Plano TX vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Plano
53.2%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 13.6% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 9.0% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 4.7% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 12.7% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $82,424 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $49,948 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.5% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 11.4% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 52.9% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 51.2% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.6% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.5% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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