From the outside, Franklin, Tennessee holds obvious charm. Downtown Main Street is one of the most picturesque streets in the country, for instance — a stretch of local businesses, eateries, and boutiques that dress up for every season and welcome visitors with warm Southern hospitality.

It took 120 years for the county's economy to reach pre-war levels. For more than a century, Franklin seemed remote not only from Nashville, but from the rest of the world as well. Today, Franklin is one of the wealthiest cities in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States.

Founded in 1799 and named after Benjamin Franklin. One of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War took place here, bringing thousands of historic tourists each year to visit the site of the Battle of Franklin, Carnton, the Carter House and many other historic locations throughout the City.

The overall cost of living index in Franklin is 139.4, which is about 39.4% higher than the U.S. average and 55.1% higher than the Tennessee average. In comparison, Nashville's cost of living index is 101.4, and Memphis stands at 76.4, making Franklin one of the pricier areas in the state.