Plano Lands in Top 5 U.S. Cities for Families
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Choosing where to raise a family is no small decision, and one new survey says Plano might be the best place in the state to put down roots.
Plano ranked fourth in the nation on WalletHub’s 2026 list of the Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family, a report released last week. The ranking reflects how affordability, opportunity, and overall quality of life continue to influence where Americans move. The personal finance company compared more than 180 cities across 45 metrics, including housing costs, school‑system quality, and unemployment rates. The results were compiled to determine which American communities offer the greatest foundation for families.
“Plano ranked 4th overall, placing it firmly in the top-tier of U.S. cities for family life with a total score of 67.98,” said Chip Lupo, an analyst with WalletHub. “The city stands out most for its strong socio-economic profile, ranking second overall in that category.”
Score Card
To determine the best cities for families, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities. The numbers included the 150 most populous and, to be fair to all 50 states, at least two major cities in each state. These cities were measured across five categories: family fun, health and safety, education and childcare, affordability, and socio‑economics.
Plano came out on top in the Lone Star State with its top scores, ranking second overall in socioeconomics, right behind Fremont, CA, which ranked first in the nation in that category. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-families/4435
Plano has become a major hub for corporate employers. The Collin County suburb is home to major employers such as Toyota Motor North America, Liberty Mutual, JPMorgan Chase, Frito‑Lay, and PepsiCo. That corporate presence fuels a robust local economy with low unemployment, high median incomes, and a steady stream of talent drawn to the area’s business climate.
Honorable Mentions
Although Plano was ranked the highest city in the state, other Texas cities also were rated highly. Notable cities on the list were Austin at 22, Grand Prairie at 85, Fort Worth at 87, Arlington at 103, Garland at 113 and Dallas 135.
According to data from MetroTex Association of Realtors, the median price during the first quarter of 2026 in Plano was $507,800. During the same time period, 48.5 percent of all Plano house sales were under $500,000. The median square footage for a residence there is 2,312, with the median price per square foot being $217.28.
In February, the median housing price in Plano was reported as $528,861, according to numbers for HousingData.Report. The numbers suggest a downward trend of 4.1 percent from the previous year, according to the organization’s stats.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Plano’s population was recorded as 285,494 residents, making it among North Texas’ largest suburban centers. The city’s own planning department shows that growth hasn’t slowed. It estimates the 2025 population at 299,262, reflecting the continued popularity of Collin County.
The city’s steady population suggests many families already agree.
