Side-by-side comparison

Plano vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Plano, Texas and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Plano is approximately 18% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,765/mo in Plano versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Plano vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Plano · Studio

$1,531

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Plano is $305 (25%) higher than Houston

Plano · 1 bedroom

$1,606

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Plano is $327 (26%) higher than Houston

Plano · 2 bedroom

$1,884

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Plano is $355 (23%) higher than Houston

Plano · 3 bedroom

$2,361

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Plano is $323 (16%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Plano vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Plano · Household income

$117,588

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Plano is $44,484 (61%) higher than Houston

Plano · Individual earnings

$61,438

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Plano is $19,700 (47%) higher than Houston

Plano · Per capita

$55,057

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Plano is $15,079 (38%) higher than Houston

Home values in Plano vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Plano · Average home value

$447,600

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Plano is $192,600 (76%) higher than Houston

Plano · Annual property tax

$7,432

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Plano is $3,050 (70%) higher than Houston

Energy in Plano vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Plano · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Plano and Houston are about the same

Plano · Monthly gas

$32

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Plano and Houston are about the same

Plano · Annual total

$2,388

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Plano and Houston are about the same

Healthcare in Plano vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Plano · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Plano and Houston are about the same

Plano · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Plano and Houston are about the same

Plano · Uninsured rate

9.9%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 11.3% (114%) higher than Plano

Taxes in Plano vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Plano · State income tax

0.0%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Plano and Houston are about the same

Plano · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Plano and Houston are about the same

Plano · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Plano and Houston are about the same

Transportation in Plano vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Plano · Average commute

28.1 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston is 0.9 min (3%) higher than Plano

Plano · Drive alone

64.7%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 7.7% (12%) higher than Plano

Plano · Public transit

0.6%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Houston is 1.5% (250%) higher than Plano

Monthly cost estimates in Plano vs Houston

All categories combined.

Plano · Single person

$3,765

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Plano is $580 (18%) higher than Houston

Plano · Couple

$5,550

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Plano is $1,014 (22%) higher than Houston

Plano · Family

$8,169

Houston · Family

$7,187

Plano is $982 (14%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Plano and Houston.

Is Plano or Houston more expensive?

Plano is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,765/mo in Plano, Texas and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Plano and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Plano, Texas is $1,606/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Plano is approximately $327 (26%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Plano or Houston?

Plano has the higher average household income. Plano households earn approximately $117,588 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Plano and Houston

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Plano profile Houston profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.