Frisco vs Plano: which is better to live in?
Frisco gets A+ overall and Plano gets A. They finish close to even on our index.
Frisco wins on jobs and income, schools, safety, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access. Plano wins on cost of living, errands and things to do and getting around.
Frisco suits families better, while Plano suits people on a budget better.
Side by side
| Frisco | Plano | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | A+ | A |
| Population | 236,955 | 293,028 |
| Growth since 2020 | +18.2% | +2.6% |
| Median rent | $2,014 | $1,841 |
| Median home value | $642,100 | $465,900 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $4,312 | $3,109 |
| Median household income | $150,212 | $112,253 |
| Property tax per year | $9,572 | $6,700 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 98 | 147 |
| Property crime per 100k | 790 | 1,194 |
| Schools rated A or B | 91% | 75% |
| Average commute | 29 min | 25 min |
| Work from home | 38% | 28% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 68% | 60% |
| Median age | 38.3 years | 39.6 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 93 | 93 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | Moderate |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Frisco | Plano | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | B- (57) | B (65) |
| Jobs and income | A (93) | A- (86) |
| Schools | A (94) | B- (60) |
| Safety | A- (87) | B (70) |
| Errands and things to do | A- (85) | A+ (98) |
| Getting around | F (8) | C- (37) |
| Education levels | A+ (95) | A- (85) |
| Health | A (89) | B+ (78) |
| Home ownership | A- (81) | B- (63) |
| Internet access | A+ (98) | A (90) |
Cost of living
Plano is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Frisco: a median of $2,014 a month, 9% higher than Plano's $1,841.
The median home is worth $642,100 in Frisco and $465,900 in Plano. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $4,312 a month against $3,109, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 4.3 times income in Frisco and 4.2 times in Plano.
Commute and location
Commutes average 29 minutes in Frisco and 25 in Plano.
The two are about 7 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
Frisco has less violent crime. Frisco reported 98 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, and Plano reported 147 in 2025. The Texas rate is 387.
For schools, 91% of Frisco's 67 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 75% of Plano's 67.
Common questions
Is Frisco or Plano better to live in?
They grade about the same overall (A+ vs A). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Frisco cheaper than Plano?
No. Plano has lower typical rent and home prices.
Which is safer, Frisco or Plano?
Frisco, based on violent crime per 100,000 people reported to the FBI.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.