Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 39.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 59.2% | 53.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 9.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $507,575 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Plano
31.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 31.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.6 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA