UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
Plano, TX is the #29 Best City to Live in the USA
| Plano, TX Quality of Life Liv Score 634 How We Calculate Our Data |
|---|
| Civics | 73 |
| Demographics | 71 |
| Economy | 81 |
| Education | 48 |
| Health | 63 |
| Housing | 52 |
| Infrastructure | 49 |
| Amenities | 37 |
Why Plano is one of the best cities to live in
Affordable homes, top-notch schools, and super safe neighborhoods make Plano, TX, one of the best places to live in the U.S. Plano has everything anyone could need in one city. In addition, several Fortune 1000 companies spread across a number of sectors, from insurance to tech, are based in Plano. As a result, this north Dallas suburb is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
Plano residents aren’t just focused on business, though! There are plenty of fun things to do, including lots of good shopping. The Shops at Legacy and Legacy West and a downtown full of local boutiques all contribute to Plano’s reputation as a shopping destination. Art lovers can spend days exploring the Downtown Plano Arts District with its community of performing arts events, galleries, boutiques and concert halls. All this, combined with a diverse population, plenty of green space (more than 4,000 acres of parks!), an abundance of delicious restaurant options and a cute historic downtown, add to Plano’s appeal.
Plano is home to several Fortune 1000 companies in all industries. Additionally, Bank of America, Ericsson, FedEx Office, Toyota, Frito-Lay, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intuit, JCPenney, JP Morgan Chase and Liberty Mutual Insurance all have regional headquarters offices in Plano.
Collin County Community College
The winters are mild, with an average daily high temperature near 63 degrees from November to February. However, the summers are hot and muggy, with summertime highs hovering in the mid-90s.
The 800-acre Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve Trail is the largest park in the city. Locals love kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding on the park’s pond on hot summer days. Eight miles of trails wind through the park for hikers, bikers and runners to enjoy when the weather is not sizzling.
What Locals Love in Plano, TX
Kinokuniya Plano is a small Japanese retailer known for its collection of Asian books and magazines. Manga titles, books and magazines are available in English and Japanese.
Stroll through the brick-lined streets of Plano’s historic downtown arts district, where you can spend the afternoon admiring works of art in local galleries, browsing high-end boutiques or enjoying a scoop from The Gelato Cone.
Head to Haggard Park, which is home to the free Interurban Railway Museum. History buffs will enjoy learning the importance of train travel in the region’s history.
You know the expression: Everything is bigger in Texas, appetite included. Head to the three-story Legacy Hall, which at 55,000 square feet is one of the largest in the country. With 20 stalls, there’s a little something for everyone here.
During the last weekend of September, dozens of colorful hot air balloons take flight during the Plano Balloon Festival. The three-day festival kicks off Friday night with Balloon Glow, where illuminated balloons light up the night sky.
With an affordable cost of living, excellent schools and a strong job market, Plano is a best place to live in Texas.
Thinking of Moving to Plano?
Plano, TX real estate is among the more valuable suburban markets of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area. Homes for sale in Plano, TX are perfect for large, young families, as nearly a third of all homes in Plano have four bedrooms. Real estate agents will point you towards the Willow Bend neighborhood, which is known for being a close-knit suburb of backyard pools and tennis courts.
Quick Facts About Plano, TX
- Average Commute
- 22.56
- Median Home Value
- $393,751
- Med. Household Income
- $97,663
- Total Population
- 301,199
- Walk Score
- 36
- Median Property Tax
- $1,902
