Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 287,339 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.3 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 39.9% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 46.9% | 9.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Plano
$57,753
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $57,753 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $507,575 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 31.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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