Cost of Living in Livingston, Texas

Housing is Livingston's biggest affordability advantage. Home prices here run well below state and national averages — the median home value is about $200,100 (Census Bureau, 2020–24 American Community Survey), though lakefront and newer homes command more. The market includes modest in-town homes, rural acreage in the surrounding Piney Woods, and a wide range of lake-area properties from cabins to waterfront houses.

That affordability, combined with the lake lifestyle, is exactly why Livingston is such a popular retirement and second-home destination. As across Texas, property taxes are the trade-off for low home prices, but overall housing costs remain a fraction of what you'd pay in a Texas metro.

Beyond housing, Livingston's everyday expenses are reasonable. The overall cost of living runs below the national average, with housing the main driver of the savings. Groceries, services, and routine costs are typical for rural East Texas.

As a county seat, Livingston also offers the practical conveniences — grocery stores, healthcare, retail, and services — that many small lake towns lack, so residents don't have to drive far for daily needs. You get low costs without sacrificing basic amenities, a combination that's hard to beat.

Texas has no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for retirees and working households alike. The state relies on property and sales taxes instead, so Livingston homeowners should plan for property taxes even with low home values.

The overall picture: Livingston offers genuine value — inexpensive housing, a below-average cost of living, no state income tax, and a lake-and-forest setting just over an hour from Houston. For retirees, lake lovers, and anyone seeking an affordable place to put down roots, it's one of the better deals in East Texas.