Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Plano to Houston
Comparing Plano and Houston using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, household economics, and commute times. Plano reports a smaller population of 290,594 alongside a higher median household income of $112,253, higher median gross rent of $1,841, and a median owner-occupied home value of $465,900. Conversely, Houston accommodates a much larger population of 2,328,253 with a lower median household income of $64,813, a lower median gross rent of $1,361, and a median home value of $277,800. Commute durations are broadly comparable at 27 minutes for Plano and 30 minutes for Houston. Neither city provides state income tax rates through the approved Plano profile, though Houston lists a simplified 0.00% reference. With uniform non-housing baselines of $1,250, neither city emerges as a universal winner.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → PlanoMoving from Plano to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$480/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$5,760/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTPLA → HOU
65/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$18,144after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $5,760 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Plano household income$112,253
Houston household income$64,813
Plano gross rent$1,841
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Plano | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 290,594 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $112,253 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,841 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $465,900 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Plano and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Plano median household income versus Houston
- Median gross rent differences between cities
- Owner-occupied home value gap
- Population scale comparison
What each city wins
Plano
Rent-to-income ratio suggests rental affordability.. Watch home values may strain affordability despite favorable rental metrics..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do the population sizes of Plano and Houston compare?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Plano has a population estimate of 290,594, whereas Houston has a much larger population estimate of 2,328,253.
What are the median housing costs in Plano and Houston?
Plano records a median gross rent of $1,841 and a median owner-occupied home value of $465,900. Houston records a median gross rent of $1,361 and a median home value of $277,800.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.