Houston, TX vs Plano, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Plano leads in median household income ($99,936 vs $57,791). Plano leads in school rating (8.5 vs 5.5). Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Plano, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 72.6 (#865) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 287,339 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $499,723 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $99,936 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 39 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Low |
| School Rating | 5.5 | 8.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | R+11.2 |
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →
C-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →