Cost of Living: Plano, TX vs Palmdale, CA (2026)

Plano

Texas
132
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Plano and Palmdale have a similar cost of living.

$1,792/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↓ 3%
$108,649/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↓ 25%
$440,600 ↑ 1%
Home Value
$435,300 ↓ 1%
$1,829/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ≈ Same
287,339
Population
165,487

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Plano, TX and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $56/month cheaper in Palmdale, saving renters about $672/year.

Median household income is $27,498/year higher in Plano. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Plano is $440,600 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Plano residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plano vs Palmdale — common questions

Is Plano or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palmdale is cheaper to live in with an index of 130 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Plano and Palmdale?
Median rent in Plano is $1,792/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $56/month.
Which city has higher income, Plano or Palmdale?
Median household income is $108,649 in Plano and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $27,498/year higher in Plano.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Plano or Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Plano has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Plano details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Plano and Palmdale

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