Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington
Plano, Texas — salaries, cost of living & taxes (2026)
Plano is the suburb that broke through. Once a quiet bedroom community north of Dallas, the addition of Toyota's North American HQ, Liberty Mutual's regional HQ, JPMorgan's massive technology campus, and the Legacy West mixed-use district has made Plano feel like its own city — and one of the highest-income places in Texas.
The job market
Corporate HQs (Toyota, Liberty Mutual, JPMorgan tech, FedEx Office, Tyler Technologies), tech, finance, and professional services. Plano's executive-class job density is unusual for a suburb — a meaningful share of households exceed $200k.
Top industries: Corporate HQs, Technology, Finance, Telecom, Healthcare.
Housing & cost of living
Median home prices above $545k put Plano among the most expensive Texas cities. West Plano (within Plano ISD's top schools) commands premiums; East Plano and parts adjacent to Frisco run more accessible. Property tax effective rates around 2.07%.
Taxes in Plano
8.25% sales tax, no state income tax. Plano homeowners feel the property tax line clearly given the home values — a $700k home runs ~$14,500/year. The income tax savings vs CA/NY for executive-tier earners typically exceeds that easily.
Should you move here?
Best for executive-tier corporate relocators with families prioritizing Plano ISD or Frisco ISD. It's not the destination if you want walkable city living — it's a polished, master-planned, car-dependent suburb that excels at exactly what it is.
What people love: Top-tier suburban schools (Plano ISD), executive-tier salaries, and proximity to North Dallas job centers.
What to watch out for: Home prices rival Austin's, and HOA-driven communities can feel uniform compared to older Texas cities.
Estimate your Plano take-home
Texas charges $0 state income tax, but your federal bill is real. Drop in your salary to see what you keep:
Estimates use 2026 projected federal brackets, the standard deduction for your filing status, and current FICA rates. Texas has no state income tax, so your gross is not reduced by any state withholding.
Frequently asked questions
What's the median household income in Plano?
The median household income in Plano is approximately $110,500. That's a Census ACS estimate; individual neighborhoods vary widely. Higher-income suburbs lift the citywide number significantly.
What's the property tax rate in Plano?
Plano's effective property tax rate is approximately 2.07% — combined city, county, school district, and special-district rates. On a $400,000 home, that's roughly $8,280 per year. File for the homestead exemption to cap annual increases at 10% and lower the school district appraised value.
Does Plano have a city or local income tax?
No. Texas has no state income tax, and no Texas city levies a local income tax on wages. Sales tax in Plano is 8.25%.
How does Plano compare to other Texas cities for cost of living?
Plano's cost of living index is approximately 113 (U.S. average = 100). That's above-average, driven primarily by housing.
Is Plano a good place for remote workers?
Plano works well for remote workers because Texas charges no state income tax. If you work for an out-of-state employer from Plano, your wages are Texas-source and untaxed at the state level — except for cases involving New York's convenience-of-employer rule. See our remote worker guide for details.