Side-by-side comparison of Plano, TX and Austin, TX — cap rates, rent, prices, and investment metrics.
Cash flow: Plano has the edge with an estimated cap rate of 2.55% compared to Austin's 2.47%. Neither city passes the 1% rule outright, so deal sourcing and value-add strategies become more important. Median home prices are $420,000 in Plano vs $425,000 in Austin, while rents come in at $1,900/mo and $1,850/mo respectively.
Growth & appreciation: Austin is growing faster at 2.8% annually vs Plano's 1.6%. Austin leads on home value appreciation at 3.1% per year. Strong population growth typically translates to sustained rental demand and long-term price support.
Costs & risk: Property taxes are 1.82% in Plano vs 1.68% in Austin. Vacancy rates of 4.8% and 5.2% are both healthy, suggesting strong tenant demand in both markets.
Bottom line: Plano edges out Austin on most key metrics. While cap rates are moderate at 2.55%, Plano's overall profile is stronger. Use our free calculators to model specific deals in Plano or Austin.