Allen TX vs Plano TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Allen +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 39.3 | Allen + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 55.7% | 53.2% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 9.0% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Plano
$108,649
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Plano
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Plano
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $108,649 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 7.1% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $507,575 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 56.6% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Plano
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Plano
2339
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.9% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.3% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Allen, TX vs New York, NYAllen, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAllen, TX vs Chicago, ILAllen, TX vs Houston, TXAllen, TX vs Phoenix, AZAllen, TX vs Philadelphia, PA