Plano TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Plano
9.0%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 19.0% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 51.8% | Plano + |
| Black | 9.0% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 4.8% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $71,302 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $49,513 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.7% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 15.9% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 44.6% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 50.2% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 31.9% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 17.4% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.9% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.6% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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