Plano vs Phoenix
Cost of Living (2026)

Phoenix is 5% more affordable than Plano. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Arizona's 2.5%.

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

Phoenix, AZ

COL index100 ✓
State income tax2.5%
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo ✓
Median home price$395K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPlano indexPhoenix indexDifference
Housing137130 ✓-7%
Groceries10095 ✓-5%
Transportation10096 ✓-4%
Healthcare10297 ✓-5%
Utilities10096 ✓-4%

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

Salary equivalency: Plano → Phoenix

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

Salary in PlanoEquivalent in PhoenixDifference
$60,000$59,000$-1,000
$80,000$79,000$-1,000
$100,000$99,000$-1,000
$130,000$128,000$-2,000
$150,000$148,000$-2,000
$200,000$197,000$-3,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Plano, TX and Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 100 versus 105 for Plano — a difference of approximately 5%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Plano workers an immediate 2.5% take-home pay advantage over Phoenix workers who pay Arizona's 2.5% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Plano is $430,000, compared to $395,000 in Phoenix. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month in Plano versus $1,450/month in Phoenix.

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