Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Carrollton +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.3 | Carrollton + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 52.1% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 9.2% | 9.0% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 16.2% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Plano
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Plano
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.1% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 7.1% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $507,575 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 56.6% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Plano
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Plano
2339
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
32.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 27.6 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
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