Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Plano to Phoenix
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, comparing Plano, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, reveals distinct financial and logistical trade-offs. Plano offers a substantially higher median household income of $112,253 compared to Phoenix's $81,332. However, this higher earning potential in Plano is balanced against a higher median gross rent of $1,841 and median owner-occupied home value of $465,900, whereas Phoenix records a lower median gross rent of $1,582 and home value of $420,700. Commute times are nearly identical, with Plano residents averaging 27 minutes and Phoenix residents averaging 28 minutes. Additionally, while Plano's profile excludes state income tax references, Phoenix includes a simplified 2.50% state individual income-tax reference. Both cities utilize a uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250 per month, emphasizing that neither dataset reflects live asking rents, neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → PlanoMoving from Plano to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$259/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$3,108/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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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 → PHX
61/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$12,692after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $3,108 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Plano gross rent$1,841
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Plano | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 290,594 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $112,253 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,841 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $465,900 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Plano and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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 is significantly higher
- Phoenix offers lower median gross rent
- Owner-occupied home values are higher in Plano
- One-way commutes are nearly identical at 27 and 28 minutes
What each city wins
Plano
Rent-to-income ratio suggests rental affordability.. Watch home values may strain affordability despite favorable rental metrics..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do median household incomes compare between Plano and Phoenix?
According to 2024 ACS data, Plano has a median household income of $112,253, whereas Phoenix reports a median household income of $81,332.
What are the housing cost differences in rent and home values?
Plano features a median gross rent of $1,841 and a median owner-occupied home value of $465,900. In contrast, Phoenix has a median gross rent of $1,582 and a median home value of $420,700.
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.