Quick answer
Plano costs $110/month less overall ($1,865 vs $1,975/mo). Plano also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.5%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Plano vs Raleigh
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Plano vs Raleigh at a Glance
| Metric | Plano | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 ✓ | $1,860 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 ✓ | $1,860 |
| Median Home Price | $475K | $420K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $310 ✓ | $350 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,865 ✓ | $1,975 |
| Walk Score | 58/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 28/100 ✓ | 25/100 |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 4.5% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Plano's 1BR averages $1,400/month vs $1,480 in Raleigh — a $80/month difference, or $960/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Plano charges None state income tax vs 4.5% in Raleigh. On an $80K salary that's a $3,600/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,400 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Raleigh are $420K vs $475K in Plano. At a 20% down payment, that's a $11,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Plano utilities run $10 more per month than Raleigh. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Plano, TX
Plano is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Raleigh, NC
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Raleigh. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Plano
Hot, humid subtropical. Summers (June-September) reach 95-98°F with 60-70% humidity. Winters are mild (50-65°F). Occasional ice storms; severe thunderstorms and tornado risk May-June.
Raleigh
Four mild seasons; hot humid summers (heat index 100–105°F in July), light winters, excellent spring and fall
Job Market
Plano top industries
Raleigh top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Plano if…
- →You're a Tech workers
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Families seeking suburbs
- →You're a People avoiding state income tax
- →You want zero state income tax
Move to Raleigh if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a biotech / pharma professionals
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a young families
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plano or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Plano is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,865 in Plano vs $1,975 in Raleigh — a $110/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Plano or Raleigh?
Plano is more walkable with a Walk Score of 58/100 vs 34/100. Raleigh is more car-dependent.
Plano vs Raleigh: which has lower state income tax?
Plano has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,600/year vs Raleigh (4.5%).
Is Plano or Raleigh better for buying a home?
Raleigh has lower median home prices at $420K vs $475K in Plano — a $55,000 difference on the median home.