Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Plano
28.7%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.3 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 28.7% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 4.2% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 16.2% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 56.6% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 31.2% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
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 503 in Norwalk. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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