Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 287,339 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.3 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 62.9% | 53.2% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 16.2% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Plano
$57,753
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $57,753 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 31.2% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.9% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 27.6 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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