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

Plano

Texas
132
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Plano is 61% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,792/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 71%
$108,649/yr ↓ 40%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 67%
$440,600 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 312%
$1,829/mo ↓ 39%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 65%
287,339
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Plano, TX and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,273/month cheaper in Plano, saving renters about $15,276/year.

Median household income is $73,213/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Plano is $440,600 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Plano vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Plano or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Plano is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Plano and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Plano is $1,792/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,273/month.
Which city has higher income, Plano or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $108,649 in Plano and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $73,213/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Plano has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,792/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Plano details → View Sunnyvale details →

More Comparisons

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