Cost of Living in Ore City, Texas
Ore City by the numbers
Median home value
$112,500± $59,178
Rough estimate, small sample. Texas: $283,800
Median rent
$1,236/mo± $355
12% below Texas ($1,403)
Median household income
$72,721/yr± $20,582
7% below Texas ($78,476)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. ± is the 90% margin of error.
Ore City offers affordable small-town living in the Piney Woods of northeastern Upshur County, with the bonus of a major recreation lake just up the road and Longview within easy reach. Housing costs run low, everyday expenses are typical of small-town East Texas, and Texas's lack of a state income tax helps every household.
Here's a realistic look at what it costs to live in Ore City.
Housing
Housing is Ore City's biggest affordability advantage. As a small town in the wooded country near Lake O' the Pines, it offers modest homes, established houses, and properties with a little land at prices well below Longview and the larger East Texas cities. Buyers who want a quiet setting near the lake and an affordable monthly payment find good value here.
The trade-off is a smaller market with fewer listings than busier towns, and lakeside or lake-access properties can command more. But for those who want small-town affordability with a destination lake nearby and Longview a short drive away, Ore City delivers. Property taxes apply, as across Texas, though modest home values keep the amounts manageable.
Everyday Costs
Beyond housing, Ore City's everyday expenses are typical of small-town East Texas. The town has a locally owned grocery store and handles many daily needs, while its spot on US-259 makes larger shopping trips easy: Longview to the south offers full retail and services, with Gilmer to the west closer still.
The local economy is small, built on local businesses and the school, and many residents commute to Longview for work. That access keeps more options within reach while preserving Ore City's small-town affordability and quiet pace.
Taxes and the Bottom Line
Texas has no state income tax, a meaningful benefit for working families and retirees alike. The state relies on property and sales taxes instead, so Ore City homeowners should budget for property taxes — though modest local home values keep the amounts manageable.
The overall picture: Ore City is an affordable place to live, with low housing costs, reasonable everyday expenses, and no state income tax, all near a major recreation lake and within easy reach of Longview. For buyers who value affordability, the outdoors, and a quiet small town, it's a solid value in Upshur County.
FAQ: Cost of Living in Ore City
Yes. Ore City is an affordable small town, with low housing costs as a rural Upshur County community, reasonable everyday expenses, and no state income tax in Texas. It also has the appeal of Lake O' the Pines nearby and Longview a short drive south.
Home prices in Ore City run well below those in Longview and bigger cities, reflecting its small-town character. Buyers can find modest homes and properties with a little land at affordable prices, though the market is smaller with fewer listings, and lakeside homes can cost more.
Yes. Ore City's cost of living is low for the region, driven mainly by affordable housing, with everyday costs typical of the region and no state income tax. It offers small-town value near Lake O' the Pines with Longview's amenities a short drive away.
Yes. While Ore City has a locally owned grocery store and a small economy built on local businesses and the school, many residents commute south to Longview for jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and other fields, with Gilmer also nearby.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Ore City in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Cost of Living in East Texas
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