Plano TX vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 24.8% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 50.4% | Plano + |
| Black | 9.0% | 5.7% | Plano + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 17.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $104,321 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $54,678 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.9% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 11.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 49.9% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $1,006,261 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 47.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Plano +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Plano +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.5% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.9% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.3% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Plano, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
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 San Diego. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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