Plano TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Plano
53.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 9.1% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 9.0% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 7.2% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 8.9% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $90,685 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $47,372 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.3% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 8.4% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 40.4% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.5% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.8% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.7% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.1% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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