Plano, TX, known as 'The City of Excellence,' offers a unique blend of suburban charm and modern urban amenities. Located in northern Texas, Plano is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Dallas and Fort Worth enhance its status as a central point in the region. Plano's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Plano is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Heritage Farmstead Museum, the historic Downtown Plano, and the scenic Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve to the bustling The Shops at Legacy, known for its shopping and dining. Plano's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Tex-Mex cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Plano Balloon Festival and the Plano International Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Plano's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Texas at Dallas contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Plano is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Courtyard Theater and the ArtCentre of Plano are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Plano provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Plano’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like FC Dallas (MLS), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Plano include technology, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Toyota North America and J.C. Penney driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient for residents.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Cost Of Living
Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.
Plano is a large city located in the state of Texas. The city has a population of 288,870 people. In Plano, there are 4,030 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Plano your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 27 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Plano, Texas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Plano and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Texas and national averages.
Using data and statistics Plano has received a livability score of 84/100. This score is ranked in the 98th percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the national average, Plano ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Plano also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Plano has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (B), crime (A-), education (A), employment (A+) and housing (A+).
If you're considering living in Plano, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Plano provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Angelika Film Center, Prestonwood Baptist Church, and Historic Downtown Plano.
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Plano, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 158 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Plano market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Plano is real estate affordability. The median home price for Plano homes is $341,800, which is 139.5% higher than the Texas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Plano, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 38.5% higher than the Texas average.
| Statistic | Plano | Texas | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.9% | 80.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.2% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.2% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.6% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Texas
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Texas
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Texas
Safest Cities In The US