Kent vs Plano
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
Plano
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.7%, with Plano being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to $59,672 in Plano.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $59,672 in Plano.
Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $94,266 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs Plano
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $400,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $466/month in Plano. Plano offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 100 in Plano. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $88,393 respectively. Plano residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $2,248/month in Plano. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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