Melissa vs Plano: the data, side by side
On the computed commute grid, Plano posts the shorter free-flow drive to 11 of the six tracked employment centers. Which one wins depends on your workplace — the Fit Engine scores it for your exact profile.
Verified facts
| Melissa | Plano | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Collin | Collin |
| Population (Census Vintage 2024) | 26,194 | 293,286 |
Counties: Melissa — Collin; Plano — Collin. Property tax depends on the taxing units at each address, not the city line alone — see how Texas property tax works.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates · OSRM commute grid 2026-08-09 · full methodology
Commutes compared
| Destination | Melissa | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy West | 29 | 18 |
| Frisco (The Star) | 30 | 22 |
| Las Colinas | 52 | 29 |
| DFW Airport | 55 | 39 |
| Downtown Dallas | 45 | 23 |
| Downtown Fort Worth | 75 | 55 |
| Richardson CityLine | 29 | 6 |
| Addison | 41 | 20 |
| Medical District | 51 | 28 |
| AllianceTexas | 82 | 67 |
| Cypress Waters | 51 | 28 |
Free-flow driving minutes (OSRM model, computed 2026-08-09). Peak-hour drives run meaningfully higher.
Where the commute actually decides it
The employment centers where these two diverge most, free-flow model.
- Las Colinas — Plano is 23 min closer (29 vs 52 min)
- Richardson CityLine — Plano is 23 min closer (6 vs 29 min)
- Medical District — Plano is 23 min closer (28 vs 51 min)
Which one fits your household?
- Melissa: posts no commute edge at any tracked center — its case is area preference.
- Plano: choose it if your commute anchors to Las Colinas (29 vs 52 min), Richardson CityLine (6 vs 29 min) — it wins 11 of the 11 tracked centers.
- Two workplaces? The Fit Engine weighs both commutes together.
Communities to shortlist
In Melissa: Auburndale · Del Webb at Trinity Falls · Prose Stoneridge · The Preserve at Honey Creek
In Plano: Bel Air Oaks · Bell Gateway Village · Broadstone Evoke · Dallas North Estates
Every community page carries its own computed commute grid; the full rosters live on the city profiles.
Score it for your profile
Your workplace and commute ceiling decide this comparison — not our opinion.
Open the Fit EngineCity profiles: Melissa · Plano
Adjacent decisions
Allen vs Melissa · Allen vs Plano · Anna vs Melissa · Anna vs Plano · Celina vs Melissa · Celina vs Plano