Plano, TX vs Santa Clara, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Santa Clara
65.7
#1617 nationally
Plano leads in cost of living index (107 vs 241). Santa Clara leads in median household income ($165,352 vs $99,936). Santa Clara leads in walk score (58 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Plano, TX | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.6 (#865) | 65.7 (#1617) |
| Population | 287,339 | 131,062 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $499,723 | $1,680,833 |
| Median Household Income | $99,936 | $165,352 |
| Average Commute | 27.6 min | 23.6 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 58 |
| Crime Level | Low | 5.0 |
| School Rating | 8.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 241 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.2 | D+40.0 |
C-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →
D
65.7 Score
Santa Clara, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,680,833
Population
131,062
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Santa Clara, CA →