Houston vs Plano
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 15% less expensive than Plano.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓
VS

Plano, TX

COL index105
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,500/mo
Median home price$430K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexPlano indexDifference
Housing118 ✓137+19%
Groceries87 ✓100+13%
Transportation88 ✓100+12%
Healthcare88 ✓102+14%
Utilities89 ✓100+11%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Houston → Plano

What salary in Plano gives you the same purchasing power as your Houston salary?

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in PlanoDifference
$60,000$69,000+$9,000
$80,000$92,000+$12,000
$100,000$115,000+$15,000
$130,000$150,000+$20,000
$150,000$173,000+$23,000
$200,000$231,000+$31,000

Houston vs Plano: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Plano, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 105 for Plano — a difference of approximately 15%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Houston is $290,000, compared to $430,000 in Plano. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,500/month in Plano.

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