Moving from El Paso, TX to Plano, TX
Relocating 654 mi from El Paso to Plano is a 11h 7m drive through 1 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
654 mi Β· 11h 7m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.7% above El Paso β 89.912 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Paso | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 41.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 14.7% β $58,734 β $108,649 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Plano average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Plano compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $58,734 in El Paso β a 85.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 654 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Plano, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 654 mi and the route typically takes 11h 7m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $234,775 in El Paso β a 112.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Plano more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 14.7% higher than El Paso (103.09 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX Β· Plano, TX.