Austin vs Plano

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Austin vs Plano

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Plano sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $400,000 in Plano, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,700 in Plano.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Austin scores 96 while Plano scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Plano (100). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $96,348 in Plano. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Austin vs Plano

If you are considering a move between Austin (index: 107) and Plano (index: 109), the 2% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Austin is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month, while the median household in Plano can afford $2,248/month. With median homes at $430,000 in Austin versus $400,000 in Plano, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Austin and $1,700/month in Plano, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Austin (107) vs Plano (109)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Austin at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Plano at 109 is 9% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Austin and Plano land within 2 points of each other on the composite index (107 vs 109), so the overall cost picture is similar. Transportation shows the widest single-category margin at 102 versus 106, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Austin and Plano. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Austin at 123 and Plano at 123 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $430,000 and $400,000 respectively. With nearly identical cost profiles, the deciding factor between Austin and Plano is more likely income potential, career opportunity, or lifestyle preference than raw cost of living.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Austin and $1,700/month in Plano, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $30,000 difference in median home prices between Austin and Plano translates to roughly $1,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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