearby peers
Franklin's $51,493 edges ahead of Fayette County ($50,733) and DeKalb County ($51,149) but trails Elmore County ($75,553) by $24,060. Franklin sits in the middle of its regional income spectrum.
Reasonable rental and home costs
Franklin's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio signals strong housing affordability for renters. Median home values of $128,000 represent roughly 2.5 years of median household income, remaining accessible for most qualified buyers.
Build incrementally on solid footing
Franklin residents earning $51,493 should maximize employer 401(k) matches and establish automatic monthly transfers to savings accounts. With low housing-cost burdens, even modest investment amounts accumulate meaningfully toward retirement and long-term wealth goals.
Franklin's life expectancy moderately below national
At 71.5 years, Franklin's life expectancy matches the U.S. average exactly. Yet one in four residents (25.5%) report poor or fair health, suggesting many live with chronic disease despite reaching average age.
Slightly below Alabama, with insurance gaps
Franklin's 71.5-year life expectancy is 0.6 years below Alabama's 72.1-year state average. At 13.7% uninsured, the county exceeds the state average of 11.1% by 2.6 percentage points—one of the highest uninsured rates in this set.
Middle-tier outcomes among surrounding counties
Franklin residents live longer than those in Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, and Geneva, but 3.1 years less than Elmore. The county's high uninsured rate sets it apart negatively among its regional peers.
High uninsured rate, limited mental health care
Franklin's 13.7% uninsured rate is among the highest in this county set, leaving many without coverage for preventive care. The county has just 41 primary care providers and only 16 mental health providers per 100,000—both below optimal levels.
Get insured to close care gaps
Franklin's 13.7% uninsured rate means thousands lack access to preventive services. Explore marketplace plans, Medicaid, and employer options at healthcare.gov—coverage is the first step to better health.
Franklin County scores 67.72 with a Relatively Low rating, running slightly above the national average due to elevated tornado and earthquake exposure. The county's geographic position exposes it to multiple hazard types that demand year-round awareness.
Moderate Risk Within Alabama
At 67.72, Franklin's composite score exceeds Alabama's state average of 61.54, placing it in the moderate-risk tier statewide. The county's 93.16 tornado risk ranks among the state's highest, while earthquake exposure at 83.08 reflects its mountain proximity.
Higher Risk Than Most Nearby Counties
Franklin's 67.72 score surpasses safer neighbors like Fayette (38.17) and Geneva (53.37) but trails the highest-risk counties like Etowah (87.34) and DeKalb (80.38). Its tornado risk of 93.16 aligns it with Alabama's most tornado-prone northeast region.
Tornadoes and Earthquakes Pose Major Threats
Tornado risk at 93.16 makes spring and fall severe weather Franklin's primary concern, putting the county near the top statewide for tornado exposure. Earthquakes at 83.08 represent Franklin's secondary hazard, reflecting the county's location near the Cumberland Plateau seismic zone.
Prepare for Tornadoes and Ground Shaking
Franklin residents should prioritize wind insurance and consider adding earthquake coverage given the county's above-average seismic activity. A basement safe room or reinforced shelter offers critical protection during tornado season, and securing heavy furniture to walls helps mitigate earthquake damage to the home's contents and structure.