Cost of Living: Plano, TX vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Plano

Texas
132
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Plano and Meridian have a similar cost of living.

$1,792/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↓ 4%
$108,649/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↓ 9%
$440,600 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 10%
$1,829/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 12%
287,339
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Plano, TX and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $78/month cheaper in Meridian, saving renters about $936/year.

Median household income is $9,963/year higher in Plano. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Plano is $440,600 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Plano residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plano vs Meridian — common questions

Is Plano or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Meridian is cheaper to live in with an index of 131 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Plano and Meridian?
Median rent in Plano is $1,792/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $78/month.
Which city has higher income, Plano or Meridian?
Median household income is $108,649 in Plano and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $9,963/year higher in Plano.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Plano or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Plano has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Plano details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

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