There are a lot of good reasons for moving to Plano, TX. The cost of living in this city is lower than in most similar cities. You could land a fantastic job at the headquarters of corporate giants like Frito-Lay, Bank of America, or PepsiCo. Many of the schools for the area are top-rated, making it a great place to raise a family. Need we go on?
We aren’t alone in making this assessment. Plano took fifth place on Niche.com’s list of the best places to live in the U.S. for 2020, and WalletHub thinks it’s the second happiest place in America. If you’re ready to find out why, this guide can help provide the insights you need. Read on to learn more.
Cost-of-Living: Plano vs. Fort Wayne, IN and New York City, NY
Fort Wayne, IN has one of the lowest cost-of-living averages in the United States, with the most common expenses coming in at well below the mean. On the other end of the spectrum is New York City, with one of the highest. In the grand scheme of things, Plano, TX is lucky enough to have a cost of living that’s closer to that of Fort Wayne than New York.
The chart below compares some typical charges you might encounter in the three cities and how they stand up to the rest of the nation.
|
Expense |
National Average |
Fort Wayne, IN |
New York City, NY |
Plano, TX |
|
Average Monthly Rent |
$1,730.00 |
$1,025.00 |
$3,320.00 |
$1,186.00 |
|
Average Power Bill |
$109.00 |
$155.00 |
$210.00 |
$164.00 |
|
Gas per Gallon |
$2.63 |
$2.50 |
$2.83 |
$2.19 |
|
Loaf of Bread |
$2.47 |
$1.96 |
$3.36 |
$2.42 |
|
Gallon of Milk |
$3.21 |
$2.04 |
$4.42 |
$2.50 |
|
A Dozen Eggs |
$2.36 |
$1.03 |
$3.46 |
$1.84 |
|
Monthly Child Care |
$1,157.00 |
$628.00 |
$2,845.00 |
$825.00 |
|
Total Average |
$3,006.67 |
$1,815.53 |
$6,389.07 |
$2,183.95 |
Note that in most cases, Plano’s expense amounts fall almost 25% below the national average but are still 5 to 20% more than that of Fort Wayne. The one significant exception is current gas prices, with rates about 12% more expensive in Fort Wayne than in Plano.
The basic message is this: If you’re moving from New York City, staying in Plano might feel like life on Easy Street. In fact, you might feel as though you’re getting a break moving from most places in the United States to Plano. Those moving from Fort Wayne, though, may have to make some adjustments and should prepare themselves for a more expensive cost of living.
Moving to Plano Presents Major Job Opportunities
Plano has earned its nickname, “A great place to do business.” The minimum wage in Plano, TX matches the same $7.25 per hour allotted by the federal government, but the state still has an impressive average salary of $76,000 per year. This may have something to do with the powerful array of companies that have regional offices headquartered in Plano.
Look for recognizable brand names like:
- Intuit
- Pizza Hut
- Bank of America
- PepsiCo
- McAfee
- Frito-Lay
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- FedEx Office
- NTT DATA (Better recognized as Dell Services)
Plano also expects new companies to arrive in the area soon. Toyota Motor North America has opted to build their regional office in the city, and JPMorgan Chase and Liberty Mutual Insurance will have regional offices in the area too.
With digital giants like Intuit, McAfee, Hewlett Packard, and Dell falling into the mix, it should come as no surprise that software engineer and software developer top the list as the most popular positions found in Plano.
Plano, TX Communities
If you’re moving to Plano, TX there’s plenty of great neighborhoods to pick from:
Avignon Windhaven
Located in West Plano, this 200+ home community is an ideal location for families. It’s close to the Dallas North Tollway and many other major highways so getting to work or school is quick and easy.
Timberbrook
Located in Collin Country, Timberbrook is considered to be one of the best places to live in Texas. It provides a suburban feel with plenty of parks, restaurants, and coffee shops to enjoy. For families, the Timberbrook public schools are rated highly.
Whiffletree
One of the most popular neighborhoods in Plano, Whiffletree is a beautiful neighborhood located near ponds, parks, shopping centers, and major highways. The homeowner’s association provides plenty of opportunities to meet the neighbors by organizing block parties with activities for kids and adults.
Convenient Ways to Get Around Plano, TX
Plano’s proximity to Dallas, TX affords it some impressive benefits without a lot of the hassles stemming from big city life. One of those perks is its public transportation system, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which services the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex area.
This extensive network consists of light rail and bus services that spider-web their way through Dallas and west to Fort Worth. Use the local systems to access downtown Dallas and suburban areas like Collin County, Garland, Frisco, and Carrollton. Take Trinity Railway Express (TRE) or the express buses for a trip into the Fort Worth metroplex.
It’s easy to access public transportation in Plano. Get on the DART light rail at the station located on 15th Street or pick it up on Parker Road. If you like buses, choose between the station at the corner of 15th Street and Coit Road to the west or the station off of U.S. 75 on Archerwood Street to the east.
Those preferring to drive themselves can take U.S. Highway 75 south to downtown Dallas or north to Oklahoma. President George Bush Turnpike runs east to west through Garland and Carrollton. With all of the corporations in the area, traffic congestion can be an issue, but thanks to the city’s efforts to improve the area’s public transportation options, there are still convenient ways to get around.
Things to do in Plano
It’s hard to get bored in Plano. There’s a wide range of restaurants to choose from, tons of shops, and loads of unique ways to have fun.
Find restaurants with a variety of ethnic themes, including Brazilian cuisine at 12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse, Italian delicacies from Bellagreen, and gaucho-style cooking with Fogo de Chao. If you’re looking for something with a more American palate, pay a visit to Fuddruckers, a popular burger joint with national acclaim.
When you’re ready for a shopping trip, there are plenty of places to spend the day. Head to the historic district to peruse an eclectic collection of shops. The historic downtown area also features the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve in the Arts District, where you can climb and zipline your way through the canopy.
Looking for something a little more mainstream? Try The Shops at Willow Bend, featuring more than 100 boutiques and eateries. While you’re there, take the kids to the Crayola Experience for a colorful time they’ll remember for years to come.
The Collin Creek Mall not only has some great places to shop, but it also hosts many of the area’s events. Ask them about their schedule to find more ways to connect with your new community.
The Gift of the Plano Independent School District
Plano residents take school seriously. There are 23 National Blue Ribbon Schools in the Plano Independent School District (PISD), and all of them hold stellar ratings for all educational benchmarks. This school district also claims the “What Parents Want Award” from SchoolMatch, an honor they’ve been given every year for the last 20 years. Additionally, PISD has an average graduation rate of 95% with an average SAT score of 1280.
Across the nation, about 20% of high school graduates take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams to gain credits toward college. At Plano West Senior High School, a little more than 60% of attendees take advantage of AP coursework. This school ranks number 628 out of 3,240 Texas high schools, putting them in the top 20th percentile for the state.
Upon graduating, students of PISD have 25 regional universities and colleges, including Collin College and the University of Texas at Dallas, from which to choose. Earn a degree or certificate in one of 17 fields of study from Collin College, or access a multitude of higher-education options through the University of Texas.
Plano Cures What Ails You
Moving to Plano could fall into the same category as making a health-conscious decision. Ten hospitals serving the community provide some of the best healthcare opportunities in the United States. Plano’s healthcare system offers an abundance of general practitioners, but their specialist systems are where they shine.
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center features a Cancer and Health Wellness Center, and, in 2019, it received certification to act as a Level 1 comprehensive stroke center. Additionally, the Heart Hospital Plano from Baylor Scott and White is the only hospital in northern Texas to fully dedicate its resources to heart and vascular health.
As one of the largest pediatric healthcare providers in the U.S., Children’s Medical Center Plano takes care of the city’s youngsters. This facility features a 155-acre green space to help facilitate spiritual and emotional healing for patients and families alike. The Texas Back Institute is at least as impressive, coming in as the largest educational spine center in the world.
Handpick Utility Providers in Plano, TX
Texas likes to provide its residents with the power of choice. The state did this for electric services by deregulating power for most of the state in 2002, and soon a host of competitively-priced utility providers filled the market. The Lone Star State is the only state that uses a self-contained power grid from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to protect families and corporations from power blackouts and brownouts. Texas also uses a variety of fuel resources, like natural gas, coal, nuclear, and wind, to generate an energy reserve that further protects its residents.
For phone services, the possibilities are almost endless. The Public Utility Commission of Texas requires area phone service providers to offer affordable rates for access to big-name Inter-Exchange Carriers (IXCs) like Time Warner, CenturyLink, AT&T, and Sprint. Almost 90% of homes in Plano have a broadband connection, and, with the help of AT&T and Frontier, many have access to a fiber optics-driven network.
Plano denizens can also pick between Atmos Energy and CoServ Gas for their natural gas needs. The one utility provider residents don’t get to select themselves is their water company, but this may be a good thing. The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMD) works hard to provide inhabitants with safe, high-quality drinking water that’s consistent and reliable.
Need Support for Your Big Move?
If you’re thinking about moving to Plano, TX, it’s time to start building a support network to help you get settled in. A self-storage unit centrally located between your home and the places you frequent can make all the difference during a move. Consider self storage for additional vehicle parking, a sorting hub, or even as a fortress of solitude when you need some alone time.
Our facilities dot the Plano landscape, making it easy to find the perfect location for you. Check out our storage locator to discover more about the amenities we have to offer, including climate-controlled units, 24-7 video recording, month-to-month lease options, and more.
When you’re ready to seal the deal, reach out to our award-winning customer service team for details about what we offer for your relocation to Plano. We’re always here to help.
