Plano TX vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Plano
53.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 19.9% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 9.0% | 6.6% | Plano + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 17.2% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 8.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.2% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $871,599 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 44.3% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Plano +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 15.3% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.0% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Plano, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 28.8 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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