Living in Plano, Texas, as a family in 2026 means access to strong schools, a high quality of life, and abundant parks and recreation, along with a moderate cost of living by big-city standards, but one that is rising with the broader DFW housing market. The city invests heavily in family‑friendly programs, summer camps, and special events that make it easy to build community after you move.
Why Families Choose Plano
- Plano is one of the larger cities in Texas (close to 300,000 residents in 2025), with a suburban feel, diverse population, and many master‑planned neighborhoods.
- The median household income is high (around the low‑$100k range), which supports well‑funded amenities but also drives competition for housing in popular school zones.
- Families often choose Plano over other DFW suburbs due to its reputation for safety, excellent schools, and well-organized youth activities.
Cost of Living and Housing in 2026
- Plano’s cost of living is generally lower than many coastal metros, but housing affordability has tightened across Texas and in the Dallas–Plano–Irving area since 2020.
- Statewide data indicate that home prices and rents are rising faster than incomes, so families moving in 2026 should budget carefully and aim to keep housing costs under 30 percent of their gross income, the standard affordability benchmark.
- Within DFW, the Dallas–Plano–Irving division’s housing affordability index has slipped in recent years, signaling that well‑located single‑family homes in Plano’s best school zones may command a premium.
Parks, Recreation, and Kid Activities
- Plano Parks & Recreation offers a wide range of programs for children and teens, including youth sports leagues, youth swim teams (Plano Aquaducks and Plano Piranhas), and year-round adapted recreation for residents with special needs.
- City-run summer camps include outdoor-focused Camp Cimarron at Bob Woodruff Park South and multiple “Camp Connections” sites at Carpenter, Liberty, and Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Centers, blending arts, crafts, outdoor games, and multimedia activities.
- Families can also participate in seasonal events like Boo Bash, Breakfast with Santa, the Plano Holiday Market, and the Little Sweetheart Dance, which help newcomers meet their neighbors and establish routine traditions.
Recreation Centers, Pools, and Outdoor Spaces
- Recreation center memberships provide residents with access to multiple city facilities and pools, including Carpenter, Liberty, Oak Point, Tom Muehlenbeck, and others within the Plano Parks & Recreation system.
- The city maintains numerous parks, trails, and nature preserves, as well as specialized amenities such as athletic fields, a skate park at Carpenter Park, dog parks, tennis centers, and golf at Pecan Hollow.
- For working parents, having indoor recreation centers, splash pads, and nearby trails makes it easier to keep kids active after school and during the long, hot Texas summers.
Tips Before You Move in 2026 (SEO‑Friendly Takeaways)
- Research neighborhoods by school feeder patterns, proximity to major employers in DFW, and access to parks or recreation centers to balance commute time and family life.
- Plan your 2026 budget using current DFW housing and rent trends, targeting homes that keep you within the recommended 30 percent housing‑cost threshold.
- Build Plano into your long-term family plan by taking advantage of city programs, such as youth sports, swim teams, adapted recreation, and seasonal special events, to integrate quickly after you arrive.
Learn more about Ghazala Shaheen, Realtor in Plano & Richardson
