City Comparison

Plano vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Plano

Texas
109
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$96,348
Median Income

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

28.2%

Living in Tyler costs 28.2% less than Plano. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Plano, you would need $58,486 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
123
Plano
69
Tyler
Groceries
98
Plano
96
Tyler
Utilities
99
Plano
97
Tyler
Transportation
106
Plano
92
Tyler
Healthcare
100
Plano
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Plano has the same purchasing power as $58,486 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $96,176 in Plano.

Living in Plano vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Plano's housing index of 123 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $250,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Plano compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Plano and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Plano vs $456/month in Tyler. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Plano and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Plano vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Plano and 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $96,348 in Plano and $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,393 and $64,471 respectively. Plano residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,248/month to housing in Plano vs $1,279/month in Tyler. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 28.2% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Plano has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,486 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Plano's housing index is 123 with median homes at $400,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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