Cost of Living in Longview, Texas
Longview by the numbers
Median home value
$202,600± $8,257
29% below Texas ($283,800)
Median rent
$1,101/mo± $31
22% below Texas ($1,403)
Median household income
$63,340/yr± $3,530
19% below Texas ($78,476)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. ± is the 90% margin of error.
Affordability is one of Longview's strongest selling points. Like most of East Texas, the city offers housing costs and everyday expenses well below the national average, with no state income tax and a cost of living that stretches a paycheck further than it would in Austin, Dallas, or Houston.
This is a working city — its economy is built on manufacturing, chemicals, healthcare, and the legacy of the oil industry — and the cost of living reflects that. Here's a realistic look at what it costs to live in Longview.
Housing
Housing is where Longview's affordability is most obvious. The median home value in Longview is about $202,600 (Census Bureau, 2020–24 American Community Survey) — well under the national median of $332,700. That price buys a considerably larger and newer home here than it would in a major Texas metro. The market spans established older neighborhoods near downtown, newer subdivisions on the west and south sides, and rural acreage just outside the city limits.
Renters benefit too. Apartment and rental rates in Longview run below national averages, in line with the rest of East Texas. The trade-off that comes with low home prices in Texas is property taxes, which are relatively high since the state has no income tax — buyers should factor annual property taxes into their monthly housing math.
Income and Everyday Costs
The median household income in Longview is roughly $63,000. That figure is below the national median, but it goes further here because the cost of living is lower — the gap in housing costs more than offsets the gap in wages for most households. The city's poverty rate is about 17%, reflecting the economic range typical of an industrial East Texas city.
Groceries, gas, and routine services in Longview generally track at or below national averages. As a regional retail and medical hub, the city has the full range of stores, restaurants, and healthcare options, so residents rarely have to drive far or pay big-city prices for everyday needs. Utilities are typical for the region, with summer cooling costs being the main seasonal expense.
Taxes and the Bottom Line
Texas has no state income tax, which is a meaningful advantage for working households and retirees alike. The state makes up for it primarily through property and sales taxes, so Longview homeowners should expect property tax rates that are higher than in many other states, even though the underlying home values are low.
The overall picture: Longview is an affordable place to live by national standards, with cheap housing being the headline. For someone relocating from a high-cost metro, the drop in housing costs is dramatic, and the absence of a state income tax adds to the appeal — as long as the property tax line is part of the budget.
FAQ: Cost of Living in Longview
Yes. Longview's cost of living is below the national average, driven mainly by low housing costs. The Census median home value is about $202,600 — well under the national median — and there is no state income tax in Texas.
The Census median home value in Longview is about $202,600, with plenty of options below that in established neighborhoods and higher-priced new construction and acreage available as well.
The median household income in Longview is approximately $63,000. While that's below the national median, the lower cost of living — especially housing — offsets much of the difference.
No. Texas has no state income tax, which benefits Longview residents. The state relies more heavily on property and sales taxes instead, so Longview homeowners should budget for relatively high property taxes despite low home prices.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Longview in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Cost of Living in East Texas
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