Plano TX vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Plano
53.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 186,419 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 13.9% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 9.0% | 7.8% | Plano + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 9.5% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $77,643 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $42,371 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.7% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 49.5% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 41.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Plano +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.6% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.7% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.3% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.1% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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