Plano vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 13% more affordable than Plano.

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

Houston, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPlano indexHouston indexDifference
Housing137118 ✓-19%
Groceries10087 ✓-13%
Transportation10088 ✓-12%
Healthcare10288 ✓-14%
Utilities10089 ✓-11%

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

Salary equivalency: Plano → Houston

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

Salary in PlanoEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$52,000$-8,000
$80,000$69,000$-11,000
$100,000$87,000$-13,000
$130,000$113,000$-17,000
$150,000$130,000$-20,000
$200,000$173,000$-27,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Plano, TX and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 105 for Plano — a difference of approximately 13%.

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 $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month in Plano versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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