Cost of Living in Plano, TX
Plano is about 20% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Plano at a Glance
No state income tax. That saves a typical household thousands per year compared to states like California (13.3%) or New York (10.9%).
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Plano is the crown jewel of the DFW suburbs: corporate headquarters, top-rated schools, and a median household income above $96,000. Toyota, Liberty Mutual, and JPMorgan Chase have major campuses here. The Legacy West mixed-use development has brought urban character to a suburban city. The cost of living is slightly above the national average, driven by housing. No state income tax applies. Property taxes above 1.85% are the main financial consideration.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Plano
The corporate campuses provide career opportunities that do not require commuting to downtown Dallas. The school system (Plano ISD) is consistently rated among the best in Texas. Legacy West and the Shops at Legacy create walkable dining and entertainment. The ethnic food scene, particularly Asian and Indian, reflects the diverse population. The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve provides green space.
Neighborhoods
Legacy West and the Shops at Legacy are the walkable mixed-use centers. Downtown Plano has been revitalized with restaurants. West Plano has the highest-end housing. East Plano is more affordable and diverse. Allen and McKinney to the north offer lower prices.
Things to Consider
Property taxes above 1.85% on a $440,000 home mean roughly $8,140/year. The city is suburban and car-dependent despite the mixed-use developments. Summer heat exceeds 100°F. The suburb can feel homogeneous. Housing costs have risen above the DFW average.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plano
Both. Plano has 290,000 people, major corporate headquarters, and its own identity. But it functions as part of the DFW metro and most people consider it a suburb of Dallas. The corporate campuses have given Plano an economic independence that many suburbs lack.
Plano ISD is consistently rated among the best in Texas. Plano Senior High and Plano West Senior High have strong academic programs. The district is diverse and well-funded. School quality is the primary reason many families choose Plano over other DFW suburbs.
High. Plano's effective rate exceeds 1.85%, typical for Texas suburbs with good schools. On a $440,000 home, the annual property tax is roughly $8,140. This is how Texas funds schools and services without an income tax.