City comparison
No. Chandler's crime index is 61 versus 62 in Plano, and its violent crime index is 38 versus 43, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Plano is cheaper. Median rent is $1,841 a month versus $1,902 in Chandler.
Plano and Chandler are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,841 in Plano and $1,902 in Chandler, and median household income lands at $112,253 versus $108,095. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Plano wins on cost of living and the job market and Chandler wins on safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Plano and Chandler are 875 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,902 a month in Chandler, up $61 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $108,095 in Chandler, down $4,158 (4%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 61 in Chandler, down 1 points (2%).
The move
Chandler and Plano are 875 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,902 a month in Chandler to $1,841 a month in Plano, down $61 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $108,095 in Chandler to $112,253 in Plano, up $4,158 (4%).
The crime index goes from 61 in Chandler to 62 in Plano, up 1 points (2%).
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Chandler, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Plano and Chandler? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Plano rent is 3% cheaper than Chandler
Plano
Winner$1,841/mo
Chandler
$1,902/mo
Typical rent runs $1,841 a month in Plano versus $1,902 in Chandler, so Plano is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $61, or $732 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Plano's median income is 4% higher than Chandler
Plano
Winner$112,253
Chandler
$108,095
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $108,095 in Chandler, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Plano (about $4,158 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
2% lower crime
Chandler's crime index is 2% lower than Plano
Plano
62 (100 = avg)
Chandler
Winner61 (100 = avg)
Chandler's crime index is 61 versus 62 in Plano (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Chandler. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Chandler, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Plano. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Plano and Chandler are about even on typical weather.
Plano
69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chandler
80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs); Chandler averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Chandler sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Plano is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,841 a month. Choose Plano if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Plano is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($112,253). Start with Plano if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Chandler is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Plano (61 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Chandler is cheaper on rent ($1,902/month vs $1,841), but Plano's $112,253 median income beats Chandler's $108,095 by 4%. Remote workers paid on Plano scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
With only $61 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,841 in Plano and $1,902 in Chandler.
Between Plano and Chandler, Plano is ahead on local pay — $112,253 median income against $108,095. Lean Chandler instead when keeping rent near $1,902/month beats chasing $112,253 median income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Plano when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Plano and Chandler, plus other cities in TX and AZ.
