Plano vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Plano is 5% less expensive than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Plano, TX

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

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPlano indexAustin indexDifference
Housing137 ✓144+7%
Groceries100 ✓104+4%
Transportation100 ✓105+5%
Healthcare102 ✓107+5%
Utilities100 ✓104+4%

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

Salary equivalency: Plano → Austin

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

Salary in PlanoEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$63,000+$3,000
$80,000$84,000+$4,000
$100,000$105,000+$5,000
$130,000$136,000+$6,000
$150,000$157,000+$7,000
$200,000$210,000+$10,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Plano, TX and Austin, TX, Plano comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 105 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 5%.

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 Plano is $430,000, compared to $520,000 in Austin. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month in Plano versus $1,650/month in Austin.

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