Is Plano Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Named by WalletHub as one of the Best Cities for Staycations, Plano, Texas, is known nationwide for its high quality of life and positive business climate.

Whether you’re a family looking for family-friendly activities or a friend group looking for a weekend getaway, Plano has exactly what you’re looking for.

With 1,000 restaurants covering all types of cuisines, Plano is hard to beat when it comes to gastronomic diversity.

From sushi to cafes to Texas-style barbecue, there will always be something to suit your palate.

But that’s far from being everything.

Plano’s 4,370 acres of parkland make it an ideal place for nature lovers.

Plus, shopping enthusiasts can go on sprees at the upscale Legacy West, the chic and trendy Shops at Legacy, and the all-in-one Shops at Willow Bend.

It’s impossible to run out of things to do in the “City of Excellence.”

If you think Plano might be your next travel destination, we’ve got all the information you need.

Warnings & Dangers in Plano

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Recognized as one of the safest cities in the US, Plano is safe for visitors and residents alike. With a crime rate 26% lower than the national rate and 34% lower than Texas’ overall crime rate, Plano is a top destination for both tourists and transplants. Plano has a low overall risk, making it an excellent place to be.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Plano offers many ways to get around, including the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), walking and biking options, and taxis. The most popular taxi services include Plano Taxi Cab, Taxi Plano, and Plano Discount Taxi & Limo, which all have 4.5 or more stars on Google. There are no complaints about safety in the customer reviews for any of the transport and taxi services mentioned above, so we can conclude that the risk is low.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

According to 24/7 Wall St., Plano’s larceny rate is lower than the national average, with 1,314 thefts for every 100,000 people. Larceny theft includes pickpocketing, bicycle theft, and shoplifting. Although there’s no data about pickpocketing specifically, we can conclude from the numbers above that Plano has a low pickpockets risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

With its yearly average of 3 tornadoes, Plano is at high risk for natural disasters. Others include thunderstorms, floods, and hail. But because natural-disaster-related deaths and injuries are extremely rare, our conclusion is that Plano has a medium-to-high risk for natural disasters.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Out of a population of 285,494, Plano has had 114 cases of robbery, giving it a robbery rate of 0.40 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the national rate, which is 0.73 per 1,000 people. Although there’s no mugging-related data in Plano, based on this finding, we can say that Plano has a low mugging risk.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There have been no terrorist attacks in Plano, although there have been terrorist threats. The most recent threat was in 2019 when an ISIS-inspired 18-year-old man plotted a mass shooting at a Collin County shopping mall. Since no actual terrorist attacks have been carried out, we can say that Plano has a low-to-medium terrorism risk.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

No scam-related statistics in Plano are available. However, according to the Plano government website, some of the most common scams in the city are eBay reseller scams, fake friend requests on Facebook, fake foreign currency investments, and check and money order scams. Since it doesn’t appear that any of these scams specifically target tourists, it looks like Plano has a low scams risk.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

According to female forum users and bloggers, Plano is extraordinarily safe for solo female travelers. Plus, there are enough hotel, shopping, dining, and outdoor activity options to suit the needs and preferences of women travelers of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a solo or group getaway, Plano, with its low women traveler risk, is a smart choice.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Because the city of Plano has no active health-based violations of the Safe Water Drinking Act (SDWA) as of December 2021, it appears that Plano has a low tap water risk and that its tap water is safe for drinking and everyday usage.

Safest Places to Visit in Plano

According to Neighborhood Scout, the safest neighborhoods in Plano are:

Robinson Road / Oak Shores Drive, Mcdermott Road / Gifford Drive, Route 121 / W Spring Creek Parkway, Dublin Road / Fm 2514, and Red Wolf Lane / Windhaven Parkway.

For safe and interesting places for tourists, you can’t go wrong with the tourist-friendly places like the shopping malls (Legacy West, Shops at Legacy, and Shops at Willow Bend), the nature parks (Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, and White Rock Trail Park), and Downtown Plano.

Overall, Plano has a low property and violent crime rate, but it’s always wise to stick to the safest areas to ensure your safety, especially if you’re a visitor.

Places to Avoid in Plano

The most crime-ridden areas, according to Crime Grade, are the northwest neighborhoods, where one’s chance of being a crime victim is as high as 1 in 21.

Compare this to the northeast part of the city, where one’s chance is as low as 1 in 59.

A report by Payless Power shows that the most common crimes in the city are theft (1,313.7 per 100,000 people), burglary (216), and aggravated assault (66.5).

That said, the rates for all these crimes are significantly lower than the national rate.

For example, the national burglary rate is 340.5 per 100,000 people.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Plano

So... How Safe Is Plano Really?

Plano is incredibly safe, with crime rates substantially lower than Texas’ overall rate as well as the national rate.

Plus, Plano’s crime rates are steadily decreasing, which means the city is becoming safer for both tourists and residents.

Of course, like any other city in the US, Plano has safer areas and areas that visitors should avoid.

Neighborhoods should probably stay away from the northwest part of the city, where a person’s chance of being a crime victim is as high as 1 in 21.

On the other hand, one’s chances of falling victim to a crime are as low as 1 in 59 in the northeast part of the city.

Popular tourist spots, like the malls, nature parks, and Downtown Plano, are also reasonably safe for visitors, so it’s best to stick to them.

As a whole, Plano poses very low risks for travelers, so you can rest assured that you’ll have a fun-filled, safe, and memorable vacation in Texas’ “City of Excellence.”

How Does Plano Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All US-bound travelers are required to present a passport upon arrival. For business- or tourism-related purposes, however, visas aren’t required for stays shorter than 90 days. But they may be required for permanent residents.

Currency

No foreign currency is accepted in the US, where only the US dollar is used. If you need to exchange your currency, you can avail of currency exchange services at ATMs, kiosks, and businesses sprinkled throughout Plano.

Weather

Plano has four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall), which seem too good to be true for moderate weather lovers, but there are some things to take into consideration. First, summers in Plano are muggy and hot. Secondly, Plano’s winters are windy and cold. Therefore, it’s important to research the weather conditions before visiting because you’ll have to prepare and dress accordingly.

Airports

The closest international airport to Plano is the Dallas/Fort Worth ( DFW ) International Airport, which is 29.4 miles/31 minutes away from the city.

Travel Insurance

This is, by far, the most important, travel-related investment you can make. For a low cost, you can protect yourself against potentially huge financial losses, such as trip cancellations, lost or stolen possessions, or medical emergencies. No one is completely immune from unexpected travel situations, so it’s always a good idea to have a cushion in the form of travel insurance in case anything bad happens.

Plano Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Texas - Safety by City