Plano TX vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Plano
9.0%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 135,806 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 53.2% | 49.1% | Plano + |
| Black | 9.0% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $107,474 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.9% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 9.5% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 51.7% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $708,498 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 47.5% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Stamford
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 14.4% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Plano, TX | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 30.1 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, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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